headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49677


Submissions

2
Big Railroad Blues
Aug. 15, 1971
Berkeley Community Theater

Kicks off an excellent show with intense and driving energy. The quintet is super-charged and bursting with energy. One of the best versions I know.
2
Playin' In The Band
Aug. 14, 1971
Berkeley Community Theater

Packs a lot into its 4.5 short minutes. Great bass-heavy SBD gives you a Phil masterclass. Love the short ones, love the long ones....
4
Casey Jones
Aug. 5, 1971
Hollywood Palladium

Just kickin', this one. The whole show is dynamite.
2
El Paso
Aug. 4, 1971
Terminal Island Correctional Facility

One of the slower waltz versions, with lovely vocals from Cowboy Bob, who gives us a nice country warble. Sweet backup harmony and Jer being Jer.
6
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Aug. 4, 1971
Terminal Island Correctional Facility

Philzone masterclass. Hot and tight jam, the Rider three-part harmonies sound like some of the acoustic versions from the previous year.
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Comments

Morning Dew
Sept. 21, 1974
Palais Des Sports

This show gets maligned for its looseness and at times less-than-fully ensemble playing. But I have another take: it was the end of the tour, and besides the Winterland October run, quite possibly the last Grateful Dead show ever. They were tired, it seems clear, but they opened up the hatches and let everything out just to see what would happen. Result: this Dew is slower, more thoughtful, but no less intense. Blazing in places, then introspective, melancholy, and experimental. Give the show a generous listen. It's interesting because of its flaws, not only in spite of them.
Eyes Of The World
Sept. 21, 1974
Palais Des Sports

The heavy 'dark' quality here is quite bracing. Reminiscent of some of Miles Davis' music from the era: 'Bitches Brew' and Live-Evil, and Agharta/Pangaea. And I mean this in a most beautiful way. If some of you Heads don't know this particular seam of influence on our boys, then check it out.
Eyes Of The World
Sept. 21, 1974
Palais Des Sports

Damned double post. Sorry mates.
Fire On The Mountain
July 27, 1973
Grand Prix Racecourse

Listened again: it isn't only the two-chord FTM vamp jam that makes this a bone fide embryonic version: They're definitely working out melodic themes that would become the song we love from years later. Damn, I love the Dead.
Around and Around
May 25, 1977
The Mosque

Goddamn, but this whole 2nd set is just immortal. They knew they'd killed it: Just listen to half the band ending while the other half sez, "hell no, we ain't done yet" and then they break into double time. Almost seems like they'd have doubled it again, but maybe the theater manager was pointing at his watch or something. Fuck 'em, cause they weren't done yet and we get some Johnny B. Goode to send it off. Mmm mmm Goode indeed.
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