headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49667


Submissions

16
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.
15
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.
8
Mister Charlie
May 13, 1972
Lille Fairgrounds

Distinctly slower, with a greasier funk vibe. Surprised it isn't here. Different from the others and lots of fun.
show more submissions

Comments

Estimated Prophet
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

7/4 time is extremely tough to groove to, but they not only find their way, but somehow seem to soar over it. For my money, Estimated is one of their most conceptually complex songs, musically, lyrics-wise, and in terms of the thematics of madness. Check out the conversation at The Well about it.
Jack Straw
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

I wouldn't call it "laid back" like brother Dante sez, but more "outta flippin' sight". Jerry tore it open with the Might As Well opener, but Bobby stepped right up and conquers it with this warm-up. With energy like these two to start the show, you just know the heads lucky enough to be there were in for a good one. One of the best from '77, and that tells you something!
Caution
Aug. 23, 1968
Shrine Auditorium

And now a comment on the '2nd show' - probably the real date. It's buried in the track listed "Drums Alligator" and it will blister your brain and melt your bones. Hard driving acid Dead here, folks. Just goddamned amazing music.
Caution
Aug. 23, 1968
Shrine Auditorium

Loads of confusion re: the source tapes and dates. Archive has a two separate shows on one date, (the "live concert" version). This comment is for the 'first show', which is apparently from some unknown date, but who cares! It's freaking amazing. Souped up and fast, with Pig in fine, if not slightly slurred form, it's a brilliant snapshot of the power psychedelia of the time. I'll listen to the 'real' 23.08 next, which is evidently on 2FTV.
Alligator
Aug. 21, 1968
Fillmore West

Mountain Jam melody clearly stated at 05:00. (Along with a whole "We Bid You Goodnight" melody 90 seconds later.) This jam is massively epic. I always somehow come back to '68 and '69 as the source of it all.
show more comments
headyversion loves the dead but is in no way affiliated with The Grateful Dead or affiliated enterprises. find out more >:) >:)