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

Terrapin Station
March 19, 1977
Winterland Arena

Still brand-spankin' new, but they really found their stride here to kick off this outrageous extended jam to close out the first set. This strikes me as the first one to really convey the anthemic triumph outro.
Wharf Rat
March 19, 1977
Winterland Arena

Powerful version with a strong up-tempo pulse. The emotional charge is palpable, and the transition to Franklin's is remarkable.
Dancin' in the Streets
March 19, 1977
Winterland Arena

Jerry's long effects-blastin' solo sounds like six musicians all playing in unison. Listen to Phil's wild contrapuntal polyrhythms behind him. Such a fun version I had to play it over and over. This is well under-rated, folks.
Mississippi Halfstep Uptown Toodeloo
Feb. 27, 1977
Robertson Gym, UC Santa Barbara

Catalonia is perhaps a bit too harsh on this solid rocker. Jerry's musical ideas come ringing through with precision and clarity, the band is tight as tight can be - it's primo '77 after all. Maybe it's the 'embarrassment of riches' effect... So many awesome '77s to choose from doesn't mean this one is anything less than stellar.
Playin' In The Band
March 19, 1977
Winterland Arena

Lots to grok here: I'm just discovering this one and listening to the whole sandwich on repeat. I'm mostly a pre-hiatus Playin' guy, from its '70 Main-Ten origins through to the 40+ min fusion masterpieces of 1974, but this honestly just kicks ass from end-to-end. The 'Arabesque' jam is well named - it evokes both the Blues for Allah period and the '78 Giza shows. Fun fun stuff.
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