headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3668


Submissions

13
Bird Song
Feb. 21, 1971
Capitol Theater

An intimate very early Bird Song - Quartet-styled, which serves this song really well. Also: you can hear the thinking, especially between guitars.
3
Tennessee Jed
July 21, 1972
Paramount Northwest Theater

Ho-Hum: Another outstanding 1972 TJ. This gem from the sorta overlooked summer tour. Garcia aces the break, natch. Band - unconscious. Whew! at end.
6
Candyman
June 21, 1976
Tower Theater

From Garcia's cheeky intro on, this graceful cabochon throws a faint, warm light. 1976 elegance w/a sick, raw spider web guitar break.
2
Wharf Rat
March 21, 1985
Hampton Coliseum

First show - I didn't know this gem very well & after this criss-crossy version, I was hooked. Dark & murky.
3
Loser
July 21, 1972
Paramount Northwest Theater

Download Series - An intimate, casual living room Loser. Garcia coming out of the guitar break is divine. Not the actor.

Comments

St. Stephen
Feb. 2, 1970
Fox Theatre

Totally mastery. One of my all time favorites - into an mesmerizing jam into Mason's Children. Top o' the sleeve to you.
The Other One
April 5, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

I just think this one is unfairly overlooked. A little. Spirals out of control but never really loses control. Ferocious and merciless: Garcia's outta bounz.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
July 7, 1989
JFK Stadium

"the heart of gold ban-DUH" Nice! I was at this show and I don't recall this version being as good as it is. Probably b/c my car was sitting on the shoulder of the Schuylkill River overpass with a flat tire. Yeah - we left it there and walked down to the show.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
July 1, 1985
Merriweather Post Pavilion

How this is surpassed by versions from the 90s still baffles me.
Wharf Rat
April 12, 1971
Civic Arena

In the first half, they're definitely feeling their way through. Not 100% sure where all the changes are. Not a turn-off though. From the bridge on, they build powerful momentum until they kick into high gear in the outro jam. I don't know if Garcia's playing the peanut guitar or what, but it sounds fab. And yeah - evil use of the wah.