headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3668


Submissions

1
Cumberland Blues
Dec. 13, 1969
Swing Auditorium

A cozy little delight - hand percussion, contemplation, great stereo drums, and some rip roaring riffage. Comes in under the radar, but worth a visit.
12
Sugaree
June 18, 1976
Capitol Theatre

As much as I love May 77 Sugarees, Spring 76 is where it's at for me. Subtlety, separation, and Garcia's whispery, silver-dipped guitar breaks.
6
Candyman
April 19, 1978
Veterans Memorial Auditorium

1978: Prime weather for Candyman. This performance, like many from then, highlights the bleak world of the narrator. Garcia's break: spidery.
4
Tennessee Jed
Oct. 29, 1971
Allen Theatre

Bubbly, bratty storyboard version. Character & twang for miles. I'd pay to see this band. Two for a tenner? Four please.
9
Terrapin Station
April 27, 1977
Capitol Theatre

This is a very sweet Terrapin. Everyone's fired up to play it. All you need to do is watch the vid to see the pure joy this brings Garcia. Memorable.
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Comments

Tennessee Jed
Sept. 9, 1972
Hollywood Palladium

Right you are, DS67. I know this one - a little surprised I didn't vote for it earlier. I'm always a fan of Garcia starting the guitar break on the low E or A string - so much character (it's like a mini-narrative in the middle of the song). This one is relaxed and slurry; there's almost a bit of '76 going on in his playing. Best of both worlds?
Candyman
Nov. 2, 1977
Field House - Seneca College

A lovely C-Man, although I'm not sure I agree that Garcia's guitar break is superior to 5/28 (or 6/7 for that matter).
Dancin' in the Streets
June 11, 1976
Boston Music Hall

An invigorating constitutional. At @ 4:30, Garcia's bubbly countenance takes over. The drums go Apocalypse Now & it just works.
Estimated Prophet
May 5, 1977
New Haven Coliseum

A sweet re-visit. One of those reminders of just how good Betty Cantor-Jackson was at her gig. Beautiful recording of Estimated beautifully played. I can't imagine what one would quibble with here. Sorry - I can't imagine with what one would quibble here. True, not as intense as later versions, but lovingly rendered. And Garcia's guitar coda was never more lush, expressive, and intense than May 1977. That's where this song distinguishes itself from later editions.
Mississippi Halfstep Uptown Toodeloo
May 7, 1977
Boston Garden

agreed jchiulli - this is pretty close to Half-Step perfection. This and May 4 leap to mind as peak performances.
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