headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49667


Submissions

3
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Oct. 17, 1970
Cleveland Music Hall

Multigen sound quality, but unmistakenly tight jam with a sweet transition.
3
Doin' That Rag
Jan. 24, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

Song was brand new and they're searching for the sound, almost goes into a Violaesque jam. Transitional, hot stuff.
5
Death Don't Have No Mercy
Jan. 17, 1969
Civic Auditorium

Deep and mournful, with great organ fills and group soloing. Very solid.
6
St. Stephen
June 7, 1969
Fillmore West

Massively crunching Stephen with Jer's tone like a machinegunbuzzsaw. Out of a killer DS too. Why no love yet?
1
Sugar Magnolia
Sept. 17, 1970
Fillmore East

Something happened to the song between August and September, and this is the "first" Sugar Mag that resembles the song we know, now it's tight.

Comments

China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Nov. 17, 1972
Century II Convention Hall

A high-end and uptempo jumper. One of those rare moments where "just exactly perfect" applies without a single note out of place. This is all about the Rider, as they transition out of China Cat without a jam. Listen to the delicate, elegant and wonderful Keith fills in all the right places in all the in between places. Sole caveat: the Mike Lai tape has great separation and sound, but may well be a half-tone fast, adding to the lovely urgency, but not necessarily faithful to the original sound.
Brown Eyed Women
Nov. 17, 1972
Century II Convention Hall

This is like a '77 version transplanted back in time to '72. Are there others like it from this early that had that backbeat shuffle to it and uptempo polish? If so, I don't know of 'em. Interesting new take on a well-established vehicle from years early. Cool.
Bird Song
Nov. 17, 1972
Century II Convention Hall

Oh yes this is a beauty, right up there with the best of the immortal '72s. I don't often comment twice on a song, but this one is definitely worth it. If Jerry's long solo is the Bird then Bobby is a gusting wind around him, with Keith the rolling soundclouds, and Phil and Billy sweet distant thunder.
Black Throated Wind
Nov. 17, 1972
Century II Convention Hall

Very strong version. This first set just kicks off so well, they were totally switched on this night. I think the Mike Lai version sounds better, even if possibly pitched a smidge sharper.
Wharf Rat
Nov. 15, 1972
Oklahoma City Music Hall

A perfect sounding mix really brings out everyone's contribution here. There are a few humanizing stumbles early on, but anyone overlooking this one is missing on an exceptionally beautiful and interesting Wharf Rat.