headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49677


Submissions

4
Not Fade Away
April 7, 1971
Boston Music Hall

The jam before is listed as a controlled mind-altering substance in 92 countries, but its cut on the archive is the cruelest thing I know.
3
Casey Jones
April 7, 1971
Boston Music Hall

Intense, driving energy. Phil belts out the chorus like his life depends on it.
3
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
April 7, 1971
Boston Music Hall

CCS is supremely tight, with a bit of that '69 magic sound to it, and IKYR rocks. Followed by a Stephen, so maybe some nostalgia? Sounds great.
2
Hard to Handle
April 4, 1971
Manhattan Center

Great 'Bobby segment', as his solo has come to be known. Whole show overshadowed by the outrageous monster the next day, but still great fun.
3
Sugar Magnolia
March 24, 1971
Winterland Arena

Actually one god-dammned hard rockin' blast-off: Uptempo and hardcore.

Comments

Me and Bobby McGee
April 5, 1971
Manhattan Center

That's Jerry, not Phil, I'm fairly sure. Anyone else? My headphones are busted (don't ask),so I can't listen really deeply like I want to, and it does sound like a little bit of three-part harmony on the very last lines, but Jer is singing backup throughout and the yodel is within his timbrel range. Any historians out there know for sure? Sure is a beaut, anyway.
Good Lovin'
May 3, 1972
Olympia Theater

Pig gets good and filthy right around 10:00.
The Other One
May 2, 1970
Harpur College

Apparently two years and change since I've rechecked this one: I agree with crankyoldhead above. This is an insane rager, for sure, but hard to figure it as the top o'the list other than that it's been released commercially. Strong points: relentless and coherent, but it never tips over the edge, but just stays close to it for a great long journey. To me the cryptical reprise gets closest to the supernova power of, for example 04.26.72 and probably twenty-five others on this page. Not meant as a criticism, but simply an observation.
Dark Star
Sept. 10, 1972
Hollywood Palladium

A wonderful, long, inventive version, full of pure musical jams, a wild post-verse spacemelt, and a glorious return into a beautiful Jack Straw. I reckon it's no higher on the list because the board levels aren't top-shelf, but the recording itself is great, and there's good channel separation so you can hear Bobby's angular knifey stabalong clearly, which is a too-rare treat for the era. (His interaction with Keith and Jerry at about 24:00 is just brilliant.) Listen to it, it's got it all, and I'd nominate this show (excellent all-round) for a cleanup if possible.
He's Gone
Sept. 10, 1972
Hollywood Palladium

Bliss. As close to a perfect statement of He's Gone as I know. The soloing is full of clear, purposeful ideas and Billy drives the whole thing forward with just the right amount of push, never letting it drag a bit. Could be much higher on the list.