headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

12
Candyman
March 24, 1988
Omni Coliseum

Lucky enough to be at this show. Candyman blew everyone away--best song played that night. Awesome trippy guitar jam &Jer belts out vocals
42
Ramble On Rose
May 19, 1977
Fox Theatre

Gorgeous, incredible, up and down, carnival-like bridge jam by Jerry. Picture perfect version--no flaws
43
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
April 8, 1978
Veterans Memorial Coliseum

April '78 S>F's often mentioned are 4/16 and 4/24 (rightly so) but this one is every bit as good. Superior transition jam--, beautiful, & powerful
94
Eyes Of The World
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

Starts out Jazzy, explorative, takes its time, 3 minute intro, then blasts off into the stratosphere with intense Garcia-led jamming

Comments

China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Oct. 2, 1972
Springfield Civic Center

This is winner on every level and the Miller source as noted is just killer, with lots of clarity and punch. You can almost sense an approach to the MLB jam, as it's late '72 and they'd start incorporating that bridge in '73. But even with its absence there's a good bit of Garcia exploring different peaks and valleys before transitioning into Rider. Very nice indeed.
Uncle John's Band
Sept. 27, 1972
Stanley Theatre

jbrucer is right, This sounds so much better via archive sources. Jerry's guitar really comes alive and the jamming here is surprisingly raucous for a '72 version. Just amazing. Hot middle jam & outro as well. Great rendition
Let It Grow
Sept. 11, 1982
West Palm Beach Auditorium

Must agree, especially that this show is seriously under-appreciated. This LIG has that '81-'82 magic to it. Check it and then go right to the Scarlet>Fire. You won't be disappointed.
Deal
July 19, 1989
Alpine Valley Music Theatre

Deserthead is spot on. We don't need to be lectured on the qualities of JGB. And yes, those bands played fine Deals. Some may be "better" than some Dead versions, others are not. And I'll put up the Deal from 5/1/81 against any JGB version ever with no doubts of its superiority. I'm sure there are many others here who have their own favorites for which they'd do the same. This Alpine version is indisputably Heady, regardless of whether there may be a JGB version that can top it. You want to tout the qualities of JGB Deals, Donnie, go right ahead. But the declaration that these top Dead versions on the board here are somehow lacking, even in comparison, is just plain ignorant .
Casey Jones
Aug. 4, 1974
Philadelphia Civic Center

Love the slow, snaky cadence to this, especially for the lyrics. This song was always best when Jerry really nailed the lyrical parts and the windy groovier delivery here allows him to emphasize certain words and phrases. Ton of fun encore rendition from a great DP (31). .