headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+48136


Submissions

5
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Oct. 30, 1972
Ford Auditorium

Brilliant, crisp ideas and tight ensemble playing on a warm Bear AUD. Just exactly perfect.
2
Brown Eyed Women
Oct. 28, 1972
Cleveland Public Hall

One of those note-for-note perfect versions that leave you staggered and smiling. Just beautiful.
2
Sugaree
Oct. 28, 1972
Cleveland Public Hall

Not a song I usually get so swept up by, but on this one Jer's vocals are just perfect, capturing the sweetness and sorrow of the lyrics. A beaut.
4
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Oct. 28, 1972
Cleveland Public Hall

High-powered and tight. This show has nothing but complaints about the mix on the archive. Listen to the Ashley transfer, and see what you've missed.
2
Tomorrow Is Forever
Oct. 27, 1972
Veterans' Memorial Hall

Such sweet harmony, such sweet sentiment - turning on a dime after the white-hot Dew. Shows the beautiful country chops Donna at her best brought.

Comments

Friend of the Devil
Oct. 10, 1976
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

Oomph and swagger here, with Donna's dulcet harmonies adding just that sweet touch that make the ballad interpretation so beautiful (though I'm partial to the uptempo bluegrass versions overall). This has a pulse that pushes against the tempo ever so nicely, helping the swing never drag. Keith leads a beautiful interlude during the middle section -- but then Jerry takes him to school with a blazing solo.
Deal
Oct. 10, 1976
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

90's Deal fans should have a listen here for a great example of how they could turn this out in any era when the spirit took them. Jerry is just on fire here.
Might As Well
Oct. 10, 1976
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

My personal theory is that they wouldn't play Might As Well unless Jerry was feeling pretty good, and it's therefore a decent indicator of an energetic show and good party. This show opener is no exception! The 9th gets all the love for its great 2nd set, but Dick knew what for by releasing it together with this show on the 10th. DP33 is genuinely better quality than the other versions on the Archive too.
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
Oct. 9, 1976
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Stadium

The Slipknot reprise out of Samson is tremendous, and as far as I know unique. Rebuilding slipknot from a totally different groove than normal is just wildly impressive. (Not that it could be easy out of Help on the Way either, it's just a known animal.)
St. Stephen
Oct. 9, 1976
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Stadium

Makes you wonder how it was knowing that the Who were on next at this show. Seems like they were driven with intensity and purpose throughout the show, maybe a kind of musical assertiveness: "You come to our turf... top that!" kind of friendly competition. Jerry also jokes in an interview at one point about how The Who were a tough act to follow at Woodstock.