headyversion
find the best versions of grateful dead songs
please
login
or
register
.
Carrion_Crow
Stealth Head
+49687
Submissions
5
Sugaree
May 25, 1974
Campus Stadium, UCSB
Swings and rocks you back and forth so sweetly. Not my favorite Dead song, but this one is just a beaut.
26
Wharf Rat
May 21, 1974
Edmundson Pavilion
A musical triumph capping an amazing 2nd Set. Soaring, almost Bird Songish intensity to the ensemble soloing. Perfect.
18
Sugar Magnolia
May 21, 1974
Edmundson Pavilion
Are you kidding me?!? This just blazes white hot. Whole 2nd set is just a supernova.
16
U.S. Blues (Wave That Flag)
May 21, 1974
Edmundson Pavilion
The boys were still inspired after that 46min Playin' and it shows. Possibly the best US Blues I know of. Don't overlook it or the rest of the show!
46
Wharf Rat
May 19, 1974
Portland Memorial Coliseum
Slightly faster with a steady ostinato bass that works beautifully. No dirge, but a thoughtful tale. I hear waves against a wharf at the end.
show more submissions
Comments
Cosmic Charlie
Jan. 25, 1969
Avalon Ballroom
One of the best I know: They're having a blast. The growling grinding combination of Jerry and the keys (Pigpen? TC? both?) gives it an energetic tight swinging sound during the verses, and an unexpected almost punk-rock blown-amp sounding bridge to the "calling you" section. Cosmic Charlie is so legendary and mythic: People held banners at shows with the number of days past since it was last performed and annual set-lists would say Cosmic Charlie: 0 with a sad-face next to it. Hear it here in a uniquely tight and fun version.
Dark Star
Jan. 25, 1969
Avalon Ballroom
TC is too high in the mix, but so what? In most recordings of the era it's almost impossible to hear any indication of what he brought, so this is an interesting document if nothing else. It's also musically a whirligig of fun, even if a bit scattered in places. Deduct points for the mix if you must.
Turn On Your Love Light
Jan. 24, 1969
Avalon Ballroom
The stoned moron arhythmically yelling 'whoo whoooo' at the beginning and "Grateful Dead!!! Grateful Dead!!!" towards the end bring me right back to my tour days. ;-)
Dark Star
Jan. 24, 1969
Avalon Ballroom
Fans of the Live Dead-era should really know this one. Sonically it shares a lot with the more famous ones of the era, but its flow is just as perfect and the ideas and clear telepathy between Jerry and Bobby throughout is gorgeous. There may be a bit of a tuning or tape-speed wobble in places, but the C.Miller cleanup is pristine.
New Potato Caboose
Aug. 24, 1968
Shrine Auditorium
Jerry's solo can ignite paper at 1000 yards too. I mean Phil gets a lot of deserving love here, but I just gotta add that bit about the guitarist.
show more comments
hot songs
Dark Star
Playin' In The Band
Eyes Of The World
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
new submissions
Wharf Rat, Winterland Arena, Dec. 31, 1977
Sugaree, Alexandra Palace, Sept. 11, 1974
Friend of the Devil, Oakland Auditorium, Dec. 27, 1981
more submissions
recent comments
Garcia has some pep ...
Garcia has some pep ...
Garcia has some pep ...
more comments
resources & sponsors
about