headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

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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

Me and My Uncle
April 7, 1972
Wembley Empire Pool

They're in such peachy form here - psyched beyond belief for an honest-to-goodness European tour and playing out of their fucking minds. Love this show b/c of how excited and authoritative they are.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Dec. 9, 1981
Activity Center - University of Colorado

Jeez Louise! This Formula One C>R is unstoppable! Reminds me that I really dig 1981 versions of this tandem - most of them come with serious exuberance and vim, but this one has just a wee bit more. And Garcia just tears in during the transition - bending notes, trilling, and flying through scales like a man possessed. Not sure what Weir's doing in Rider, but it works; obviously he's having fun.
Sugaree
May 9, 1979
Broome County Arena

May not be the cream of the crop, but this one combines super great energy with a loping, smooth chill mood. Much of the former thanks to the boisterous audience tapes in circulation. The latter: one can only guess. What makes the instant version special is the collaboration between group/audience - drives this one to some really clear open spaces. Garcia, by the way, is quite buoyant and melodic. The GD is ON from this welcoming epic opener through the entire show - cool ass show. One of my faves from '79.
Terrapin Station
May 17, 1977
Memorial Coliseum

This Terrapin has everything you'd possibly want from a Terrapin - it does every little thing exceedingly well. Brash, confident, smooth. Great lift. Tough for me to decide between this one, 5/19, and 5/26. And maybe a couple of others, but I have referred - in mixed company, no less - to this one as the creme de la creme de la tutti capo creme. If it isn't, it certainly shares the crown. Gorgeous.
Jack Straw
Jan. 11, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

One of my favorite songs. I don't see how this one is (by far) the top Jack Straw. It's fine, but the drums are clunky (two old sneakers in a dryer), the vocals are so-so, and the aggression doesn't really work for this song - or at least it doesn't sound earned. I appreciate Garcia's energy, but this is one of those situations where the fanning just bulldozes everything (and doesn't really add much). Compare this to the Spring 1977 versions and it's two completely different bands. Some early 80s versions are more interesting than this one, too.
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