Grateful Dead Best version EVER?

Post reply Log in to post comments

June 4, 2007 - 10:00am

327 replies

marye

Joined:
May 26, 2007

So, what are your all-time greats?

Comments

sort by

Recent

Recent Oldest A to Z Z to A

Reset

March 22, 2012 - 6:27am

#61

wilfredtjones

Joined:
June 4, 2007

it's 12-6-89

Reading the reviews, it was quite important to a lot of folks that were there. It was the Earthquake benefit. 12-6-89 from Oakland. It sounds nice with Clarence Clemons. FWIW, My fave SOTM is 12-28-91.http://www.archive.org/details/gd89-12-06.sbd.miller.14917.sbeok.shnf
March 21, 2012 - 9:35pm

#62

Harrington

Joined:
February 20, 2012

Best SOTM

So that was Clarence! It was just amazing, I was reading a book about Garcia and there was some mention of this show, or something that made me think I might have a copy of this show, anyways... I went searching and it was just so cool when I realized I had a great quality cassette of the very show I was reading about. Thanks, Wilfred T. and be well for many years. Harrington p.s. (no longer black lassie - identity crisis lol)
March 21, 2012 - 3:39pm

#63

hippyjameZ

Joined:
May 4, 2008

Found a Groovy site for Best Versions ...

http://headyversion.com/ love searching through these and listening to all the submissions ...
March 19, 2012 - 12:04pm

#64

marye

Joined:
May 26, 2007

in general

I think forgetting the lyrics often proved a real godsend for the jamming...
February 28, 2012 - 10:42am

#65

Sun King

Joined:
September 19, 2007

SPAMMER!

go away samson77
February 28, 2012 - 8:56am

#66

Harrington

Joined:
February 20, 2012

Need help identifing date of "best" "Standing on the Moon"

Back in the early '90s I became friends w/ a serious taper nicknamed "Rockitt" from Jersey via school in Albany (Rockitt if you read this it's Pat). Anyways he used to cut tapes for me when we got together. I never labeled them thinking I'd have a hobby when I got older and had the time - well time's here! After about 70 or so shows I ended up pretty familiar with our heros! I also realized that my friend Rockitt cut me tapes of some of the best shows ever, for which I will be forever grateful. So: I have a set that looks like a New Year's set but I'm not sure. I can hear Brent and a horn player, the set list is Scarlet>Sugar Mag>Ship of Fools>Terrapin Drums/Space Wheel>Watchtower>Standing on the Moon>sunshine Daydream Jam It contains a version of Standing on the Moon that's better than any other version ever or just about any other tune from any live performance from anyone ever (can you tell I really like this cut (and I'm nuts...)?)! Any help with the date will be mucho appreciado - I know I could hunt for it, but I'm just too arthritic and medicated sometimes.... Thanks
January 2, 2012 - 3:04pm

#67

bessbeetle@yahoo.com

Joined:
June 20, 2007

Best Jack Straw

Ok, I know "best" is a loaded term, but I always go back to 6/16/91 Set 2 for the tasty licks.
December 1, 2011 - 1:20am

#68

flavaham

Joined:
November 11, 2010

Need your best Crazy Fingers

I've been playing/learning Crazy Fingers on guitar so I'd like to hear some of your favorites! I've been listening to the version from One From the Vault and also downloaded a show from Winterland, 6/17/75 (first version of the tune). I like both versions a lot, but I'm sure someone on hear can pick one just off of the top of their head that will blow my mind!! Haha. Thanks! -Gabe
October 13, 2011 - 6:37am

#69

samson77

Joined:
October 13, 2011

Great things in business are

Great things in business are never done by one person, they are done by a team of people.Thanks for sharing the informative post. Regards. Sell Iphone
September 2, 2011 - 9:41pm

#70

hd2k

Joined:
June 24, 2011

My favorite "modern day" versions....

