headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49667


Submissions

14
Wharf Rat
Oct. 16, 1974
Winterland Arena

Coming out of a 48 min jam to open the set, this one is like a small visitation before another huge jam>Eyes. A big epic indeed.
8
Playin' In The Band
Sept. 21, 1974
Palais Des Sports

Overlooked space-jazz masterwork. Mercurial and vast. Listen to it as the outcome of the Space before it and BANG! you're on a deep ride furthur.
6
Space
Sept. 21, 1974
Palais Des Sports

10mins of absolute weirdness. Incorrectly listed as Seastones - but Jerry, Keith and Billy are there with Phil and Ned. An outrageous corker. Scary.
4
Bertha
Sept. 21, 1974
Palais Des Sports

Show opener with mix off: not perfect but interesting to hear Phil/Bobby interplay (almost exclusively), which is rare for '74 recordings.
10
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Nov. 19, 1972
Hofheinz Pavilion

Uncategorizably brilliant transition jam. Sweet sweet Rider. Overshadowed by the immortal PITB that follows. Give a spin, it won't disappoint.

Comments

Hard to Handle
Aug. 7, 1971
Golden Hall

Hot and greasy, like the best of them. I love how Phil just floors it around minute six. But this one doesn't quite shoot me over the falls in a barrel the way some do: Bobby's solo is a bit limp by comparison to others from this era and the crescendo before the final verse drops out before Pigpen comes back in. There are so many great ones to choose from in '71. Check out the April Fillmore East shows, ouch!
El Paso
Aug. 7, 1971
Golden Hall

Heartbreaking waltz tempo: Last dance in Texas; farewell desperado. Sweet and lovely. Thanks for the links DarkStar67!
Me and My Uncle
June 5, 1969
Fillmore West

Bobby's got a snarl that just exudes violence. I love this version and the surf-punk cowboy sound that was still part of the Danger Dead sound.
Death Don't Have No Mercy
Oct. 12, 1968
Avalon Ballroom

Hot Goddamn, that just rips. A crescendo of energy and power, it builds up to a beautiful peak.
Cassidy
Sept. 26, 1980
Warfield Theater

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTUYH8LP2Jc