headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

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

Man Smart, Woman Smarter
July 12, 1989
RFK Stadium

Superior jam between verses. Hornsby as noted is a great addition but Brent is spectacular too and Jerry goes way past midi to get after the true guitar grit in his soloing. Easily a top 3 version all time.
Uncle John's Band
Aug. 26, 1971
Gaelic Park

Five now. This is outstanding, surprisingly so for an early incarnation. Great confident in control outro jam. Up it.
Not Fade Away
July 4, 1989
Rich Stadium

^^^^ 100% true. NFA became a garbage late 2nd set throwaway in the late 80s with little jamming replaced by gimmicky hand clapping, crowd chanting and "Mmm-bop" repetition. This one has about 28 votes too many.
China Doll
Dec. 29, 1977
Winterland Arena

I've never been a huge fan of this song and my favorite version is probably the acoustic from Reckoning but for any electric version this is by far the one I keep coming back to for beauty, flow, grace, and execution. What a show this is up and down the lineup!
Shakedown Street
Aug. 13, 1979
McNichols Arena

The more Shakedowns I spin from '79 the more convinced I am that the song was performed better and more consistently funky in this year than any other and this one from Denver is just the latest to make my personal list. Go immediately to the Miller SBD and get ready for Phil's insanely chunky thick fuzz bass bonanza!
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