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

Jack Straw
Oct. 14, 1994
Madison Square Garden

This one's heady. Jerry nails the fast runs he used to play all the time on stuff like this years prior but generally wasn't able to by 94. I think this show has sort of a reputation for being mediocre besides the S/F, but honestly all of it is at least good if not excellent, and this is a prime example.
Cassidy
June 17, 1991
Giants Stadium

Love this one. Bruce's Dark Star teases in the intro theme around 2 minutes are perfect.
All Along the Watchtower
Oct. 17, 1994
Madison Square Garden

As far as shred, this is as good as it got in 94. Jerry tries really hard for those fast runs he used to nail in the late 80s and early 90s but just can't quite make it. I assume he was energized, especially for this particular song, by Dylan's presence backstage.
Candyman
June 2, 1995
Shoreline Amphitheatre

The solo slaps. Great and surprising runs from 95 Jerry - I think this is better than the Memphis version, but I appreciate that one's significance
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Oct. 14, 1994
Madison Square Garden

The Scarlet is not incredible (good vox, though), and most of Fire is just good, although it's 94, so good is already impressive. Where this version really shines is the final solo - Jerry takes off and his intense playing lights up the crowd. Worth it just for the crescendo in the last five minutes. UPDATE: Changed my opinion. The Scarlet solo is great - Jer extends it over and over again. Not peaking as hard as Scarlet solos like those from 6/18/83, 3/22/90 or even 4/20/84, but excellent and as creative as a Scarlet solo could get in these years. Jerry clearly doesn't want to stop playing.