headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49667


Submissions

7
Around and Around
Sept. 26, 1972
Stanley Theatre

Usually a toss-off for me, and maybe it's Chuck Berry's passing that makes me think of it, but this version kicks serious ass. Deliberate and strong.
10
Bird Song
Sept. 26, 1972
Stanley Theatre

Crisp, articulate, deliberate. This is as strong a statement about what this song could be in '72 as I know. Airplay levels of concision.
7
Cold Rain and Snow
Sept. 26, 1972
Stanley Theatre

Always loved this one early in the first set, 'cause it meant the boys meant business. This one has a loose, comfortable sound, but with high energy.
8
Bertha
Sept. 24, 1972
Palace Theatre

Masterclass from the Philzone here. He tears this one up.
9
Loser
Sept. 24, 1972
Palace Theatre

Driven version. Purposeful, biting, and strong, with a high-tension wire energy. They meant business.

Comments

Wharf Rat
June 17, 1976
Capitol Theater

The transition from LIG is just brilliant. Jerry won't let go and kicks into it like nobody's business. What follows is Grateful Dead magic. This whole show is an under-the-radar masterpiece.
Let It Grow
June 17, 1976
Capitol Theater

Fast and furious. Cut loose from the full suite, these Summer '76ers are greased lightning. Cool to hear it here as part of an expansive (but not interstellar) 2nd set full of great jams and tight arrangements. The transition into Wharf Rat is a thing of beautiful mystery, with Jerry hanging on to the jam well into the first minute of WR.
Samson and Delilah
June 17, 1976
Capitol Theater

Too easily overlooked as a Bobby toss-away in the later years, this song has deep gospel pedigree. These early ones come blazing out like you best-be-goin'-to-church. This is a terribly underrated verison, killing it with the muscle and strut of the man in the song.
Dancin' in the Streets
June 17, 1976
Capitol Theater

Endless energy! That's how. Endless creative and extra-sensory perceptive musical high-level energy. They're operating here across the electro-magnetic spectrum, drawing current from some cosmonautic source I've only glimpsed whispers of, seen in flashbang seconds of color, or whatnot. That's how, brother Glyn, that's how. But plus, if you want a cool study of how they picked up a thread and moved with it, compare this Dancin' with the ones later in the year (Sept.-Oct.) for a great taste of rapid-action evolution. Here they're still working out the form, hinting and ducking and weaving around the electric slide section. It's cool to hear them thinking in realtime.
Scarlet Begonias
June 17, 1976
Capitol Theater

Oh baby, that's a nice Scarlett, full of sweetness and light, lovely lady sounds whispered gently from within the backlighting, plus a dreamy creamy bubble-up-to-the-surface jam that just caresses. The Scarlett-without-FTM may be an acquired taste for some, but give this one a listen, let it take you awayyyyyyyy.