headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49712


Submissions

4
The Eleven
March 30, 1968
Carousel Ballroom

The China Cat>The Eleven sequence was always very cool and this one burns hot and fast. Don't wanna just put all of 'em up here, but this is a cooker.
5
Dark Star
March 30, 1968
Carousel Ballroom

A short little gem: Nice clear solo ideas and tight ensemble playing with that bursting-at-the-seams energy from the Anthem era.
2
The Other One
March 30, 1968
Carousel Ballroom

It's '68 and the boys are on fire. This one pins you to the wall all its the sharp turns and jagged explosiveness. Hard pschedelic rock.
7
The Eleven
April 21, 1969
The Ark

So blisteringly hot. All three Ark '69 shows are brilliant, but this is the clearest example of their brilliance on Eleven.
4
Playin' In The Band
Dec. 15, 1971
Hill Auditorium

Just listened to it 4x in a row, something I never do. The whole intense Playin' universe packed into under 7min. Could be my favourite '71.

Comments

Samson and Delilah
March 19, 1977
Winterland Arena

Soul-sizzling church here. The first half of PiTB noodles and swirls, but by the time Samson comes along they are all swagger and strength. This one is a colossus on its own, but part of an outrageous 1st set sammy it's become one of my top Samsons of all time.
Terrapin Station
March 19, 1977
Winterland Arena

Still brand-spankin' new, but they really found their stride here to kick off this outrageous extended jam to close out the first set. This strikes me as the first one to really convey the anthemic triumph outro.
Wharf Rat
March 19, 1977
Winterland Arena

Powerful version with a strong up-tempo pulse. The emotional charge is palpable, and the transition to Franklin's is remarkable.
Dancin' in the Streets
March 19, 1977
Winterland Arena

Jerry's long effects-blastin' solo sounds like six musicians all playing in unison. Listen to Phil's wild contrapuntal polyrhythms behind him. Such a fun version I had to play it over and over. This is well under-rated, folks.
Mississippi Halfstep Uptown Toodeloo
Feb. 27, 1977
Robertson Gym, UC Santa Barbara

Catalonia is perhaps a bit too harsh on this solid rocker. Jerry's musical ideas come ringing through with precision and clarity, the band is tight as tight can be - it's primo '77 after all. Maybe it's the 'embarrassment of riches' effect... So many awesome '77s to choose from doesn't mean this one is anything less than stellar.