While there are MANY great versions of Scarlet > Fire, and they change in overall sound from each "period". For example: the early '74 versions of Scarlet are generally shorter, non-jammy numbers. When Fire hit the scene, it originally wasn't a barn burner (but was more-so than the early Scarlets). When the boys hooked 'em together, they were on to one of their great song marriages. The mid-late '70's versions are VERY different from the early '80's versions, and these are VERY different from the late '80's versions. However, in early 1990 (I believe the Oakland Chinese New Year run 02-25 thru 02-27) the boys first started playing with MIDI. I may be a bit biased 'cuz this was my first show, but the Scarlet > Fire from 02.26.1990 is freekin' AMAZING!!! The segue jam goes all over the place, includes church bells at one point, Mickey makes a beast of himself, and the jam comes close (several times) to dissolving in to Space. Ok, Jerry forgets the lyrics more than once in Scarlet, and at least once in Fire, but musically it's monumental. Bobby also completely destroys the Bucket lyrics to open the show. Since it was my first show, I wasn't very familiar with the "natural order" of a Dead show, and the blue unicorns had me quite out-there, so I didn't realize what I had actually experienced until years later when I finally rec'd a tape. The show BLEW MY MIND, but everyone's first show does. It wasn't until much later when I listened to the tape (over and over and over) that I realized what a fun 1st set it was, and how AWESOME that Scarlet > Fire is. That is easily my all-time favorite Scarlet > Fire (but I'm biased ;) ). Of course, I have many other "2nd place" versions, but the version from Oakland 02.26.1990 is easily my favorite. The rest of the 2nd set includes a nice Playin > Terrapin > Drumz, and a somewhat rare Baby Blue encore. I discovered the boys a bit late in their careers together, but managed to see over 125 shows in 5 short years, and I feel VERY lucky to have even seen one. So many people missed out on a truly unique amazing and fascinating experience. The entire second set from Brendan Byrne 04.01.88 is a beast. On paper, the set list almost looks like a "greatest hits" set (I've seen this set labeled as "generic 2nd set material" just because of the songs played, but it's HOW they were played that matters, right?). I know it from memory I've listened so many times: China > Rider; Estimated > Eyes > Drumz > Space > Other One > Wharf Rat > Throwing Stones > Not Fade Away; E: Brokedown Palace. The China > Rider is awesome, a tad short, but the power of it leaves you speechless. The post-Drums is where the true force of the set lies. The jam from Space into The Other One is amazing, and The Other One is one of the most truly mind blowing and experimental-yet-cohesive versions I've ever heard (from '85-'95); plus it has really cool "laser" sounds! While some people don't truly appreciate Throwing Stones, the version here doesn't stop building and jamming. The energy in it ebbs and flows, and at moments you don't think it can build anymore, then it explodes to a whole different ecstatic level - it ROCKS! I think this show was released as a Dick's Picks or Road Trips CD set, and it's is truly worthy of such a release. Standing On The Moon from Eugene Oregon 08.21.1993. Amazing. Truly amazing. Brings me to tears every time. Jerry is so powerful and heart-felt... wow. I'm getting goosebumps and my eyes are tearing up just thinking about it..... Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Franklin's Tower - Eugene Oregon 08.22.1993. Again - awesome. This was the 2nd set opener. It was excellent when I saw it at Autzen, and even better when it caught me surprise on the David Gans Grateful Dead hour . . . . uhhhh . . . . WOW! Jack Straw - Eugene Oregon 08.22.1993 - this was the show opener, and Bobby's guitar was giving him some type of problem, so he walked off stage in mid-song. I was in the bleachers behind the stage and saw Bobby literally smash the guitar to the ground. While this was going on backstage, Jerry started jamming.... and jamming, and jamming, and he jammed a bit after that jam, and followed that with another jam. It rocked! There was also a microphone issue, at one point Jerry just comes in with "...change, ain't that Heaven sent...." instead of "...took my rings and four bucks in change, ain't that Heaven sent...". Again, I was there and I may be biased, and again, I didn't realize just how awesome this Jack Straw was until I heard it on tape a couple of weeks later. I was too wrapped up in watching Bobby backstage throwing the guitar around and getting all POed! (yes - I was at this Eugene run, and the entire run will stay with me FOREVER! It wasn't only the music, it was everything- this was one of the few venues where there was still parking lot camping next to the stadium, and what a great spot: right next to the Willamette river in beautiful Oregon; naked folks swimming in the river, climbing the trees.... I did every Eugene run in the '90's and camped each time, and the '93 run was IMO by far the best; I'm getting all teary-eyed-and-goosebumpy again just thinking about it) I didn't list anything before 1985 for a reason, there are already SO MANY great versions of great songs already listed here from what is generally recognized the Grateful Dead's "heyday": up to 1977/78, that I decided to list my favorites from the "modern age" of the Dead.

