headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+48136


Submissions

2
Casey Jones
March 5, 1972
Winterland Arena

After a pretty sloppy 1st set, they charge up and nail this one. Phil goes bananas on the out chorus.
3
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
March 5, 1972
Winterland Arena

Notable for the "miracle beer" Bobby passes around to launch the song. "Everybody just wet your tongue". Okaaaaaay.
3
Playin' In The Band
Jan. 2, 1972
Winterland Arena

One of the last ones with a clear "The Main Ten" jam in it (around 2:50), namely the primordial ooze that becomes the Playin' we know in a few months.
1
Mexicali Blues
Jan. 2, 1972
Winterland Arena

Fully loaded, hard charger. Tight, uptempo, and jumping.
1
Tennessee Jed
Jan. 2, 1972
Winterland Arena

Clanging twanging banger with just enough grit in the gears, could have gone a bit higher, but tight and right in its way. Underrated show here folks.

Comments

Caution
Feb. 11, 1969
Fillmore East

I don't always think "coherent" when I think of Caution. I love it for its out-of-control spinning like a lopsided top, but this one is a strong singular statement of intensity and hard shredding before it tips over into tweaky feedback. Like the Dark Star earlier in the set they seemed to hold it in throughout this killer set, and the result is tight, strong showing of the legendary '69 sound.
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?!?