headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49737


Submissions

4
Long Black Limousine
Jan. 31, 1970
The Warehouse

Showcases their versatility: Switched mid-way through an electric set into this moody beauty after Phil's amp blew out. Gorgeous.
3
Hard to Handle
Jan. 31, 1970
The Warehouse

More like the great '71s than the others from 1970. A hard enough rocker that it apparently nuked Phil's amp, leading to a wonderful acoustic set.
10
Dire Wolf
Jan. 31, 1970
The Warehouse

Introduced as a "paranoid fantasy song", but oh so sweet for all that. Perfect rendition.
13
Not Fade Away
Oct. 3, 1976
Cobo Arena

Part of an epic jam, plus an enormous China Cat tease at 10:45 in a 5-year spell without them. Very interesting groove, too.
7
Mason's Children
Jan. 31, 1970
The Warehouse

For anyone with a soft spot for psychedelic bubblegum, the jam the shit out of this one. Ruff cut in the middle though.

Comments

Playin' In The Band
April 21, 1972
Beat Club

In a tour during which Playin' goes from a peculiar, if not promising vehicle for outer-spheres jamming, to the galactic shredding monster that Playin' is by September, this one stands out as just a little bit weirder, just a little bit more agressive and intense. It's frankly enormous for the relatively short 12 minutes it fills.
Dark Star
April 17, 1972
Tivolis Koncertsal

Shockingly underrated. There's a lot of feedback weirdness... which is awesome. And yes, the pre-verse is gorgeous. There's also a lot of experimentation, in the best sense of the term: Hints of a FGJ around 17:30, washes of crystal keyboard work that sounds almost like what they would try out again in the late 80s midi period. And yes... its good and goddamned weird? Who's got a problem with that... it's the Grateful Dead, not the Kingston Trio.
Big Railroad Blues
April 17, 1972
Tivolis Koncertsal

Believe the hype: this one clears out the tubes. The vitamins must have kicked in during the pause, because they don't sound laid back here at all....
Hurts Me Too
April 17, 1972
Tivolis Koncertsal

This really needs more votes: The solid driving pulse, the deep-in-the-pocket groove, the laid-back tempo that never drags, and of course the perfect execution by Blue Ron, his voice, and his soul. Really, this is some his finest vocal work ever.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
April 17, 1972
Tivolis Koncertsal

The first set is characterized by laid-back tempos and an all-round mellow delivery (especially compared with the other Copenhagen show on the 14th and Aarhus the night before). Don't let that fool you into passing over this amazing version and altogether excellent show. The tempos really work to showcase Keith, as others mentioned. The transition between the two is made perfect by his mastery - and he continues to shine through Jack Straw and He's Gone too.