headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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quinn_76

thunder mtn

+1495


Submissions

7
Mind Left Body Jam
Oct. 30, 1973
Kiel Auditorium

Sandwiched between a dreamy Dark Star. Not the definitive version perhaps, but it belongs in the discussion.
33
Cold Jordan
May 2, 1970
Harpur College

Can believe this one isn't already here! A beautiful version from one of the top five shows ever played.
11
Casey Jones
May 26, 1972
Strand Lyceum

Near flawless version from a near flawless tour. The whole band is locked in on the home stretch here, and keith is hammerin' away on those ivories..
15
Beat it on Down The Line
May 3, 1972
Olympia Theater

Tight, inspired, rockin'. Best of the Euro '72 run. Give it some love, folks!
19
Deal
May 11, 1972
Rotterdam Civic Hall

One knows from Jerry's opening vocals "cost a lot to win" sung with extra twang, that it's gonna be rockin' with that good county, funky vibe.

Comments

Bird Song
March 16, 1973
Nassau Coliseum

^ Good call my friend. Love that version (and that show). Have you heard the Bird Song from St. Paul Auditorium on 2/17? That one, along w/ 3/16 & 6/22 are my favorites from the year.
Dark Star
Nov. 11, 1973
Winterland Arena

^^^ Couldn't agree more!
Terrapin Station
May 17, 1977
Memorial Coliseum

It's hard for me to make a clear distinction between all the Terrapins played during the period. It's an epic composition, full of wonder, movements and moods. But it's a restricting composition, disallowing much room room for improvisation or jamming - the very thing that keeps most of us heads yearning for more. This version is indeed great, yet I listen to 5/19, 9/3, 11/2 and 1/22/78 because they are among my most favorite shows. Listening to all these versions back to back -- along with 5/17 -- I realize that 5/17 is every bit as good, if not better. But the margin of "better" is minuscule at best. What I struggle to grasp, however, is why the version played on 2/26 has more than double the votes than the version holding the current #2 slot. One would think that something miraculous happened during the version played on 2/26.
Clementine
Feb. 2, 1968
Crystal Ballroom

Hadn't listened to this one in a long while... Hearing this little gem was a breath of fresh air. The version played on 1/26/69 is more daring, exploratory and longer, but this version is more focused and realized. To my ear, it's the definitive version of the 5 they played, and I can see (hear) why it was chosen for the 'So Many Roads' boxset.
The Music Never Stopped
Aug. 7, 1982
Alpine Valley Music Theatre

I'll have to agree with the sentiment of the last three reviewers. This version benefits from voter inflation due to the novelty sandwich and having been officially released. Taken as individual songs, neither is best-of material (although they're quite inspired). That said, this one still gets my vote because I enjoy this combo, and it's from what I consider the last great year of the Grateful Dead before the '89-'90 renaissance.