headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

hvd

sleuth

+21570


Submissions

15
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
April 21, 1984
Philadelphia Civic Center

A quick and driven entrance into the Help featuring Brent and Phil filling elusively and Jerry nailing it; Very intricate Knot; Infectious Franklins.
4
New Minglewood Blues
April 21, 1984
Philadelphia Civic Center

A roaring Minglewood; Check Weir's good slide solo, Garcia's ripping solo; Some fat Phil and some Gospel Brent.
4
Friend of the Devil
April 21, 1984
Philadelphia Civic Center

Poignant yet not somber, slow but not dragging; Mellow serene and emotive; Very strong full band interplay.
12
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Dec. 31, 1984
SF Civic

Headiness such as this excluded? THIS S>F is downright profound. Perhaps due to the passing of Parish's wife and daughter, Garcia adds some dark vibes
6
Loser
April 26, 1984
Providence Civic Center

Saloon distant gambling vibe dark and killer

Comments

Deep Elem Blues
May 15, 1970
Fillmore East (Late Show)

Good call! Love Deep Elm Blues, especially the 1970 versions, some other great versions are 8/5/70 and 5/2/70.
Cumberland Blues
April 27, 1971
Fillmore East

Love all Cumberland Blues from 1971. Garcia seems to incorporate many bluegrass influences into the Cumberlands during this year. Being a bluegrass enthusiast myself, that suits my interests well. Sometimes, during some of these Cumberland's it seems as if Garcia is trying to play his guitar like a banjo. Fast, concise, and compact finger picking. This sound was only apparent for a few years before slowly diminishing in later years. In the 9/21/72 Dark Star there is a great example of Garcia's bluegrass banjo jamming. This Cumberland here, however, is smoking, nice call.
Hard to Handle
April 27, 1971
Fillmore East

Carrion, thanks for getting me onto this one. Garcia plays around a little, before launching into an absolutely scorching solo. Love this one. I think the reason, why I haven't heard it before is that it was left off of the Ladies and Gentlemen CD. Each show should really be listened to as an individual document of the great run, the compilation doesn't seem to do it the best justice as this version looks as if its slipped through the cracks.
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
Sept. 21, 1972
The Spectrum

The best.
Bird Song
Sept. 21, 1972
The Spectrum

This hits smack dab in the crosshairs of what works in a Bird Song. Jazzy, and smooth, Garcia hits perfect note after perfect note, and slides this one to the outer reaches of exploration. Love this rendition and could listen to it all day. The show here at the Spectrum is almost beyond legendary.