headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3529


Submissions

10
Loser
March 24, 1973
The Spectrum

Heavens! It took a Dave's Picks to get this on the board! Soft, seductive, dark, and pretty much perfectly realized. Guitar break: shit yeah.
3
Estimated Prophet
Dec. 29, 1977
Winterland Arena

Bold, sharp, confident version with plenty of 1977 squoosh. This version has that great '77 restraint with Garcia speaking in MuTron tongues.
5
Brown Eyed Women
Oct. 29, 1973
Kiel Auditorium

Attention. To. Detail. - ESP Weir. Not the world's greatest recording, but the band is bubbly & effortless.
3
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
July 31, 1971
Yale Bowl, Yale University

Listened to this on a big PA outside over the summer and it's so alive, athletic, and filled with beautiful instrumental cross-talk. Improv!
3
Sugaree
June 4, 1976
Paramount Theatre

Another example of how Sugaree thrived in 6/76: Garcia's sweet, mellow, bubbly silver thread guitar and group dynamics both jaunty & subtle. Primo.

Comments

Brown Eyed Women
June 8, 1977
Winterland Arena

A band in complete control. A Hunter/Garcia masterpiece. Dynamics! The guitar break is cerebral and cool. Not much else you can ask a Grateful Dead song.
Jack Straw
May 18, 1977
Fox Theatre

A great month for Jack Straw. This one isn't as slick as some, but I've always considered a bit of a go to. Set 2 opener gives it a little bit of different countenance. Losing points and friends with that word choice.
Playin' In The Band
April 15, 1978
William and Mary College Hall

Fuck yes what? I'm an idiot or this a really good Playin'? Both can be true.
Morning Dew
Nov. 17, 1973
Pauley Pavilion - University of California

Seque of seques! Genius. One of my favorite versions of this song. Although it's a song for which I need to be in the mood. It's a repetitive, bluesy thing. And it's a heavy, chewy feast when your loins are not girded. Properly, anyway. I find this one goes down quite smoothly. Garcia emoting. The interplay, the control and restraint, the whole package. I give it this year's Shoshanna Lonstein Gruss Gold Star of Courage! See you next year!
Uncle John's Band
Nov. 17, 1973
Pauley Pavilion - University of California

Finally getting around to this mighty trio! The entry from Playin' wobbles slightly, but a nice, warm, clean Garcia line pretty quickly dispels any doubts. That Wobble was way back THERE! An intimate version of a sweet song , thoughtfully played.