headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+48136


Submissions

10
Big Railroad Blues
May 23, 1972
Strand Lyceum

Utterly gobsmacked that this ain't here yet: It's a furious barnburner. Full of get up and go.
15
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
May 23, 1972
Strand Lyceum

A more rocking version than others from the time, and oddly overlooked. Jumps off Cat right away into the long transition. Energetic stuff here.
13
Black Throated Wind
May 23, 1972
Strand Lyceum

Is there a single one from '72 that doesn't end in triumph? This song just got better and better throughout Europe. Surprised this wasn't here yet.
11
Sugar Magnolia
May 13, 1972
Lille Fairgrounds

Perfect musical sunshine. This one even got my not-at-all-into-the-Dead wife to dance around like a trippin' hippy, so you know it's good.
13
Truckin'
May 13, 1972
Lille Fairgrounds

Unforgivable that you guys overlook Truckin'. There's a reason it's the one song non-heads know. This one is a forgotten colossus. Listen up.
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Comments

One More Saturday Night
June 20, 1974
The Omni

Don't be a heal and head for the exits just yet, trying to get to the parking lot first. They've got one more in them....
Eyes Of The World
June 20, 1974
The Omni

It's been a long time since I dipped back into this tour and wow. This is a gem. It has that unmistakeable drive and power of the great '74s and some of Phil's best soloing. What a powerful statement. With that tight odd-metered outro (7/8 + 7/8 + 6/8 I think, maybe... though I'll be damned if I've ever figured it out) I can fully understand why they might have been thinking about an eventual Eyes>Slipknot combination, but this is it, really. Did they ever develop this knuckle-busting combo any further?
Cassidy
April 23, 1977
Springfield Civic Center

I feel like this might be the first moment in the year when you can really hear how categorically they changed their ensemble concept from '76 to '77.
Sugaree
April 23, 1977
Springfield Civic Center

How bold is it to OPEN with Sugaree? At its fastest this is a mid-tempo swing and it is - by my memories - somewhat notorious for pulling down the vibe when they kicked off too slow. Not this puppy. It's got a strong pulse and grooves from note one. And Jerry means business from the jump. His solos are pristine lines of inspiration. Also: Note one is the tinkling homage to Dylan's "Everyone Must Get Stoned", undoubtedly. Have a listen on the C. Miller version and tell me I'm wrong!
The Wheel
April 22, 1977
The Spectrum

The Wheel was always good medicine. This one starts like a mirage on a hot highway fluttering in the distance, then coalesces into a perfect form, just perfect before that really really pristine Lady With a Fan section of Terrapin. As much as I love this show, this is the first part of the set where they're really playing as one. The S>F is super loose and as cool as the Dancin' is, they seem to struggle to hit the bridge. But this... this is gooood medicine.
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