headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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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.
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Comments

Looks Like Rain
June 9, 1976
Boston Music Hall

Magic. This show is wall-to-wall highlights, but this... this is just top shelf. Bobby and Donna nail the harmonies throughout, Phil gives the master class and Jerry is simultaneously peaking after peaking as the soloist while somehow tucked away under the singers, supporting it all.
Let It Grow
Sept. 10, 1974
Alexandra Palace

Not my favorite WRS of the year, but one of my favorite LIGs. They just crush the jam coming out of the lyrics, as the man said.
Loser
Sept. 10, 1974
Alexandra Palace

Very hot version from a chronically underrated show.
Estimated Prophet
April 26, 1977
Capitol Theater

This song was still in its infancy and to my ears this is the first one that really tuned into to the freaky frequencies that turn the best ones into the high-potency medicine that can either keep you grounded or freak you out: The off-kilter, odd meter, voices-in-the-head "na-na-na-na-nas", the protagonist's screaming madness, and the triumph of Jerry's solo on the edge of sacred illumination. Here's the video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIXnAXfjzD4.
Let It Grow
June 10, 1976
Boston Music Hall

Play this for anyone who thinks '76 is 'too slow'. They are way up on top of this on and Billy and Mickey just open it up and own it.
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