John Perry Barlow

John Perry Barlow

Forums

Personal Favorites

So, what are your all-time greats?

best is subjective, but these versions are my favorites and they are all from 2/18/1971, last show with Mickey for several years ... *Bertha *Loser Hard to Handle *Wharf Rat (with Beautiful Jam!) Me and My Uncle Me and Bobby McGee Big Boss Man Candyman Uncle John's Band * - first time ever played Bertha is very cool because it has this little coda at the end of the song, and this version is the only time it was ever played. My 3rd show, and the first time I was ever psychedelic at a show. New Riders opened the show with a great set. One of the best nights Jerry ever had, imho. You can't go wrong with this show.

Morning Dew 12 30 1987

This one will give you goose bumps.

China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider 06/22/74

First night of two at the Jai-Alai Fronton in Miami. This is without a doubt my favorite China/Rider of all. The jam out of China Cat is second to none in my opinion. It is a complete work of art filled with masterful playing by all, with with one peak after another, a continuously building crescendo that literally explodes into Rider. The first time I heard it, it nearly blew my mind and still has an incredible effect on me to this day.

Mr Charlie

Hollywood Bowl? 1971. pure funk. I barely even recognized it the first time I heard it. I really like "traditional" Mr C...but this one is tops...IMO, of course. Your mileage may vary

Black Peter, Illinois

My personal favorite is the peformance of "Black Peter", Northern Illinois University, 1977.
I am from europe, and was studying at the university from 1976-1979. I didnt know the dead before that show, but i have loved them ever since. Love from Denmark.

Best regards
Søren Jespersen
Writer at https://bedste-blackfriday-tilbud.dk/

In the end - Linkin Park

Just for today...

Cow Palace New Years Eve 1976. Simply because I just listened to it! No doubt, tomorrow will bring a new favourite 😎

Loser 10/15/76

This one doesn't show up on headyversion, but it's a really good one.

https://relisten.net/grateful-dead/1976/10/15/loser?source=90753

Linkin Park is the best all…

Linkin Park is the best all time.

Terrapin

I had a whim to find a Terrapin above Terrapins. The one that will send shivers down my spine and fill me up with cascading sound fields each and every listen.

I listened to all the ones I have, not that many, maybe 6-7 and this is what I found:

The infamous version from Englishtown '77 still stands out quite a bit. It was my first show and I thought I was just playing favorites, but indeed it quite a wonderful version.

The other one I liked was from 03/03/1990 Nassau Coliiseum

It was also and quite education to listen to Robert Hunter Jack O' Roses acoustic studio version which clocks in at 15:58

But, I thought I would ask here as I know I will get some solid sound advice.

My personal favorite is the peformance

Best regards
Writer at https://www.ellipticalaudit.com/
Patkerr

Greek Theater: 5/21/82: Playin>UJB

I can only talk about what I actually saw. The second set opener at the magnificent Greek Theater, Berkley, was the best. They came out in a rather excited state to start the set. Then, they just erupted into a musical superlative. The jam into drums was a Bobby/Brent thing I never saw at any other show. Then the sun set. People need to listen to that 40 minutes turned up real loud. Archive.org has a Charlie Miller sound board that will do you well.
Sure there are probably better Playin>Uncle John's, but that one was a best for me. The energy!

