headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+48135


Submissions

1
Black Throated Wind
Oct. 23, 1972
Milwaukee Performing Arts Center

Solid heady version with a great build-up. Sound is only B quality though.
4
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
Oct. 19, 1972
Fox Theatre

One of the rare versions that stands apart with or without its NFA bread.
6
Dire Wolf
Oct. 19, 1972
Fox Theatre

For a song that was effectively out of rotation at this point, they pulled it off with sing-round-the-campfire sweetness. Jerry growls it out.
6
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Oct. 19, 1972
Fox Theatre

Sweet version with an innovative transition. The whole band was on, but Keith and Phil are high in the mix and brilliant..
3
Bertha
Oct. 19, 1972
Fox Theatre

Recording is good, with Keith and Phil high in the mix. Everyone is switched way on, and the jamming shows perfect unity.

Comments

The Eleven
Feb. 11, 1969
Fillmore East

This has to be one of the most up-tempo versions they ever played, and they skipped the lyrics, but so what. (Sounds like they're looking to drop them in around minute four, but they hit the kick into the blues groove instead). Keeping 11/8 groove going like this is no mean feat, they just slay it every which way. Powerful stuff from '69.
St. Stephen
Feb. 11, 1969
Fillmore East

Moves along nicely until they find the turbo button and it then it gets shot out of the cannon and gears up brilliantly for the last verse and WTO>11.
Mountains of the Moon
Feb. 11, 1969
Fillmore East

Beautiful, subtle, great mix cleanup on the box set version. Phil's steady pulse underscores Tom's gentle keys, and Jerry sings like an angel. It really doesn't get better than this according to this old Carrion Crow.
Dupree's Diamond Blues
Feb. 11, 1969
Fillmore East

The banter alone is worth an upvote, with Bill Graham is gifted a cowbell and inducted into the band.... Then the late show starts with this sweet, simple version. That's presumably TC on the steam calliope and who but the Dead would even try such a thing?!?
Dark Star
April 24, 1972
Rheinhalle

Back here for more. It's really that good. After nearly 40 minutes of creating whole cosmos out of the air it almost sounds like they might land back into Playin' then maybe back into Dark Star melody for the second chorus, then into that beautiful Wharf Rat. Like a spinning twenty-sided die it could have landed anywhere, perfectly. G'damn, but this one deserves its spot on the front page.