headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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MrMystery

Dead on arrival

+2574


Submissions

5
Big River
April 22, 1986
Berkeley Community Theatre

Check out Jerry's second solo
4
Brown Eyed Women
July 7, 1984
Alpine Valley Music Theatre

In this notoriously shaky year there are often gems to be found among the train wreckage. This BEW is an example. Jerry's solo is spot on
3
Promised Land
Oct. 5, 1984
Charlotte Coliseum

Jerry works very hard to put this one over the top. Check out his last solo
3
Brother Esau
Oct. 14, 1984
Hartford Civic Center

They almost never got this song right, so it's no wonder they stopped playing it. This time they did. Bobby doesn't oversing, drummers are on it.
7
Spoonful
Dec. 28, 1984
sf civic ctr

An intense, raucous version. Great vox by Bobby

Comments

High Time
Nov. 1, 1985
Richmond Coliseum

Listen to the first phrase of Jerry's solo. It's a standard figure that he sometimes uses to begin the song (though not this time), but it is played with such clarity and feeling that it's like a shot through the brain. He briefly struggles to find the right notes immediately after, which only underscores the impact.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Oct. 14, 1983
Hartford Civic Center

When Brent played that genius riff in the intro, his notes shot out into the Hartford Civic Center and bounced around the rafters like balls of sparkly green lightning.
Dire Wolf
June 25, 1985
Blossom Music Center

It's got everything you're looking for in a 1985 DW: quick tempo, plaintive croaking vocals, and a tight pedal steely solo from Jer.
Midnight Hour
April 8, 1985
The Spectrum

Great version with Jerry in good form and humor, quoting the Jackson 5.
Smokestack Lightnin'
March 28, 1985
Nassau Coliseum

Emphatic. Matt Kelly sounds great.