headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

parrott56

millennial head

+5024


Submissions

1
Looks Like Rain
Dec. 28, 1989
Coliseum Arean

Another strong version from Brent's last year. Colorful with a swirling energy.
4
Mexicali Blues
Nov. 17, 1971
Albuquerque Civic Auditorium

Breakneck speed and blazing energy!
7
Me and Bobby McGee
Nov. 17, 1971
Albuquerque Civic Auditorium

Phil and Billy really drive this one. Astonishing energy.
3
Jack Straw
Nov. 17, 1971
Albuquerque Civic Auditorium

There’s something about the pluck of this early version. Fresh and surprising even if you’ve heard a billion Jack Straws.
8
Jack Straw
Aug. 25, 1972
Berkeley Community Theatre

The most active, detailed ’72 Jack Straw I can recall.

Comments

St. Stephen
March 20, 1977
Winterland Arena

“Some of the worst singing the Dead ever did”? You’ve got to be kidding me. There are some vocal performances from the ’60s and mid-’80s that would like to have a word with you. This is average singing from one of their better years vocally. Also, the noodling here is fairly substantive. All in all, an easy upvote, if not quite the absolute best post-hiatus version. (Check out 1/11/78!)
China Doll
Sept. 10, 1983
Downs of Santa Fe

I love the ’83-style pre-Drums China Dolls. Jerry and Phil bail on the jam pretty quickly, but then we get to enjoy some fine, harmonically adventurous Bobby, Brent, and Rhythm Devils jamming. Great stuff.
Bertha
May 13, 1977
Auditorium Theatre

Uptempo but not rushed, effervescent, and clean as a whistle. There are a ton of great May '77 Berthas, and this is one of them. Don't miss it.
Friend of the Devil
May 13, 1977
Auditorium Theatre

Keith’s smoooooth chromatic scale entry into his solo must be heard to be believed.
One More Saturday Night
May 13, 1977
Auditorium Theatre

Apparently the version on the box set is from 5/28/77, as the 5/13 tape was irreparably damaged. The Archive links are truly 5/13, though.