headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3668


Submissions

2
Bertha
March 14, 1971
Camp Randall Field House

At :30 Pig switches from tambourine to organ and we're off! These early '71 performances showcase Kreutzmann reveling in sweet space. Driving.
6
Loser
Feb. 19, 1971
Capitol Theater

A delicate, tight, searching super early version of a staple. Kruetzmann plays it light and springy and that 1971 Lesh caramel bass guitar!
3
Tennessee Jed
June 11, 1976
Boston Music Hall

If you know this smooth customer of a show, you know how drynamic [yes, I typed that] and user friendly this TJ is. An always welcome visitor.
2
Sugaree
June 26, 1976
Auditorium Theatre

Few things better than a June '76 Sugaree. Garcia with the first Travis Bean just sketches with the lightest, barest of precious metal filaments.
3
Tennessee Jed
July 22, 1972
Paramount Northwest Theatre

Summer '72 Jed: Sweet dynamics & precision engineering. Weir & Kreutzmann stir it up during Garcia's guitar break.
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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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