headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3673


Submissions

4
Ship of Fools
Oct. 18, 1978
Winterland Arena

An especially sharp and spirited specimen - expressive vocals, the rhythm section is precise, and Garcia's guitar break is masterful. A still life.
6
Tennessee Jed
Oct. 1, 1977
Paramount Theatre

Energetic, serene AND Garcia's break is pure ragtime gold. In a good TJ, the guitar is a character. Here: a little insolent. Quality.
2
The Wheel
June 28, 1976
Auditorium Theatre

That spacious, unadorned June 1976 sound is so perfect for The Wheel. This one's dynamic and delivered with feeling. Cool show.
2
Cumberland Blues
March 20, 1971
University of Iowa

Oh man: LISTEN! Vocals are mixed a bit high, but this Cumberland has all the important "little" details. Notes the quotes. B'AM!!!!
1
Tennessee Jed
July 12, 1976
Orpheum Theater

1976: Your standard issue tipsy, warm-hearted TJ of the period. The guitar break is more conversation than guitar solo. Standard but special.
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Comments

China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Oct. 17, 1972
Fox Theatre

Wheelhouse shit! Was the group ever more telepathic?
Dark Star
Oct. 31, 1971
Ohio Theatre

Great, super lively, and liquidy novel. I'm not as much as Tighten Up fan as many, but it fits very nicely. And yes, the transition into Sugar Mag is wow.
Dark Star
Aug. 21, 1972
Berkeley Community Theater

Wow - the expansion after the first verse is cinematic, orchestral even. I've never really heard anything like it. Nuts. At @17:00, the cruiser flies apart in slow motion. Top drawer. Led in many ways by Godchaux's Debusseyesque runs.
Not Fade Away
March 24, 1970
Pirates World

Raw and searing, big stereo torpedo. A pretty epic 6 minutes.
Black Throated Wind
Oct. 2, 1972
Springfield Civic Center

Big fan of this whole show - the BTW included. Just strong, confident, and dynamic. Are there really versions from the 90s above this? That's taking artistic relativism to a silly extreme. This show is probably underrated simply b/c there are so many amazing shows during this stretch, some stone classics get unfairly overlooked. I don't make the rules.
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