headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

grendel

Books and Music

+24533


Submissions

49
Jack Straw
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

There are longer versions, but none has a better bridge jam than this one. My favorite version ever--must listen!
88
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Feb. 24, 1974
Winterland Arena

Hard-charging drumming from Billy leads the way. Best MLB jam in this pairing I've ever heard. Hard to believe it wasn't listed yet.
37
Cassidy
Oct. 12, 1983
Madison Square Garden

Intense build-up jam, perfect touch-down. Weir absolutely nails it. My favorite version all-time
21
Shakedown Street
Jan. 10, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

Laser-focused, perfect rendition, start to finish. Super-funky with awesome Jerry fuzz-guitar, rock-blues jamming post-vocals
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

Comments

Comes A Time
July 17, 1976
Orpheum Theatre

Never get tired of hearing that gorgeous outro jam.
Franklin's Tower
Nov. 29, 1980
Alligator Alley Gym, University of Florida

I wish they'd made more attempts at Shakedown>Franklin's. While the transition here isn't in their seamless transition hall of fame, it's not awful, and it is fun and adventurous if nothing else, but lost in discussion of the hand off is how good this standalone Franklin's really is. What I love most about it is how direct it is. No meandering here like many longer (and higher ranked) versions are. Jerry just attacks every lead and the band is fully cranked up behind. There's nary a note wasted here and there's a lot to get excited about, plus the novelty of emerging from the shake. Easy ups for me on this one.
Sugar Magnolia
June 20, 1983
Merriweather Post Pavilion

Frenetic, energetic, explosive especially in the latter part of the tune, but, it has to be said...pretty darn sloppy overall. Donnie's criticism might be a bit overdone but he's not totally wrong. Can't upvote this one even though the energy of it is undeniable. Must have been a blast to be there.
Wharf Rat
Dec. 27, 1977
Winterland Arena

Lost in a sea of great Rats from this year, I suspect, but yeah, like almost every song/show from the end of this Winterland run, this one is outstanding.
Cassidy
March 28, 1985
Nassau Coliseum

Three tiered monster, every turn executed beautifully, a fine example of a long version success. Would likely have more votes if a strronger SBD version was available but there's a decent one to be found. Worth the listen.