headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Houston Head

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Submissions

7
Beat it on Down The Line
April 2, 1973
Boston Garden

Tight, inspired, and full of ideas. A stand-out version from a stand-out show.
8
Sugar Magnolia
March 24, 1973
The Spectrum

Tight, hard-driving, and full of energy. A great rave up after some thoughtful somber passages before.
7
Candyman
June 16, 1991
Giants Stadium

Gorgeous soloing from Jerry and a tender vocal performance. The new mix on the Giants box really lets this one shine.
4
Bird Song
July 22, 1972
Paramount Northwest Theatre

Bobby is dripping trippy chords all over the jam. SUBLIME
5
Casey Jones
July 21, 1972
Paramount Northwest Theater

Surprised this has no votes. This version is played with a level of energy and precision CJ rarely ever got. Great set 2 opener.
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Comments

Truckin'
Feb. 21, 1971
Capitol Theater

It may not be as explosive or exploratory as the versions that would come later in the year, but this is an excellent version for conveying the band's live appeal to someone who has only experienced American Beauty + Workingman's Dead.
Uncle John's Band
Dec. 23, 1970
Winterland Arena

It may be short, but the return to the main theme is powerful and joyous, driven over the edge by exuberant Phil harmonies. Check this one out on Complete Live Rarities or the 03 WMD reissue bonus tracks.
Sugaree
May 3, 1972
Olympia Theater

Before it was a jam spectacle, it was a song. While the song's legacy is understandably bound to the epic versions from '77-'78, versions like this should remind us all what a fantastic song it truly is. Most pre-hiatus versions leave me wanting, but this is a near-perfect, soulful reading of this song elevated by the short-lived organ-piano combo of Pig and Keith.
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
June 10, 1976
Boston Music Hall

Clean tones on Slipknot really allow for the ideas and interplay to shine through.
Cassidy
May 27, 1993
Cal Expo

The transition into UJB us a little bumpy, but the jamming before and after the sandwich is some of the best they ever did on this track.
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