headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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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
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Comments

It Must Have Been The Roses
Feb. 22, 1974
Winterland Arena

This is how I actually like Roses to be played. The faster, more countrified tempo works better to me than the more drawn out ballad this song would become in later years...beautiful as many of those were. Jerry's vocals are also great in this one and the song loses none of its melancholy longing for the faster and crisper clip at which it's played.
Cold Rain and Snow
June 17, 1976
Capitol Theater

Jumps right into a fine Big River as well. Great eclectic not-your-typical set list for this show, esp. 2d set.
Cassidy
June 17, 1976
Capitol Theater

Digging this whole show now. Love the drums in these chill '76 versions. The big jams that would come in later years are absent but especially with the incredibly clear Miller source available you hear how brilliantly Mickey and Billy fill the gaps and propel the song forward.
Franklin's Tower
April 10, 1978
Fox Theatre

Franklin's out of Drums is nuts & there's a great Eyes-like mellow and long intro to this one & for those who like stretchy Franklin's this one clocks in around 16 mins. As noted, though, Jerry can't get out of his own way with the lyrics and just repeats a bunch of verses. For me it's just too sloppy for an upvote, but that said it should be checked out for some inspired jam sections and its unique set placement. You may feel it's worthy of some more votes and I wouldn't really put up much fight on that front.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Nov. 18, 1978
Uptown Theatre

Underdog. Hidden gem. Single digit sleeper. This is the musical equivalent of finding a great hole in the wall cafe that only the locals know about. Easy to miss, but so worth checking out.
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