headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49777


Submissions

5
Bertha
July 31, 1971
Yale Bowl, Yale University

Revs up the rowdy crowd, tight and powerful 2nd set opener in a brilliant show. The AUD is a bit rough in places, but gives it great atmosphere. Hot.
8
Mister Charlie
July 31, 1971
Yale Bowl, Yale University

Ignore the audiophobes and get into it. Pig and Jerry both totally on. The band is exploding with energy. Overlooked show, and Dave knew it.
4
Black Peter
June 21, 1971
Chateau d'Herouville

Strong and powerful, like all the best versions of BP. Deep emotions on great pulse to this one.
3
Me and My Uncle
June 21, 1971
Chateau d'Herouville

Great sound. Some tuning/monitor problems earlier but by this they've worked it out. Nice clean version in what turns out to be a killer show.
2
Hard to Handle
May 29, 1971
Winterland Arena

Don't pass this by because of the AUD issues. Stands up to all the top H2Hs here. The jam and energy are outrageous.

Comments

Black Throated Wind
March 26, 1972
Academy of Music

Damn right. Sounds like they mastered it long before. Charlie Miller cleanup on this show is all that, too.
Estimated Prophet
May 25, 1977
The Mosque

Donnie's right here. I can't say this one touches the madness that makes this song so special. While my personal opinion is that the Dead were generally more musically interesting in '77 than they were in '91, I also think that the best Estimated Prophets convey jagged, off-kilter, schizophrenia, and could tip you over the edge given the right/wrong mental state. This one sounds like a work in progress - and I think this is one of, if not the best shows in all of '77.
How Sweet It Is
March 25, 1972
Academy of Music

This is one of the most brilliant versions of this song I've ever heard, whether or not I'm also a deadhead. (I am.) Donna never sounded better either.
Smokestack Lightnin'
March 25, 1972
Academy of Music

Pigpen comes out after an hour+ of, shall we say, a not-too-convincing Bo Diddley featuring the Grateful Dead set, and pours it on thick and luscious. Do you think he wanted to step up to Bo D. and say, "now that's how it's done", one bluesman to the next? It seems like the 'lil red rooster wanted to strut in his own backyard here. One of the best, and a painful reminder of how amazing Pigpen's sound could have blended with the emerging seventies Dead. It also sounds like half the band wanted to go into Truckin' for the last five minutes of vamping. Cool how it hovers around but never fully coalesces.
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
March 23, 1972
Academy of Music

Cucamonga's right here. This one has no business with only two votes. Were they completely on fire? Did they leave anyone alive? Did they have to replace all their equipment afterwards? Jeez, this one's a scorcher, and needs to be much higher up.