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

Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Dec. 31, 1978
Winterland Arena

Can’t believe I forgot to vote up this version. Greatest NYE show they ever did....everything so good and with so many meaty late set monsters I guess it was easy to take this for granted, but no more. Mellow trippy transition jam, tight as drum Scarlet, deep jammy Fire, no Jerry lyric fumbles. Shines over many that are above it on the ladder.
Playin' In The Band
Dec. 14, 1971
Hill Auditorium

Thx for the link to the remaster, DarkStar....and great recommend all around. I love these mini-jam fests that remind me of the amazing version they recorded for the "Ace" album. This is a keeper for certain.
Franklin's Tower
March 19, 1977
Winterland Arena

Stupendous, outrageous, inspired...probably should be ranked a lot higher...it’s not just Garcia’s ridiculous soloing but the whole damn band that’s crushing it all the way through. Even the quiet sections will make you stop and take note of how much of a mind meld is going on here. This show is totally overshadowed by the May 77 run but there is so much brilliance in this Winterland trio of shows and overall this might be the best. Check out this Tower if you haven’t yet...it’s a stunner.
Eyes Of The World
March 19, 1977
Winterland Arena

So so so so much better than its current ranking (still in the teens? come on) How many versions of EYES in 1977 kick off a second set with a snare drum & then charge out of the gate with Garcia in full hyper-speed jazz control? This one is a triumph of ideas & energy & then gets into a quiet space post lyrics that's really pretty. Unique for the year but typical of its greatness all at once.
Row Jimmy
Dec. 28, 1979
Oakland Auditorium

One of my all time favorite Dead tunes--and this is an underrated version from a show that overall should have more ears on it as well. They take their time with this one without going at too slow a pace. Jerry takes it easy the first instrumental break but the band moves along nicely with him & Bob doesn't overdo the slide, instead making it a nice ride-along...2nd break Jerry opens it up a bit more & the aforementioned double time at the end is a nice topper. Great Sugaree from this show too, btw. This RJ can't touch 3/20/77 but that one broke the mold for good. Other honorable mentions for fans of this song that shouldn't be missed: 4/12/78, 5/3/77 (crazy off the radar good), 9/18/74, & 2/26/73.