headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3673


Submissions

13
Bird Song
Feb. 21, 1971
Capitol Theater

An intimate very early Bird Song - Quartet-styled, which serves this song really well. Also: you can hear the thinking, especially between guitars.
3
Tennessee Jed
July 21, 1972
Paramount Northwest Theater

Ho-Hum: Another outstanding 1972 TJ. This gem from the sorta overlooked summer tour. Garcia aces the break, natch. Band - unconscious. Whew! at end.
6
Candyman
June 21, 1976
Tower Theater

From Garcia's cheeky intro on, this graceful cabochon throws a faint, warm light. 1976 elegance w/a sick, raw spider web guitar break.
2
Wharf Rat
March 21, 1985
Hampton Coliseum

First show - I didn't know this gem very well & after this criss-crossy version, I was hooked. Dark & murky.
3
Loser
July 21, 1972
Paramount Northwest Theater

Download Series - An intimate, casual living room Loser. Garcia coming out of the guitar break is divine. Not the actor.
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Comments

Dark Star
Jan. 2, 1970
Fillmore East (Late Show)

+1 re darkstar 67 comments. Dead on. Not much one needs to say, except of course I can't help myself. The first grab (usually Garcia) is Lesh coming at us hard with that dark chocolately Guildness. + This one, as noted, never gets complacent or self-satisfied or really even takes a breath! Some Art Ensemble of Chicago moments. Hoooofa. + Lesh sounding close to an electric bass guitar/stand up bass hybrid sound, which is sonic nirvana. + Gets Krautrock at times. This is basically 5 or 6 Dark Stars in one.
Uncle John's Band
March 19, 1977
Winterland Arena

Really nice Uncle John's Band. Best for me is still exactly 2 months later, but this is a smooooth one. Godchaux = big reason.
Dark Star
Jan. 25, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

Sparkling! And TC sounds he's playing synthesizer at times. This version very much has its own sound. And it's killer.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Nov. 9, 1973
Winterland Arena

Cruncho Marx! Weir's transition is particularly fierce. He Gibsons the shit out of it. By the heat of the kick-out, Garcia's spitting fire & Kreutzmann's hugging the ride bell. Beautiful.
Estimated Prophet
Jan. 10, 1978
Shrine Auditorium

Bright & snappy out of the gate. Lesh slurs that bassline during the verses to rich effect. Garcia attacks the outro! And Godchaux pushes matter pretty hard as well.
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