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

Mississippi Halfstep Uptown Toodeloo
Oct. 16, 1989
Meadowlands Arena

Yeah man idk if there's no "across the rio-grande-o" how the heck does this merit 20 votes. It's decent and competently played, what you'd expect from an 89 version, but definitely not a standout
Candyman
March 24, 1988
Omni Coliseum

Just listened. As far as late era goes, I generally like Jerry's voice more post-93, as it's got more dexterity and range, but he sounds fantastic here in his limited range. Beautiful version and drippy solo
Pretty Peggy O
June 17, 1975
Winterland Arena

While all the 77 versions, esp the May ones, are gorgeous, this one is untouchable. The slower tempo, Jerry's perfect guitar work in the verses (let alone the solos), Keith's Rhodes piano, and more than anything else the feeling in Jerry's voice. This is ethereal. I'm left feeling stunned every time I listen to it.
I Want To Tell You
May 24, 1995
Memorial Stadium

Honestly I think this one slaps. Jerry's solo is great. Not sure what you guys are smoking. 10/15/94 is boring compared to this one imo. Plus this one slams right into the best Estimated of the year
So Many Roads
Sept. 28, 1993
Boston Garden

@reichorn -- I guess this is at the heart of the debate about what make the Dead so special. For me, both 8/25/93 and 9/28/93 are great, and Jerry's focused in the solo and raves up nicely (if briefly) at the end. What makes 10/1/94 (and most versions from 94-95) so incredible for me, and I'd venture, a large amount of heads, is that it feels like Jerry is truly baring his soul. In the 10/1/94 version, and I'd argue the 7/9/95 one as well, it feels like he's accessing that unknowable emotional place that we are lucky enough to get to go to with him. On the contrary, for me at least, in the 93 versions it just feels like he's playing the song well. This bit of emotional connection is why we all keep coming back, right? This "emotionality" or whatever you want to call it is especially important in songs like SMR, Stella Blue, you name it. I wouldn't be searching for a special emotional version of Mississippi Half Step, Jack Straw, or Eyes of the World; I'd be looking for a focused one. But when it comes to the songs that allow Jerry to bare his soul a little, give me a 94 version any day. of course, another special thing about the dead is that we all get to have our own bits and pieces of their music that we love. So to each their own - and how great is that!