headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49777


Submissions

4
Candyman
June 3, 1976
Paramount Theatre

Keith and Donna on this are just wonderful. Strong version all around, but Keith's fillis are just outta sight.
8
Me and My Uncle
Dec. 31, 1971
Winterland Arena

Intensity encapsulated in the middle of a TOO jam outta this world. Here's as good an example of the cowboy psychedelicore Winter '71 as you can find.
3
Me and Bobby McGee
Dec. 15, 1971
Hill Auditorium

A bit faster and carried along with a strong backbeat from Mr. K. makes this one special. Perfect ensemble singing arrangement too.
20
Run Run Rudolph
Dec. 14, 1971
Hill Auditorium

Pigpen, Chuck Berry, Santa Claus, because fuck yeah, that's why.
10
Not Fade Away
Dec. 10, 1971
Fox Theatre

Dec '71 NFA-GDTRFB-NFAs are all powerful statements of the band's essential unity. I love how China Cat peaks out atcha during the jams.

Comments

Chinatown Shuffle
March 23, 1972
Academy of Music

With a little WRS - Prelude noodling during the tuning afterwards. Cool to hear it so early on, even if it's just for a second.
Black Throated Wind
March 23, 1972
Academy of Music

Bobby sounds great. His voice is on point and even his high-intensity emotional finish fits in perfectly with the tight energy of the band.
Playin' In The Band
March 22, 1972
Academy of Music

Another historically interesting heavyweight from this pivotal transition moment for Playin', which is arguably my all-around favorite GD vehicle. This one, unlike the night before, still has a few The Main Ten moments, but also the spacey Playin' jam that we'd know from later in the year. My sense is that they worked hard on expanding Playin' during the winter break, as these first ones from the year (22 March, 21 March and 02 January) sound almost nothing like the versions from December '71. Just goddamned wonderful. Put this one on the mixtape that plays on a loop over my tombstone folks....
Big Railroad Blues
March 22, 1972
Academy of Music

Great harp work from Pigpen.
Wharf Rat
March 21, 1972
Academy of Music

Both this WR and the long TOO before it are flirting with Dark Star. This is a deep version: Jerry gives it so much emotion, and the whole band is locked in to a soundscape that gives it that extra x-factor.