headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

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.

Comments

Viola Lee Blues
Dec. 1, 1966
Studio demo

Definitely shows the progress they were making towards the Anthem era of deep deep psychedelic group-mind.
Cold Rain and Snow
Dec. 1, 1966
Studio demo

The dates may be dubious, but the playing isn't. This rocks. Check out Phil throwing bombs, way back in '66.
Good Morning Little Schoolgirl
Nov. 29, 1966
The Matrix

Pretty much a pimp anthem at this point. This one is dirty... and an amazing statement from '66 about where they'd go with Pig in the lead for the next five years.
Early Morning Rain
Nov. 29, 1966
The Matrix

Ultra-rarity and so much fun. What a treat.
Smokestack Lightnin'
Nov. 19, 1966
Fillmore Auditorium

Jerry's metallic tone and Bobby's angular hard-swiping slasher effect turn the jam into a wild industrial ride. Pigpen is of course in perfect form. All in all it's hard to believe this is '66. Good ol' Grateful Dead indeed - with a biting hard edge that shows how they could already turn on a dime from peaceful hippies into a dangerous menacing force at this stage.