headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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sylvanriv

90s expert

+1262


Submissions

2
Stella Blue
Oct. 10, 1994
USAir Arena

Beautiful version from a totally unheralded show. Jerry's impassioned vocals in the verses blew me away.
3
Cassidy
June 25, 1994
Sam Boyd Silver Bowl, U.N.L.V.

Spacey, LONG, jam. There's a video, and you can see Bob smiling as Jerry somehow nails the last climax of the jam and they slam into the chorus.
3
Cold Rain and Snow
March 23, 1995
Charlotte Coliseum

Hot version - Jerry's guitar tone is thicker than it was in 94, he's totally present and playing some of those added riffs like in 10/12/83.
1
Cassidy
Sept. 18, 1982
Boston Garden

Lots of very under the radar shows in 82. This version is perfectly executed from start to finish - great end jam with huge finish.
1
Uncle John's Band
Dec. 8, 1993
Sports Arena

Pretty hot version. Nice mid solo and shreddy outro that heads into a spacey jam. Great vince contributions and Jerry firing on all cylinders

Comments

Bird Song
Oct. 16, 1981
Melkweg

This is fucking fantastic. Very exploratory, very jazzy/and a little country in there. Skiffle indeed! What a great version.
Casey Jones
April 1, 1995
Pyramid Arena

Just found out about this. Every time I hear another soundcheck that the dead did of a song not played in a while, makes me depressed lmao. eg. Death don't at deer creek 95, st stephen Oakland 1994, etc
It's All Over Now Baby Blue
Oct. 28, 1984
Berkeley Community Theatre

Lots of great versions between 81-84. Notably, this song didn't get worse as Jerry's voice deteriorated -- one of the best versions ever is 12/31/84. This one is competently played, with feeling, but isn't anywhere near the best.
Dark Star
Sept. 22, 1993
Madison Square Garden

This version rocks, if only for the fantastic transition from the Estimated outro - it oozes slowly into spaciness with David Murray's help, and then suddenly without realizing it you're there, in Dark Star. Agree with iknowyourider that this version is the only one post 91/92 that feels coherent. Vince's organ sounds are a nice flashback to 68-69 with Pigpen playing his Vox Continental.
Let It Grow
July 6, 1984
Alpine Valley Music Theatre

Interesting to hear Jerry use a clean tone throughout much of the final jam, something he rarely if ever did in the 80s and 90s. Would like to reiterate here, as I have said before, that no well-known guitarist ever dared to play as fast as Jerry did with a clean tone.