headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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quinn_76

thunder mtn

+1495


Submissions

4
Deal
March 15, 1973
Nassau Coliseum

It swings to a funky swagger; Jerry is in top form here. I think it's the best Deal from the spring '73 tour!
7
Deal
Dec. 18, 1973
Curtis Hixon Convention Hall

It struts & swaggers in that honey, country-tinged '73 way that we've come to relish & rely on. From one of the best shows from one of the best years.
14
Easy Wind
May 7, 1970
DuPont Gym - MIT

A version all true heads should love, or at least hear once.
7
Monkey and the Engineer
Dec. 31, 1970
Winterland Arena

Jerry's sweet voice is extra sweet & clear during the chorus for this version than the ones from October, 1980.
39
Mason's Children
Jan. 24, 1970
Honolulu Civic Auditorium

Monster Mason's. Can't believe this one isn't here yeat. Cleanest, most coherent version. Jerry's guitar tone is pure gold.

Comments

Jack Straw
April 16, 1978
Huntington Civic Center

A great version straight out of the gate! As the above poster observed, this one is a trifle sloppy in moments, but Jerry's licks emote more urgency and emotion than others of the era. For this reason alone I'm adding my vote.
Playin' In The Band
July 1, 1973
Universal Amphitheatre

I’m chiming in here - yet again - in the hopes of tipping someone off to this stupendous version. 1973 (along with the latter half of 1972) is the very best period for PITB, so it stands to reason why it’s so seemingly hard to navigate through so many great versions of one of the key songs that truly define the divine musical glory that’s the Grateful Dead. There are three great Playin’ sandwiches in ’73, but there are a half dozen truly superlative standalone versions that really should be required listening (and voting!) from the honey year: 2/24/73, 3/16/73, 6/22/73, 7/1/73, 10/19/73 & 12/1/73. This night (7/1/73) is a good show in its own right, but it’s clear the musical centerpiece is Playin’, usually a song meant to highlight the first set, not the entire show. But this night was a different animal. Jerry is like Meriwether Lewis here, exploring new territory, ascending steep mountains, carving new paths, and swathing musical prairies along the way. New ground was gained this night. Seriously, do yourself a favor and invest the 25 minutes. It will pay you musical dividends time and again. I highly recommend the excellent sounding AUD source for this show.
Let It Grow
Nov. 4, 1977
Cotterell Gym - Colgate University

Spell-binding and spine-tingling!
The Other One
Nov. 4, 1977
Cotterell Gym - Colgate University

This one really took me by surprise when I first heard it.
Stella Blue
Nov. 4, 1977
Cotterell Gym - Colgate University

Hauntingly beautiful & swirling with sound. Top shelf.