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

Dark Star
April 27, 1969
Labor Temple

Great revisit - hallucinogenic from the start/falls immediately into a downey soft groove and gently (but firmly) pushes outward.
Scarlet Begonias
June 9, 1976
Boston Music Hall

Full mastery right here. How do you handle dynamics in a complex, up-tempo song? Listen & learn. Garcia with the spirited vocals (at least when the words come to mind). In the coda, he forgets nothing. Crackin'.
Samson and Delilah
Oct. 9, 1976
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Stadium

I, for many a moon, believed that the best of this song was from May 1977. Now, given Garcia’s silky smooth clean runs and the precision of the group overall, I must reconsider. Pretty fucking perfect.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
March 24, 1973
The Spectrum

Chill verging on bravado. Kreutzmann's transition into the second verse is the stuff of legend. Swingin' legend. Such a beautiful, dynamic rendition of a fave (around these parts).
Scarlet Begonias
July 19, 1974
Selland Arena

This Scarlet jumps out of its skin from the very beginning. Lesh's playing is just out of this world - all over the place but totally coherent and coordinating. Cruising into the 4 minute mark, it's a sweet, smooth, tight-as-a-drum Scarlet with plenty of mustard. Then Garcia takes over like even he doesn't often do. Top sleeve material you got here. And a gorgeous Dave's 17.
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