headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49707


Submissions

1
The Other One
Oct. 10, 1967
Shrine Auditorium

Wild and reckless - a supernova.
2
Born Cross Eyed
Jan. 17, 1968
Carousel Ballroom

It rocks. A tight first Born Cross Eyed after a pretty rough New Potato Caboose. Love the '68 sound.
6
The Eleven
Jan. 17, 1968
Carousel Ballroom

First version, out of the first China Cat ever. Epic show. Pigpen is on fire the whole night.
4
Turn On Your Love Light
Jan. 17, 1968
Carousel Ballroom

Blazing start to an awe inspiring, historically massive show. It's pure. Pig and Bobby are especially fun during the hocket (vocal back and forth).
9
Born Cross Eyed
Jan. 20, 1968
Eureka Municipal Auditorium

Massive, sprawling, acid rock bursting at its seams. "Primal Dead" bending space-time.

Comments

Me and Bobby McGee
April 5, 1971
Manhattan Center

That's Jerry, not Phil, I'm fairly sure. Anyone else? My headphones are busted (don't ask),so I can't listen really deeply like I want to, and it does sound like a little bit of three-part harmony on the very last lines, but Jer is singing backup throughout and the yodel is within his timbrel range. Any historians out there know for sure? Sure is a beaut, anyway.
Good Lovin'
May 3, 1972
Olympia Theater

Pig gets good and filthy right around 10:00.
The Other One
May 2, 1970
Harpur College

Apparently two years and change since I've rechecked this one: I agree with crankyoldhead above. This is an insane rager, for sure, but hard to figure it as the top o'the list other than that it's been released commercially. Strong points: relentless and coherent, but it never tips over the edge, but just stays close to it for a great long journey. To me the cryptical reprise gets closest to the supernova power of, for example 04.26.72 and probably twenty-five others on this page. Not meant as a criticism, but simply an observation.
Dark Star
Sept. 10, 1972
Hollywood Palladium

A wonderful, long, inventive version, full of pure musical jams, a wild post-verse spacemelt, and a glorious return into a beautiful Jack Straw. I reckon it's no higher on the list because the board levels aren't top-shelf, but the recording itself is great, and there's good channel separation so you can hear Bobby's angular knifey stabalong clearly, which is a too-rare treat for the era. (His interaction with Keith and Jerry at about 24:00 is just brilliant.) Listen to it, it's got it all, and I'd nominate this show (excellent all-round) for a cleanup if possible.
He's Gone
Sept. 10, 1972
Hollywood Palladium

Bliss. As close to a perfect statement of He's Gone as I know. The soloing is full of clear, purposeful ideas and Billy drives the whole thing forward with just the right amount of push, never letting it drag a bit. Could be much higher on the list.