headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3668


Submissions

2
Bertha
March 14, 1971
Camp Randall Field House

At :30 Pig switches from tambourine to organ and we're off! These early '71 performances showcase Kreutzmann reveling in sweet space. Driving.
6
Loser
Feb. 19, 1971
Capitol Theater

A delicate, tight, searching super early version of a staple. Kruetzmann plays it light and springy and that 1971 Lesh caramel bass guitar!
3
Tennessee Jed
June 11, 1976
Boston Music Hall

If you know this smooth customer of a show, you know how drynamic [yes, I typed that] and user friendly this TJ is. An always welcome visitor.
2
Sugaree
June 26, 1976
Auditorium Theatre

Few things better than a June '76 Sugaree. Garcia with the first Travis Bean just sketches with the lightest, barest of precious metal filaments.
3
Tennessee Jed
July 22, 1972
Paramount Northwest Theatre

Summer '72 Jed: Sweet dynamics & precision engineering. Weir & Kreutzmann stir it up during Garcia's guitar break.

Comments

Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
April 24, 1978
Horton Field House - Illinois State University

Love this version - its got lots of highlights, but is the suggestion that the Scarlet>Fire is better in April 78 than May 77 just more anti-May 77 weird backlash? The entire band is tighter, more focused, less flubby, and just plain sounds better in May 77. Here, the drums are already, at times, taking a turn for sneakerville. The cohesion and engine-room propulsion of the May 77 rhythm section has disintegrated noticeably by this point already. And of course Weir's slide guitar (although this is one of the better fits I can remember hearing). Once Garcia gets up to speed @8.35 of Scarlet, he's pretty stunning.
Ramble On Rose
Oct. 10, 1976
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

Crispy and celestial. Garcia takes it to the house at the end. No question.
Wharf Rat
May 22, 1977
The Sportatorium

At this stage, they're so refined they don't really have to think. Auto-pilot in the best way. No thinking just let it happen. This was one of those periods for the group. One of Garcia's best Whart Rat vocals. The sleeve don't get much more topper than this.
Big River
May 26, 1977
Baltimore Civic Center

Garcia comes out snappy! I picture Callan saying this: Don't usually prefer the 2-drummer version of this song, but 7 minutes well spent.
High Time
May 26, 1977
Baltimore Civic Center

Beautiful version. Like Candyman, I could have used more versions of this flower in the May77 Delivery System.