headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49667


Submissions

16
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
May 23, 1972
Strand Lyceum

A more rocking version than others from the time, and oddly overlooked. Jumps off Cat right away into the long transition. Energetic stuff here.
13
Black Throated Wind
May 23, 1972
Strand Lyceum

Is there a single one from '72 that doesn't end in triumph? This song just got better and better throughout Europe. Surprised this wasn't here yet.
11
Sugar Magnolia
May 13, 1972
Lille Fairgrounds

Perfect musical sunshine. This one even got my not-at-all-into-the-Dead wife to dance around like a trippin' hippy, so you know it's good.
15
Truckin'
May 13, 1972
Lille Fairgrounds

Unforgivable that you guys overlook Truckin'. There's a reason it's the one song non-heads know. This one is a forgotten colossus. Listen up.
8
Mister Charlie
May 13, 1972
Lille Fairgrounds

Distinctly slower, with a greasier funk vibe. Surprised it isn't here. Different from the others and lots of fun.
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Comments

Let It Grow
June 23, 1976
Tower Theatre

Powerful, forceful, fast, and precise. This is the type of LIG that I would just go nuts for as a young head. This one is just rip-roaring from word go, has a blistering drum solo a greased lightning re-entry before smoothing the way for cool jam into Cosmic Charlie. This kind of "under the radar" jam is perfect for the era: LiG>CosmicC then SS>NFA>SS? How often did they play that combination?
Lazy Lightnin' -> Supplication
June 23, 1976
Tower Theatre

One of the best from June '76.
Big River
June 23, 1976
Tower Theatre

Takes a lot to get me to vote for a Big River, but you've got to hear Keith and Jerry's double solos here. Just perfect.
The Music Never Stopped
June 23, 1976
Tower Theatre

Slightly mellower tempo than some of the wild barn-burners of the time, but this lends itself to a sharp and spiffy show opener with a beautiful swimming interlude vocal (Donna haters notwithstanding) and great crowd pleasing starter. Summer '76 was some brilliant peak Dead, rolling out their next act. Don't skip this one.
Playin' In The Band
June 22, 1976
Tower Theatre

How the Dead can be simultaneously so understated and mellow, yet so tweakingly far out and experimental is one the musical mysteries. This is just wild stuff - it has all the electric-Miles feel mentioned above, but it has that unmistakable high-speed, low-altitude cruising. Around minute 18, after the short proto-FTM jam, Jerry just takes off and skims the treetops. Freeform beauty ensues as they move towards The Wheel.
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