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

Terrapin Station
June 26, 1994
Sam Boyd Silver Bowl

You have to give these guys credit - whenever they blew a show, or part of a run, or even a whole tour, they really brought it the next time around. This show followed two of the worst clunkers the Dead ever played on 6/24 and 6/25, and while it's not perfect, it's got a hot setlist and really decent playing. This terrapin rocks.
Eyes Of The World
June 26, 1994
Sam Boyd Silver Bowl

Love that metaphor as well - this is a sweet version with lots of decent playing from Jerry. I would hesitate to say that the lack of urgency is necessarily a good thing. In retrospect, with 25 years between us and this performance, this is certainly an enjoyable version, but I'd hesitate to say that these mellow valleys that the song flies through were intentional (or if they were, it was because Jerry couldn't handle playing more intensely than this). I'd more say that they're representative of a band dealing with 25+ years of burnout (as per Jerry), and who were practically incapable of using dynamics by this time. The thing about Eyes, in my view, is that it demands fluid use of dynamics and some excitement in the solos. Definitely a nice version overall for the era, though. A couple other good 94 versions are 7/3 and 10/17.
Cold Rain and Snow
Feb. 3, 1978
Dane County Coliseum

I appreciate both of your commentary. I always told myself I’d never be Deader than thou and it seems that I now am — but all I’ll say is that I think it’s unfortunate that so many fantastic versions languish with so few upvotes, when versions like this sit so high. Take it as you will.
Cold Rain and Snow
Feb. 3, 1978
Dane County Coliseum

Always appreciate your excellent commentary, Grendel. I think most heads fall victim to this bias (and wouldn't we like to think we're better than it!), but it's especially prevalent here, where ranking is specifically the goal. I would say that first-set songs are more likely to be overrated by a majority of listeners than second set, as there's only so many ways a first set song can set itself apart. Thankfully CR+S is one of those that easily can with a good vocal - and this version doesn't have one. I'll take 4/20/84 any day.
Cold Rain and Snow
Feb. 3, 1978
Dane County Coliseum

Exceptionally overrated. Many versions even from this year are better (see Red Rocks 7/7/78). Nothing more than an average version. Shocked to see this at the top. Nearly all versions from 70-72 and 83-85 eclipse this one.