headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3673


Submissions

1
Cumberland Blues
Dec. 13, 1969
Swing Auditorium

A cozy little delight - hand percussion, contemplation, great stereo drums, and some rip roaring riffage. Comes in under the radar, but worth a visit.
12
Sugaree
June 18, 1976
Capitol Theatre

As much as I love May 77 Sugarees, Spring 76 is where it's at for me. Subtlety, separation, and Garcia's whispery, silver-dipped guitar breaks.
6
Candyman
April 19, 1978
Veterans Memorial Auditorium

1978: Prime weather for Candyman. This performance, like many from then, highlights the bleak world of the narrator. Garcia's break: spidery.
4
Tennessee Jed
Oct. 29, 1971
Allen Theatre

Bubbly, bratty storyboard version. Character & twang for miles. I'd pay to see this band. Two for a tenner? Four please.
9
Terrapin Station
April 27, 1977
Capitol Theatre

This is a very sweet Terrapin. Everyone's fired up to play it. All you need to do is watch the vid to see the pure joy this brings Garcia. Memorable.

Comments

The Other One
Nov. 14, 1973
San Diego International Sports Arena

Doesn't allow itself to be labeled. Not one to sit still, this. Dynamic, varied, and yet cohesive. Even though you don't necessarily know Eyes is eventually on its way, you sorta do - it fits the mood this O2 sets up perfectly. And yet it also works splendidly with the Big River. Listen to them listen to each other. Lesh=chocolatey.
Brown Eyed Women
April 24, 1978
Horton Field House - Illinois State University

This one I don't get. I'm all for counter-beats, but the drums in this one just sound like a mistake. Anti-rhythm. Sometimes the snare is on on the 3, sometimes not, like the 2? Like the guys are playing a different song. Awkward and clumsy sounding to me. I know I'm projecting here, but I can't imagine Garcia was overjoyed.
St. Stephen
June 9, 1977
Winterland Arena

Ace transition from Estimated. Into a smooth velvety, choco-moussey cloud of silk. Garcia's hovering like an AV-8B Harrier II. Smooth with some real spine. Underpants sleeve. [3 people know what that last phrase means. They're all me.]
Estimated Prophet
June 9, 1977
Winterland Arena

Top-tier Estimated. Starting from Garcia flatly stating SEVEN in the count-in, this one is a laser ship of confidence. This version misses nothing. Up there w/5/19, 5/8.
The Other One
April 4, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

I know the next two nights are whoppers, but JEEEEZ-L this Other One is a hornets nest! Garcia starts off with some bratty slide - I had to check and make sure there wasn't a guest guitar player. Not to worry - there's lots of '69 Garcia shapeshifting here. This is an enormous Other One in less than 9 minutes. A treat!