headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49652


Submissions

4
Mister Charlie
March 21, 1972
Academy of Music

Part of a great first set, the band is on fire, and Pigpen in great form. Tight rocker.
4
Loser
March 21, 1972
Academy of Music

Cracklin' and snappy version. The band is über tight and having fun.
3
Greatest Story Ever Told
March 21, 1972
Academy of Music

Bobby blows a gasket on this one. Raw and powerful, showing exactly where they were headed before Europe. High energy rocker.
4
Playin' In The Band
March 21, 1972
Academy of Music

I'd argue this was the first Playin' as we came to know it after the end of the "Main Ten" and "country warbler" versions from '71.
2
Casey Jones
March 5, 1972
Winterland Arena

After a pretty sloppy 1st set, they charge up and nail this one. Phil goes bananas on the out chorus.

Comments

Midnight Hour
Sept. 16, 1966
Avalon Ballroom

This is probably the first recording of Pigpen-as-life-coach, rapping about just what to do and just how to do it.
Dancin' in the Streets
Sept. 16, 1966
Avalon Ballroom

This is one of the '66 gems that start to show just what they could do in an extended jam. It's only about six minutes, but goddamn, it covers a lot of ground. Can you imagine the completely baffled A&R men at this point with absolutely no idea how to package and re-sell them... and then the funny coffee kicks in and the '60s happen.
I Know You Rider
Sept. 16, 1966
Avalon Ballroom

Do my ears deceive me or is Pigpen part of the ensemble vocals? That would be a rare thing indeed. I love the Nashville/Bakersfield sound here to this arrangement and Jerry is just brilliant throughout.
Viola Lee Blues
July 29, 1966
P.N.E. Garden Auditorium

Was there anyone else on the scene extending jams like this in '66? Even aside from the Acid Tests and the psychedelic pop, they were so freakin' on at this point.
I Know You Rider
July 29, 1966
P.N.E. Garden Auditorium

Plus one for "jitterbug". So right!