headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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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.
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Comments

St. Stephen
Dec. 29, 1968
Gulfstream Park Race Track

Crystalline and regal - 68 was the most baroque year and it always suited this song perfectly. Not better than the following year, but more than holds its own - it's a beautiful, polished little package of dizzying entertainment. Starting to realize enormous power. Don't look: some ball swinging here.
Dark Star
Feb. 14, 1970
Fillmore East

The night before is so etched in my brain I sometimes overlook this. Which is crazy! In any other sane time, this one would have a city block named after it. This Dark Star gives you everything. Why shop anywhere else? Well, lots of reasons. No disrespect.
Playin' In The Band
July 16, 1976
Orpheum Theatre

I will say it again: top shelf. 1976 Playins' are some of the spaciest, most diamond-eyed cruisers in the galaxy. Of course, Playin' > Stronger > Cosmic Charlie does tend to stack the deck a little bit. Not always fair.
Scarlet Begonias
Sept. 25, 1976
Capital Centre

For me, this one takes a little while to really come together - everyone - even though it's revved up from the start. The wide open improv jam is really subtle, dynamic, and what ultimately thrusts this version into the upper atmosphere. Some seriously telepathic work. In other words: a grower, this.
The Music Never Stopped
June 10, 1976
Boston Music Hall

Crackly, crunchy, and smooooove. Clean, tight Garcia simmers.
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