headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49667


Submissions

4
Not Fade Away
April 7, 1971
Boston Music Hall

The jam before is listed as a controlled mind-altering substance in 92 countries, but its cut on the archive is the cruelest thing I know.
3
Casey Jones
April 7, 1971
Boston Music Hall

Intense, driving energy. Phil belts out the chorus like his life depends on it.
3
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
April 7, 1971
Boston Music Hall

CCS is supremely tight, with a bit of that '69 magic sound to it, and IKYR rocks. Followed by a Stephen, so maybe some nostalgia? Sounds great.
2
Hard to Handle
April 4, 1971
Manhattan Center

Great 'Bobby segment', as his solo has come to be known. Whole show overshadowed by the outrageous monster the next day, but still great fun.
3
Sugar Magnolia
March 24, 1971
Winterland Arena

Actually one god-dammned hard rockin' blast-off: Uptempo and hardcore.

Comments

Cosmic Charlie
Jan. 25, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

One of the best I know: They're having a blast. The growling grinding combination of Jerry and the keys (Pigpen? TC? both?) gives it an energetic tight swinging sound during the verses, and an unexpected almost punk-rock blown-amp sounding bridge to the "calling you" section. Cosmic Charlie is so legendary and mythic: People held banners at shows with the number of days past since it was last performed and annual set-lists would say Cosmic Charlie: 0 with a sad-face next to it. Hear it here in a uniquely tight and fun version.
Dark Star
Jan. 25, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

TC is too high in the mix, but so what? In most recordings of the era it's almost impossible to hear any indication of what he brought, so this is an interesting document if nothing else. It's also musically a whirligig of fun, even if a bit scattered in places. Deduct points for the mix if you must.
Turn On Your Love Light
Jan. 24, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

The stoned moron arhythmically yelling 'whoo whoooo' at the beginning and "Grateful Dead!!! Grateful Dead!!!" towards the end bring me right back to my tour days. ;-)
Dark Star
Jan. 24, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

Fans of the Live Dead-era should really know this one. Sonically it shares a lot with the more famous ones of the era, but its flow is just as perfect and the ideas and clear telepathy between Jerry and Bobby throughout is gorgeous. There may be a bit of a tuning or tape-speed wobble in places, but the C.Miller cleanup is pristine.
New Potato Caboose
Aug. 24, 1968
Shrine Auditorium

Jerry's solo can ignite paper at 1000 yards too. I mean Phil gets a lot of deserving love here, but I just gotta add that bit about the guitarist.