headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

merryjerry

wacked

+6835


Submissions

4
China Cat Sunflower
Jan. 2, 1972
Winterland Arena

A curious Cat peekin' through some Good Lovin'. Not an epic CCS per se, but the transitions in 'n out are as smooth as a Michael Jordan layup. Unique.
2
Dark Star
April 26, 1970
York Farm

We can only wonder...
19
Doin' That Rag
March 1, 1969
Fillmore West

Not too much Tiny Tim and Jerry's solo blooms nicely.
9
Black Peter
Aug. 12, 1972
Sacramento Memorial Auditorium

A slightly brisk and jaunty version that is smack-dab in the middle of a TOO. More bluesy rock than ponderous and Faulknerian (?).
12
China Cat Sunflower
Feb. 14, 1968
Carousel Ballroom

Jerry's early tone is sweetly acerbic, and pleases like the burn from a swig of crisp Coke on a hot day. Seamless transition into 'The Eleven'.

Comments

Deal
May 4, 1977
The Palladium

Excellent. Jerry takes a nice, long and inspired lead that despite going many places never strays from the heart of the tune. Nice pick.
Playin' In The Band
May 4, 1977
The Palladium

A Playin'>Comes a Time>Playin' sandwich. The jam starts a little pensive, like a door being opened onto a vast empty space, but nice things soon begin to happen. Indeed, there a couple of passages in this one that are just downright excellent.
Morning Dew
Oct. 18, 1972
Fox Theater

I was inspired to revisit this version after reading about it on the archive recently and was hoping to read some comments about it here, only to find that it hadn't yet been listed. I had always remembered that the transition back into Playin' was very dramatic, like getting hit by a wave that you never saw coming. I was impressed by Jerry's singing. It seems as though he focuses on it to the point of excluding any flourishes or accents with his guitar, save for the solos of course. But that's okay, as the accompaniment is very tight: you could listen exclusively to any member on this performance and be well-rewarded. I'll only mention Keith by asking, Did he ever sound more like Bill Evans than here, with that crystalline-like sustain and airiness?
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
April 5, 1971
Manhattan Center

I agree, Grendel. Every vintage of the band had its own unique suite of peak-potentials, and this version definitely captures the magic that this vintage could create.
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
April 5, 1971
Manhattan Center

Very, very fine stuff.