headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+48135


Submissions

4
Scarlet Begonias
June 15, 1976
Beacon Theatre

Great standalone sandwiched between a Sugar Mag and her Sunshine Daydream. Nice combo.
4
Sugar Magnolia
June 15, 1976
Beacon Theatre

Cool Sugar Mag>Scarlet Begonias>SSDD sammy. Is this the only one like it? The SSDD kicks ass.
7
Friend of the Devil
June 15, 1976
Beacon Theatre

I won't say best, but there's a very cool Hawaiian vibe with Jerry and Bobby backing Keith's solo around the fifth minute.
3
Samson and Delilah
June 15, 1976
Beacon Theatre

Swaggering gospel here, with all the muscle and might befitting the song. Bobby's having a blast.
12
Not Fade Away
June 15, 1976
Beacon Theatre

Jam starts to bubble and boil and rolls on with great creative force. Very cool '76 sound, and a great mix with Bobby and Phil interaction on display

Comments

Cryptical Envelopment
Jan. 26, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

All about the reprise. This one cooks.
Caution
Jan. 25, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

Powerful doesn't begin to describe it. This is the Dangerous Dead, though pretty short for the era. This is the era when the Avalon would hold them to one-hour sets and the night before they cut off the electricity, so perhaps they were reigning it in.
Alligator
Jan. 25, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

Starts a little unfocused, but comes out of the drum solo and transitions into Caution with blow-your-hair-back force.
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.