headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49737


Submissions

1
Brown Eyed Women
Nov. 13, 1972
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall

The Bear tape is a bit over-saturated, but the band is just killing it from all corners. Don't pass this one up out of aud-o-phobia.
3
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Nov. 13, 1972
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall

Look for the Bear recording, which is the proper speed: You'll find a killer version with an explosive transition than just soars.
1
Loser
Nov. 13, 1972
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall

Jerry's diamond hard-edged tone slices and slashes achingly, hauntingly, and clear desperado mode.
5
Bird Song
Nov. 12, 1972
Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Hall

Just Jerry, Phil, and Bobby are audible in this weird tape - but what a study of their communication. Worth a listen for that alone.
2
Deal
Nov. 12, 1972
Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Hall

Channels missing in the SBD (no keys, quite vocals), but if you want to study just Jerry's solo, (and it's a killer one), then give this a spin.

Comments

Black Throated Wind
March 26, 1972
Academy of Music

Damn right. Sounds like they mastered it long before. Charlie Miller cleanup on this show is all that, too.
Estimated Prophet
May 25, 1977
The Mosque

Donnie's right here. I can't say this one touches the madness that makes this song so special. While my personal opinion is that the Dead were generally more musically interesting in '77 than they were in '91, I also think that the best Estimated Prophets convey jagged, off-kilter, schizophrenia, and could tip you over the edge given the right/wrong mental state. This one sounds like a work in progress - and I think this is one of, if not the best shows in all of '77.
How Sweet It Is
March 25, 1972
Academy of Music

This is one of the most brilliant versions of this song I've ever heard, whether or not I'm also a deadhead. (I am.) Donna never sounded better either.
Smokestack Lightnin'
March 25, 1972
Academy of Music

Pigpen comes out after an hour+ of, shall we say, a not-too-convincing Bo Diddley featuring the Grateful Dead set, and pours it on thick and luscious. Do you think he wanted to step up to Bo D. and say, "now that's how it's done", one bluesman to the next? It seems like the 'lil red rooster wanted to strut in his own backyard here. One of the best, and a painful reminder of how amazing Pigpen's sound could have blended with the emerging seventies Dead. It also sounds like half the band wanted to go into Truckin' for the last five minutes of vamping. Cool how it hovers around but never fully coalesces.
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
March 23, 1972
Academy of Music

Cucamonga's right here. This one has no business with only two votes. Were they completely on fire? Did they leave anyone alive? Did they have to replace all their equipment afterwards? Jeez, this one's a scorcher, and needs to be much higher up.