headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49652


Submissions

16
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.
15
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.
8
Mister Charlie
May 13, 1972
Lille Fairgrounds

Distinctly slower, with a greasier funk vibe. Surprised it isn't here. Different from the others and lots of fun.

Comments

The Other One
Nov. 7, 1971
Harding Theatre

Beautiful and hard charging version with a mysteriously perfect segue into MAMU, but it's the outro that just slays me with its mysterious and light-as air melodic jam before the power finale. Strong stuff here, know your dose.
Playin' In The Band
April 24, 1972
Rheinhalle

Good call cgarces! I love this one.
Me and My Uncle
Nov. 7, 1971
Harding Theatre

There are passages in the Dark Star hinting that they knew exactly where they were going with this brilliant TOO>MAMU>TOO sandwich. Keith's honky tonk piano, like it does in the Mexicali Blues earlier is just perfect here, and combined with the heavy trippin-balls Other One vibe makes this a standout version.
Mexicali Blues
Nov. 6, 1971
Harding Theater

Acid carnival, complete with honky tonk piano, wild chaos, and a dubious narrative ringleader.
Comes A Time
Nov. 7, 1971
Harding Theatre

Beautiful version, but it isn't the only time they sang the 2nd "when words come out" verse. It's there in every version from the song's about a month earlier. I think it's really the key verse for to the meaning of the song, and makes me think about times when my anger took me over and left me regretting my actions. Without it, the "feel nothin' at all" lyrics take on a darker sense altogether (in my opinion). I wonder if they took it out when it seemed like the song was a bit long for a mid-set ballad. I just love these early versions in any case.