headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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parrott56

millennial head

+4803


Submissions

6
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Nov. 26, 1980
The Sportatorium

Brent lends the transition jam a relaxed fusion vibe. Dreamlike, but doesn't lose precision.
3
Cumberland Blues
May 22, 1982
Greek Theatre - University of California

Hot and tight. Amazing show overall.
3
Smokestack Lightnin'
Sept. 30, 1989
Shoreline Amphitheatre

Brent on the Hammond will send chills down your spine.
15
The Other One
March 28, 1972
Academy of Music

Dick's Picks 30. Band is about to leave for Europe and gives a preview of the tour's signature jam style. Astonishing.
11
The Other One
May 16, 1972
Theatre Hall

A thing of beauty like all the big jams from this tour, this one's every bit as moody and introspective as freaky and paranoid.

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!)