headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49667


Submissions

1
Big Railroad Blues
Dec. 31, 1970
Winterland Arena

Not on the list, but hidden in an unfortunately cut Easy Wind. Tinny recording but killer, fast, and furious jamming.
7
Smokestack Lightnin'
Dec. 28, 1970
Legion Stadium

Soulful pure blues. This is an intimate, informal show. It ain't slick, and that's just fine.
1
Playin' In The Band
April 15, 1971
Allegheny College

Only 2 months old, and 22nd time: They were working hard on it, and you can hear the explosive potential. Manic warbler mode, Main 10 at the surface.
1
Truckin'
Dec. 28, 1970
Legion Stadium

Tight simmering burner here, with nice Bobby/Jerry mix levels. Pig on organ is a little lost, so try headphones for some fun.
1
Me and Bobby McGee
Dec. 27, 1970
Legion Stadium

Starts simple and grows into a triumph. Can't help but think these meant a lot to the boys right after JJ's passing. Beautiful.

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.