The Great American Music…

The Great American Music Hall for sure.....one from the vault 1975.....the best version of eyes ever.....Jerry's solo's are out of this world

Walking Into Bickershaw Festival with a Miners Family

Seeing the Dead at Bickershaw with a miner and his family ( wife and several kids ). They had given myself and a friend a ride to the site and i invited them along....we all just walked in. I had paid they hadn`t but it didn`t matter. We all watched and listened totally transfixed......magical time

Best Terrapins

The one from 3-18-77 with the Alhambra / Terrapin Flyer jam afterwards is pretty cool.

Some great ones from the 80's are 4/14/84 Hampton, 3/23/87 Hampton and 4/6/87 Brendan Byrne. That Spring tour in 87 they were pumped up and the Terrapin outros in particular are smokin. Also the Brendan Byrne one comes out of Space and goes into The Other One, so there's that...

5/26/77 Terrapin

First time I heard it live after only having heard it on vinyl. I "got it" then. Was not too sure about it based on the album

Alvin Lee from Ten Years…

Alvin Lee from Ten Years Later - Hey Joe

Alvin Lee from Ten Years…

Alvin Lee from Ten Years Later! I have a compilation of videos about this and download it through this tool videopower.me/tips/category-videopower-red/download-video-from-a-website/

Just one of the all time greats...

Can we coax David and company to release 4-21-69, The Arc, Boston, Mass. for the next Dave's Pick release?

Please? Pretty Please?

Forever dedicated to great Dark Stars.....

Favorite Dark Star/The Other One

I stumbled across this beautiful set of 08/03/1969... There's a saxophonist that joins in on the jams and I particularly enjoyed the way Phil Lesh played around with this interesting jazzy addition to the band. It definitely gave me more understanding in the way Phil plays the bass. And seeing as he was a trumpet player originally and wrote several Jazz pieces as a composer before meeting the band, we can hear and feel this is right up his alley. Best version so far in my books

I found a new favorite but I…

I found a new favorite but I need some help. What live version of It Looks like Rains is it that ends with Jerry singing What A Wonderful World?

Best Bucket opener

7-2-87

Archive.org best version is not the mixed one fwiw - great energetic show - can't go wrong with the entire show, band was tight - no good copies of the show exist due to rain heat and humidity unfortunately but local tv station caught first 4 songs and it is on youtube fyi

Fillmore East 2/1170?

Dead with Allman Brothers & Peter Green Fillmore East 2/1170? How about a release form the vaults?

9-2-88 Mt. Rushmore

Just went back and listened to the Charlie Miller mix of 9-2-88. Just amazing. The second set alone is worthy of a Dick or Dave's....how about some fall of '88 love with those Picks!
This show is on the Mt. Rushmore for me with 8/27/72, 8/13/75, 5/22/77 and 8/6/74. Fall '88 is very nice overall but juxtapose this with a hot 10/2/88 and you can hear the extra oomph in 8/27/88. Listen to the Stella's from both and you can hear how the Cap Center one is far more on point. This show has my go to Wheel, Watchtower, Scarlet/Fire, Sugar Mag and Stella....hence, Rushmore.

Unbroken Chains from…

Unbroken Chains from Grateful Dead from the Mars Hotel. Phil Lesh sings and he is fabulous. This song has meant more to me that any other.

McNichols 7-13-81 Full show…

McNichols 7-13-81
Full show was fabulous but second set was !!!!!!!!!!

Given, I'm young in terms of…

Given, I'm young in terms of deadheads at 54, so only saw the Grateful Dead around 10 times. Of those shows, June 23, 1990 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. One of those shows where you would swear they control the weather.

As for Dead & Co which I haven't missed any of the Boulder shows since I live here. Honestly, July 3rd, 2023, the last night in Boulder this summer was just over the top. Most of the Boulder Dead & Co have been great. June 18, 2022 & July 6, 2019 were also especially good.