headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49742


Submissions

40
Not Fade Away
May 28, 1977
Hartford Civic Center

Brilliant double Jerry/Phil solo. Who know that NFA could be such an exploration? A blazing 2nd set tour-closer from Spring '77. What else?!?
14
Good Lovin'
May 28, 1977
Hartford Civic Center

That Bob and Jerry both get barnburning warm ups (Bertha then this) pays off throughout this immortal show. Don't just start with the 2nd set!
15
Playin' In The Band
Sept. 23, 1972
Palace Theater

Nice hot version. Not as tripped out as some and never melts down, but 18 minutes of fun.
13
Playin' In The Band
Oct. 31, 1971
Ohio Theatre

Hard blistering acid rock with the '71 country vox. 6 minutes, but with the seeds within it that would become Playin' as we know it in '72.
9
Uncle John's Band
Feb. 18, 1971
Capitol Theater

Energetic encore. Rolling drums and tight energy ending a brilliant show like they were ready for another set.

Comments

Dupree's Diamond Blues
Feb. 11, 1969
Fillmore East

The banter alone is worth an upvote, with Bill Graham is gifted a cowbell and inducted into the band.... Then the late show starts with this sweet, simple version. That's presumably TC on the steam calliope and who but the Dead would even try such a thing?!?
Dark Star
April 24, 1972
Rheinhalle

Back here for more. It's really that good. After nearly 40 minutes of creating whole cosmos out of the air it almost sounds like they might land back into Playin' then maybe back into Dark Star melody for the second chorus, then into that beautiful Wharf Rat. Like a spinning twenty-sided die it could have landed anywhere, perfectly. G'damn, but this one deserves its spot on the front page.
Truckin'
April 24, 1972
Rheinhalle

When they open a show like this you just know you're in for something special. They are so tight from the jump, everyone in perfect sync, Jerry and Phil in perfect co-soloing mind-meld with Keith a bright comet overhead. Even the vocals are beautiful. Honest here, we chronically overlook Truckin' as heads, but I think it's ALWAYS (1970-1995) the best measure of how on they were for any given show. This one is just exactly perfect.
Dark Star
Sept. 27, 1972
Stanley Theatre

A long twisting story filled with beautiful forking paths. Jerry is an inspired lyricist, fluttering just out of reach like a thousand moths in moonlight.
Playin' In The Band
Sept. 27, 1972
Stanley Theatre

Agreed that this is pretty mellow next to the sustained firepower of the colossal August - November Playin' marathon after Europe. It's honestly an embarrassment of riches, (shout out to the August Berkeley shows for being chronically under appreciated), but I find something special in this one because it has elements that almost sound more like the electric Miles Davis-infused 1974 sound.