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

Wharf Rat
Feb. 18, 1971
Capitol Theater

This one and the first Terrapin from 2/26/77 are both where they are based on the novelty of being first. If you heard this version of Wharf Rat having no knowledge of its date of origin you couldn't possibly put it in a top 10 category, much less #1. As cgarces points out, you can pick a random Rat from virtually any 1977 show and have it blow the doors off this version. (Try 10/7/77 just for kicks.)
Ship of Fools
July 16, 1990
Rich Stadium

Really impressed with this. While it won't do anything to displace my fave all time of 5/9/77 it is worthy of a top 5 version candidate and hands down best of the 90's. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. This is also exhibit A for why there are certain songs only Jerry could pull of vocally, no offense to the fine efforts in these last Santa Clara/Chicago shows of 2015. But like Morning Dew, Ship of Fools NEEDS Jerry's voice to be Ship of Fools, and he's in fine form here.
Dark Star
Sept. 10, 1974
Alexandra Palace

There's a very pretty section here at around the 15, 16-minute mark that is unlike any other version I've heard. Reminds me a little of Earl Klugh doing "So Many Stars"...it's quiet and lovely and not at all dissonant...just before they launch into the verse. This whole version is on the mellow side and I really like it for that. It doesn't reach any major peaks or rev into any known themes such as Tighten Up Jam but in its own elegant way, this Dark Star stands out and gets my upvote.
The Race Is On
May 3, 1986
Cal Expo

Candidate for best show of '86, which is like being the fastest kid in the slow-runner's race...but still, this IS probably the best electric version of Race Is On I've ever heard. They nail it. Jerry's backing vocals alone are worth the price of admission on this one--he sounds great.
Wharf Rat
May 1, 1981
Hampton Coliseum

True on all counts.
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