headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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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.
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Comments

Row Jimmy
Sept. 18, 1974
Parc des Expositions

Smooth and mysterious, with lots of great slide and rhodes soloing. I always find a special trippiness to this song: Not gangbusters psychedelia, but an aqueous otherworldliness that this version captures nicely.
Smokestack Lightnin'
March 18, 1967
Winterland Arena

Brilliant and perfect Pig on this one. Apparently they opened for Chuck Berry, then played a second set after him. Any heads out there know what he thought of them and their take on his music?
Alligator
Sept. 3, 1967
Dance Hall

Unrelenting hurricane. A strong dose.
Viola Lee Blues
Sept. 3, 1967
Dance Hall

Easy to overlook the '67 Dead with so many great years after. Don't make such an error, cause they're just bursting with power. Real mind-blowing work on this VLB. Enjoy.
Bird Song
Nov. 17, 1972
Century II Convention Hall

More love needed for this sweet beauty. Elegant yet powerful - a real treat. I often wonder why such a beautiful song with obvious jam potential was mothballed for so long during some peak years. Any ideas?
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