headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

parrott56

millennial head

+4803


Submissions

2
Me and My Uncle
Sept. 14, 1978
Sphinx Theatre

Carries forward the energy and vibe of the preceding Ollin>NFA. Kind of mesmerizing.
3
When I Paint My Masterpiece
Oct. 27, 1990
The Zenith

Eloquent Jerry solo elevates this one unexpectedly.
6
U.S. Blues (Wave That Flag)
July 7, 1978
Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Don’t always love the ’78s for this tune, but this howling version certainly warrants attention.
2
The Eleven
April 4, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

Another brilliant April '69 Eleven that just doesn't let up. Forceful, but totally unforced.
2
Turn On Your Love Light
April 4, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

Brilliantly strange. T.C.'s organ adds stuttering weirdness to a churning groovathon.

Comments

Dark Star
Oct. 9, 1989
Hampton Coliseum

Fortunately I love Space and MIDI Dead. :-) Don’t get me wrong, this is not as good as the best versions from ’69–’74, but it is HEAVY. A complete mindmelt. In context, the climax of one of the best pre-Drums sequences of the decade. I love it.
Stella Blue
Oct. 25, 1973
Dane County Coliseum

This version is just about perfect. Not a note out of place.
Playin' In The Band
April 22, 1977
The Spectrum

There’s a delicate midjam digression in D major with Keith on Moog. Totally unlike any other version I’ve heard. Amazing.
Caution
April 29, 1972
Musikhalle

Just devastating. Holy hell.
St. Stephen
March 20, 1977
Winterland Arena

“Some of the worst singing the Dead ever did”? You’ve got to be kidding me. There are some vocal performances from the ’60s and mid-’80s that would like to have a word with you. This is average singing from one of their better years vocally. Also, the noodling here is fairly substantive. All in all, an easy upvote, if not quite the absolute best post-hiatus version. (Check out 1/11/78!)