headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49652


Submissions

1
Playin' In The Band
June 4, 1976
Paramount Theatre

This is a weird one. At times it seems like they forgot it was PiTB and went back to the HSF jam. Fun, but waaaaaaaaay loose.
1
Lazy Lightnin' -> Supplication
June 4, 1976
Paramount Theatre

Short, sweet, brand new, and flawless.
1
Friend of the Devil
June 4, 1976
Paramount Theatre

Brilliant early "slow version". I always prefered the desperado fast-paced ones, but this turns into a brilliant exploration and improv vehicle.
3
Uncle John's Band
Dec. 31, 1972
Winterland Arena

Uptempo, powerful, strong vocals. This is top shelf UJB. With David Crosby for that extra oomph, and with a tigh outro, it's strangely not here yet.
4
Jack Straw
Dec. 31, 1972
Winterland Arena

Like every other song in the first set, this is just pristine, air-play level perfection. Beautiful fills by Keith here, too.

Comments

Hard to Handle
April 27, 1971
Fillmore East

Damn right, hvd sleuth. I've not really a fan of the compilation 'highlights' approach and enjoy taking on whole concerts, which like this one give us a real time machine. This is the show with the weird Beach Boys interlude and Jerry ripping on 'Okie from Muskogee' (!!!). This H2H stands on its own, but seems more full of signifiers and meaning as part of the whole. Glad you dug it.
Hard to Handle
April 27, 1971
Fillmore East

Come on heads, the Hollywood version's got raw energy, but this one is just sitting there unloved. Vote it up! I'd say the musicianship here is up there with the best of them. It heats up, simmers along, starts boiling hard and heavy, then jumps into into supernova mode and The Theme at about 06:15 in. More Votes!
Let It Grow
June 9, 1976
Boston Music Hall

Play this for anyone who tells you that '76 was all about the slow.
Hard to Handle
Aug. 6, 1971
Hollywood Palladium

I recommend that fans of this one mosey on over to April '71 and listen to each and every version of H2H there. I won't contend this immortal monster's place at the top of the whole shebanging pile, but there are some massively underloved versions on the list. Just scroll down and click - they're all on this page. Enjoy 'em all heady friends.
Hard to Handle
April 22, 1971
Bangor Municipal Auditorium

April '71 is a peak month for the Dead and each H2H shows off who/what they were perfectly. No bad ones in this patch folks. Take the time to check 'em out if you like the Hollywood Palladium one from later this year - they don't disappoint. This one stands out for me with a super-tight and pressure-cooking jam leading to the out chorus.