headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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quinn_76

thunder mtn

+1585


Submissions

1
Loser
Oct. 30, 1980
Radio City Music Hall

Best Loser you haven’t heard yet! Jerry takes the solo for an extra walk around the block! Required listening folks!
1
Candyman
March 7, 1981
Cole Field House

Jerry’s tone is just impeccable here! Moreover, Jerry adds a tad more umph to the soulful vocals. A standout of the era!
2
Big River
Oct. 21, 1973
Omaha Civic Auditorium

Blazing version, but I nominated it primarily for its placement within the context of the tasty Playin'->Half-Step->Big River->Playin' sandwich.
3
Deal
June 30, 1973
Universal Amphitheatre

Jerry's pipes never sounded sweeter, and Keith's barrel-house piano chops complements perfectly!
6
Deal
July 17, 1976
Orpheum Theatre

Deserves mention.

Comments

Shakedown Street
Nov. 20, 1978
Cleveland Music Hall

Funky, inspired licks by Jerry. And the segue into If I Had The World is seamless and brilliant.
Black Peter
Aug. 6, 1974
Roosevelt Stadium

This show is deserving of all the accolades it's garnered over the years. Indeed, nearly every song played on this date represents a definitive version of the era, and the Eyes & Playin'->Scarlet->Playin' is quite rightly legendary!
Stella Blue
Aug. 10, 1982
Iowa Fieldhouse - University of Iowa

Beautiful, inspired version for sure. A stellar show from a splendid summer tour.
Shakedown Street
Aug. 13, 1979
McNichols Arena

1979 reappraisal is seemingly a theme of late on this site. A newbie might be led to believe it's among the top five years of the Dead's musical output based on the ratio of attention its garnered lately. I don't think so, but if folks believe it's in the same caliber of 1972-1974, 77-78, then so be it. Different strokes for different folks. This is a solid Shakedown, no doubt, but can't touch the best ones of 1981 imho.
Eyes Of The World
Feb. 15, 1973
Dane County Coliseum

Contrary to some, I'm ok with this version listed among the top ten. I happen to endorse this version for the same reason some nay sayers oppose it!. For me, it's partly about the outro material, the so-called "coda". Being the second time played live, it's no doubt in the embryonic stage, but that doesn't necessarily warrant criticism. This version is uniquely its own. A singular, unique jam from 1973? Yes please! What some seemingly see as a disadvantage for being a novice coda is a misguided judgement in my opinion. The alleged "disadvantage" could be turned on its head to claim the advantage because this jam has no set bounds yet, allowing for the thrill that spontaneity can bring. Instead of the blueprint coda that we've come to expect and love for the '73-'74 versions, this ending jam is simply unbridled joy, in that stony, adventurous and whimsical 1973 "honey year" way. There was no coda played like this before or since. Yes, the very best versions of this song (9/7/73, 10/29/73, 11/11/73, 6/18/74, 8/6/74, 10/19/74) have the coda down pat, but that's not the point here. Another thing to consider is the segue from Dark Star into this Eyes. It's some of the most magical two minutes of Grateful Dead music captured on tape. This revelation shouldn't be discounted when factoring in this version of Eyes as a whole.