headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3668


Submissions

10
Jack Straw
June 10, 1973
RFK Stadium

Relaxed and joyous space-age electric guitar semi-ballad.
9
Bertha
Feb. 21, 1971
Capitol Theater

Warp speed, precise, slightly unhinged, and driving into the greenish-blue evening.
1
Jack Straw
Oct. 30, 1971
Taft Auditorium

Godchaux leads a version that seethes with the excitement of a new song.
3
Brown Eyed Women
May 20, 1973
U.C.

A giggly, slangy Garcia masterpiece (in sweet show sauce). Goes down EZ.
8
Mexicali Blues
Feb. 28, 1973
Salt Palace

So good you can practically see the border town.
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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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