headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49667


Submissions

7
Let It Grow
July 13, 1976
Orpheum Theatre

Gives you blisters on your fingers just listening to it. Great second bit coming after drums. Solid if not somewhat overlooked show.
8
Death Don't Have No Mercy
Aug. 23, 1968
Shrine Auditorium

A bit shorter and tighter than some, but brilliant, and part of an immortal set of primal blasting power.
33
Dark Star
Nov. 8, 1970
Capitol Theater

Takes off on you for a deep and weird ride, then goes into a brilliant "The Main Ten" which just kills me its so good.
18
El Paso
Nov. 8, 1970
Capitol Theater

The boys were in a mellow mood tonight, and this one is the sweet and tearful-cowboy ballad it was written to be.
7
I Know You Rider
Nov. 8, 1970
Capitol Theater

Moody, pensive, and beautifully acoustic. Like no other. Unbelievably beautiful.

Comments

Chinatown Shuffle
March 23, 1972
Academy of Music

With a little WRS - Prelude noodling during the tuning afterwards. Cool to hear it so early on, even if it's just for a second.
Black Throated Wind
March 23, 1972
Academy of Music

Bobby sounds great. His voice is on point and even his high-intensity emotional finish fits in perfectly with the tight energy of the band.
Playin' In The Band
March 22, 1972
Academy of Music

Another historically interesting heavyweight from this pivotal transition moment for Playin', which is arguably my all-around favorite GD vehicle. This one, unlike the night before, still has a few The Main Ten moments, but also the spacey Playin' jam that we'd know from later in the year. My sense is that they worked hard on expanding Playin' during the winter break, as these first ones from the year (22 March, 21 March and 02 January) sound almost nothing like the versions from December '71. Just goddamned wonderful. Put this one on the mixtape that plays on a loop over my tombstone folks....
Big Railroad Blues
March 22, 1972
Academy of Music

Great harp work from Pigpen.
Wharf Rat
March 21, 1972
Academy of Music

Both this WR and the long TOO before it are flirting with Dark Star. This is a deep version: Jerry gives it so much emotion, and the whole band is locked in to a soundscape that gives it that extra x-factor.