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

Death Don't Have No Mercy
Oct. 9, 1989
Hampton Coliseum

While the first 89 version has more shred, this one is more cohesive with a more intentional solo and fantastic tone from Jerry.
Pretty Peggy O
June 26, 1994
Sam Boyd Silver Bowl

Would also like to acknowledge Vince's excellent contribution to this version. When he was given sounds that were closer approximations of a real piano, his color and fills shine through - have a listen at 1:20 and tell me that doesn't work nicely. Brent always needed to be at the front, but Vince was comfortable filling in the empty space as needed and he shines in some of these sparse later arrangements.
Victim Or The Crime
June 27, 1995
The Palace

The victim itself is one of the worst versions I've ever heard, Jerry's barely there. The jam, however...it's not life changing, but for 95, this is serious business. Jerry's present and takes it places with the help of the drummers and Vince, especially. A really lovely bit of playing. Certainly the last meaningful jam the band played, and especially when you consider the context, it makes you wonder what happened, and why the band never tried something like this before.
Ship of Fools
July 8, 1978
Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Unreal version. Jerry's vocals are perfect, and don't even get me started on the solo. I was gobsmacked when I first heard this one by the lovely and special something extra Jerry adds to the vocals here, and you know what? I still am.
Terrapin Station
April 5, 1991
The Omni

Absolutely lovely to hear Bruce take the mid solo. Sounds beautiful. 91 has a pretty much endless supply of gems if you look hard enough.