headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

FreedomHaul

Grateful Novice

+17694


Submissions

7
Friend of the Devil
Jan. 11, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

Nice and slow! It's like Garcia can't play a wrong note tonight! Some nice support from the full band at the climax (esp. Keith).
3
Cassidy
Jan. 11, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

A bit faster than I usually prefer it, but this is probably one of the last versions with Donna that’s decent, if you prefer her harmonies to Brent’s.
7
Pretty Peggy O
Jan. 11, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

Nice reading with extended solos from Garcia. His voice is a bit rough, but he's singing emotively.
9
Sugaree
Jan. 11, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

Solid show opener (I can leave Weir's slide parts, though). Jerry's clearly having a good night.
3
Looks Like Rain
June 4, 1978
Campus Stadium - University Of California

Part of me wishes they tried this hard all the time. Very nice version.

Comments

Dark Star
Feb. 15, 1973
Dane County Coliseum

To my ears, the highlights of show are the “HCS” and the “DS > Eyes > Doll.” The sequence is interesting because of the moves from dark/minor to light/major within “DS,” then in the transition to “Eyes,” and finally at the end of “China Doll.”
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Nov. 30, 1980
Fox Theatre

Also, the transition sounds silky because Garcia starts playing groups off the beat, and eventually the whole band swirls back around him until he's back on the one. It's stunning.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Nov. 30, 1980
Fox Theatre

Absolutely. Sometimes the official releases get some bad press, but this is hot. Plus, the first official matrix? If this catches on, think of the stuff that could get a serious upgrade. Worth it for that potential alone, much less the nasty version..
Row Jimmy
April 18, 1987
Irvine Meadows

You lucky dog! Yeah, I've begin to notice that as I've ventured beyond the 70s. There are times it's good (far less exploration that sometimes goes nowhere), and times I miss it terribly (like the China > Rider from a few nights before, when the whole band is eating the tune alive). I guess I have to adjust my expectations, but this is good regardless of what I was expecting.
Sugaree
April 3, 1987
The Centrum