headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3668


Submissions

4
The Other One
Feb. 28, 1970
Family Dog at the Great Highway

Oversight Alert! Conversational then a violent row ensues. A total taste treat. 1970.
7
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
March 21, 1985
Hampton Coliseum

Voice shot, Garcia hums through his spidery 13 lb. guitar. With a lovely China Cat peak @4:30.
13
Tennessee Jed
March 19, 1977
Winterland Arena

(a) Garcia with aluminum pipe, (b) Purdie Shuffle '77 Pace, (c) Perfect Dynamic Control
7
Sugaree
Dec. 8, 1973
Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke U

As a queen sits down, knowing that a chair will be there,/ Or a general raises his hand and is given the field-glasses
3
Big River
Dec. 4, 1973
Cincinnati Gardens

Dictionary entry: 1973 Big River - effortless & downstream. Exhibit A.

Comments

Playin' In The Band
Sept. 24, 1972
Palace Theatre

Kruetzmann is all over the place, but never stops swinging. That's what makes these '72 Playins so bubbly and alive. Ace stuff.
Sugaree
May 26, 1977
Baltimore Civic Center

Sometimes I think May '77 Sugarees are a little over-praised (I prefer June '76), but this one is just a lovely slice of perfection (like so much of this show). And then I remember: May '77 is home of some of the very best versions of the songs they played on that tour. That only makes 87% sense to me.
The Music Never Stopped
May 26, 1977
Baltimore Civic Center

Holy shit! This is a colossus. Perfect and nuanced and ace dynamics. Smoooch!
The Other One
April 21, 1969
The Ark

It's difficult for me to understand how this iteration doesn't have a boatload of votes. It's transcendent.
Playin' In The Band
May 19, 1977
Fox Theatre

I can hear thought bubbles galore with this one. A favorite in a favorite show. The amazing dynamic shading from May 1977 perfectly applied. No one overplays or gets sloppy - just inspired improvisation of the highest order.