headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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DonnieInMT

GDTRFB

+15128


Submissions

1
Hard to Handle
July 1, 1970
Winnipeg Fairgrounds

The only recording available, it starts in the middle of the instrumental break.
5
Big River
Nov. 24, 1978
Capitol Theatre

Cool uptempo version with solid vocals.
15
Johnny B. Goode
Dec. 26, 1979
Oakland Auditorium

Hot one on Dick's Picks 5.
3
Sugar Magnolia
Oct. 5, 1984
Charlotte Coliseum

A very strange opening - it sounds like Jerry doesn't want to play it.
1
Death Don't Have No Mercy
Sept. 2, 1968
Betty Nelson's Organic Raspberry Farm

Only part of the intro survives, but what's there sounds good.

Comments

Box of Rain
Sept. 12, 1991
Madison Square Garden

Some people like Phil's singing. Then again, some people like their mother-in-law. Jerry does his best on guitar, although there isn't much room to work with. My annoyance lessened when the rest of the band joined in on vocals. Man, talk about leaving a show bummed out!
Cold Rain and Snow
Sept. 26, 1991
Boston Garden

There were some questionable decisions here. The sluggish tempo, Bruce playing the accordion, Bob throwing out some ill-timed trumpet noise. The upside is some nice bass work from Phil, some very well placed notes from Vince and Jerry hitting the high notes surprisingly well.
Wave to the Wind
March 3, 1992
The Omni

Is this supposed to be Phil's version of Desolation Row? If it's a joke, it's not funny. This is one of the reasons I stopped seeing the Dead.
Ain't It Crazy (The Rub)
Dec. 1, 1971
Boston Music Hall

Available as a brutal audience recording. It sounds like a decent version, but it will probably give you a headache. Something you'd only want to listen to once.
100000 Tons of Steel
June 14, 1987
Ventura County Fairgrounds

Nothing like 900 thousand tons of steel to kill the good vibes that Sugaree just created.