headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3673


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

Dark Star
Feb. 22, 1969
Dream Bowl

Transitive diamonds of . . . nightfall. Still a monumental version of Dark Star. I re-visit this one often. Likee now!
Playin' In The Band
Aug. 20, 1972
San Jose Civic Auditorium

Maybe it's the mix, but this Playin' has very much its own drowsy, dreamy constitution. This is fab for Garcia/Lesh fanatics. Not only b/c they're plenty audible, but they're in toddlin' form. Top sleeve stuff.
Brown Eyed Women
May 21, 1977
Lakeland Civic Center

Not a thing to complain about here. Smooth, dynamic, and confident. When the group gets quiet, you know they're completely in charge. Well, I do anyway.
Brown Eyed Women
Feb. 3, 1978
Dane County Coliseum

grendel - you might be right re: Cornell vs. other shows from that time. I only mention Cornell in particular b/c it's taking such a beating here. I just don't really understand the Cornell backlash; it's an amazing show (and I think the Scarlet is fantastic, even if it slightly pales in comparison w/possibly the best Fire ever). I first heard it in the mid-'80s and it was not, that I was aware, a "famous" show, but it stood out for me immediately. I soon realized that Spring 77 just had the goods. I still think Cornell is a jewel in the crown, but I think 5/19/77 is just as much a gem. And 5/17. And 2/26. And ...
Brown Eyed Women
Feb. 3, 1978
Dane County Coliseum

Killer, but better than Cornell? Not to these ears. A really good version, but the backlash bias against Cornell is puzzling to me. The Cornell version of this baby sounds tighter, smoother, and more dynamically interesting to me than this iteration. Not just Cornell, most Spring 77 versions. Here, the drums are already getting a bit flubby (a major difference for me between '76-early '77 and later is the increasing lack of nuance and swing in the drums). Garcia's guitar break in Cornell is lighter, more fluid, and has a beautiful elasticity missing here, although this break has more of a peak. And Godchaux on electric piano in this song just doesn't make it for me.
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