headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49712


Submissions

5
Not Fade Away
March 24, 1970
Pirates World

Has it all, and goes seamlessly into a killer Lovelight. Not catching why this show is the bomb? Try HEADPHONES - makes a big difference!
7
Let It Grow
June 26, 1974
Providence Civic Center

As a young head I used to scream out for LIG and this one reminds me why. They click into place for a monster show right here.
12
Scarlet Begonias
June 26, 1974
Providence Civic Center

Scarlet scrambled eggs deconstructed and elemental. Fun and Jerry is on fire, but we can't say 'flawless'. Chaotic fun. Band's just warming up....
10
Wharf Rat
April 5, 1971
Manhattan Center

Beautiful Skull and Roses-era top notch Wharf Rat genius on your ears here for those'll have it. Enjoy, bros.
6
Bird Song
April 17, 1971
Dillon Gym

A strangly deconstructed early version (7th time ever), very loose in the joints. But it rolls along with great lopsided beauty. Interesting.

Comments

Morning Dew
Sept. 21, 1974
Palais Des Sports

This show gets maligned for its looseness and at times less-than-fully ensemble playing. But I have another take: it was the end of the tour, and besides the Winterland October run, quite possibly the last Grateful Dead show ever. They were tired, it seems clear, but they opened up the hatches and let everything out just to see what would happen. Result: this Dew is slower, more thoughtful, but no less intense. Blazing in places, then introspective, melancholy, and experimental. Give the show a generous listen. It's interesting because of its flaws, not only in spite of them.
Eyes Of The World
Sept. 21, 1974
Palais Des Sports

The heavy 'dark' quality here is quite bracing. Reminiscent of some of Miles Davis' music from the era: 'Bitches Brew' and Live-Evil, and Agharta/Pangaea. And I mean this in a most beautiful way. If some of you Heads don't know this particular seam of influence on our boys, then check it out.
Eyes Of The World
Sept. 21, 1974
Palais Des Sports

Damned double post. Sorry mates.
Fire On The Mountain
July 27, 1973
Grand Prix Racecourse

Listened again: it isn't only the two-chord FTM vamp jam that makes this a bone fide embryonic version: They're definitely working out melodic themes that would become the song we love from years later. Damn, I love the Dead.
Around and Around
May 25, 1977
The Mosque

Goddamn, but this whole 2nd set is just immortal. They knew they'd killed it: Just listen to half the band ending while the other half sez, "hell no, we ain't done yet" and then they break into double time. Almost seems like they'd have doubled it again, but maybe the theater manager was pointing at his watch or something. Fuck 'em, cause they weren't done yet and we get some Johnny B. Goode to send it off. Mmm mmm Goode indeed.