headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3673


Submissions

2
Candyman
July 12, 1976
Orpheum Theater

Spare, almost vulnerable take on this classic. Godchaux brings the church and Garcia brings the stained glass. An American beauty.
5
Estimated Prophet
Jan. 30, 1978
Uptown Theater

You can hear the swagger in their mutterings before they play. And the performance bears that out. Sure, smooth, and effortless.
1
It Must Have Been The Roses
Aug. 4, 1974
Philadelphia Civic Center

Letter perfect - the Godchauxs take this to a loftier level. Beautiful dynamic push-and-pull by the whole group.
3
Tennessee Jed
May 25, 1972
Strand Lyceum

Planting the Flag of Civilization on this tight scorcher. New from factory - Inspector #9. Under penalty of law, this tag may not be YEAH GARCIA!
5
Candyman
Jan. 31, 1978
Uptown Theater

Dreamy, motionless rendition on a sea of individual human reactions [audience tape]. A wonderful time for this gem.
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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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