headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49667


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

Not Fade Away
May 8, 1977
Barton Hall - Cornell University

Agreed with Whiskeyclone: It all comes together nicely here.
St. Stephen
May 8, 1977
Barton Hall - Cornell University

Damned good post-hiatus Steven, but the best? I just can't see it, not that 'best' is ever objective. More energetic would be 22 Jan '78 (hot stuff!), but for my stolen face I'd say any '69 Dark Star>Steven>The Eleven is as close to the Dead's ultimate essence as anything. Also check out 12-13 Oct. '68 for some phantasmogoric psychetropozebraosity straight from Mars that can yank you out of '77 and slingshot you into the prima materia.
Deal
May 8, 1977
Barton Hall - Cornell University

Ok, I'm a big pre-hiatus fan and all, but this is just a damned fine version. No question, Barton is a great show.
Morning Dew
Jan. 17, 1968
Carousel Ballroom

Rippingly good. Jerry's solos and vocals over the emerging '68 sound just blow this one over the top.
Dark Star
Dec. 18, 1973
Curtis Hixon Convention Hall

Really beautiful version, with a unique, but short MLB 'round about 8:00 or so. So many different lyrical and rhythmical evolutions throughout, and a glorious trip into the unknown realms incorporating a blown speaker in what 15 years later might be called a midi-jam.