headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49742


Submissions

1
Playin' In The Band
June 4, 1976
Paramount Theatre

This is a weird one. At times it seems like they forgot it was PiTB and went back to the HSF jam. Fun, but waaaaaaaaay loose.
1
Lazy Lightnin' -> Supplication
June 4, 1976
Paramount Theatre

Short, sweet, brand new, and flawless.
1
Friend of the Devil
June 4, 1976
Paramount Theatre

Brilliant early "slow version". I always prefered the desperado fast-paced ones, but this turns into a brilliant exploration and improv vehicle.
3
Uncle John's Band
Dec. 31, 1972
Winterland Arena

Uptempo, powerful, strong vocals. This is top shelf UJB. With David Crosby for that extra oomph, and with a tigh outro, it's strangely not here yet.
4
Jack Straw
Dec. 31, 1972
Winterland Arena

Like every other song in the first set, this is just pristine, air-play level perfection. Beautiful fills by Keith here, too.
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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.
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