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.

Comments

Eyes Of The World
July 17, 1976
Orpheum Theatre

Antidote for any remaining '76 doubters: Comes a Time>TOO>Eyes>TOO>GDRFB>One More Saturday Night. Somewhere around 11:30 it Jerry and Bobby start in on a King Sunny Ade-ish juju beat vibe which fits together beautifully.
Comes A Time
July 17, 1976
Orpheum Theatre

Oh this. Yeah. This one. Oh yeah. Nothin' else like it. Comes out of nothing, just whispers and hints, starts slow, never plodding, and then it jams like no other.
Dark Star
Oct. 21, 1971
Auditorium Theatre

Dialed waaaaaaaaay in: Explorations, grooves, meltdowns, the FGJ and then with all their telepathy set on "stun", their first SOTOTW in a year and a half and a smooth re-entry back to the Star's 2nd chorus. You can't just rehearse this: The music played the band here.
Playin' In The Band
Oct. 21, 1971
Auditorium Theatre

Put next to Keith's first one on the 19th, I'd have to say this one doesn't ever lift off. The tempo is slower, there are tuning issues (throughout the set) and while Jerry tries to lead straight out of the head for the deeper cosmos, the band doesn't follow his lead and they bring it back down quickly. On the 19th they just bite into the 10-beat form so hard that it almost pushes Jerry onward and to my ears it just flows better. Naturally these are both just amazing shows and must-knows for their historical and musical (!) importance, but my vote goes to the 19th. You can tell PiTB is just about to break its chrysalis. Damned they're both good.
Playin' In The Band
June 14, 1985
Greek Theater

Schizophrenia-inducing sound effects thanks to SeƱor Healy and a seductive "Bobby" whispered as though FROM INSIDE YOUR OWN HEAD at strange intervals during the jam.