headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3668


Submissions

4
The Other One
Feb. 28, 1970
Family Dog at the Great Highway

Oversight Alert! Conversational then a violent row ensues. A total taste treat. 1970.
7
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
March 21, 1985
Hampton Coliseum

Voice shot, Garcia hums through his spidery 13 lb. guitar. With a lovely China Cat peak @4:30.
13
Tennessee Jed
March 19, 1977
Winterland Arena

(a) Garcia with aluminum pipe, (b) Purdie Shuffle '77 Pace, (c) Perfect Dynamic Control
7
Sugaree
Dec. 8, 1973
Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke U

As a queen sits down, knowing that a chair will be there,/ Or a general raises his hand and is given the field-glasses
3
Big River
Dec. 4, 1973
Cincinnati Gardens

Dictionary entry: 1973 Big River - effortless & downstream. Exhibit A.
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Comments

Comes A Time
May 4, 1977
The Palladium

A letter perfect ballet transition landing into the intro, followed by a dynamics-machine of a group. An emotive, deep version.
Playin' In The Band
May 4, 1977
The Palladium

The open spaces in this Playin' are nearly cinematic - peak period for the 2-drummer second coming; they set the table. Lesh repeats a melodic line and the whole thing pushes off from shore. This is a super-patient take that gets pretty far out there. A little like William Hurt in the isolation tank - primal, dark, disturbed sounds. What I love is how intimate it is - people completely opening up their minds and letting it all mingle. I can think of easier places to do it than The Palladium, but this be why the GD be unique.
Terrapin Station
May 4, 1977
The Palladium

Agree w/drumspace - this is a smokin' show that sits practically next door to the Chosen. This is a beautiful Terrapin - as smooth and pillowy as they come. Everyone did their homework on this one. Or ... road work. Probably better than 85+% Terrapins out there. I can think of a couple better, maybe, but that's about it. Weir guides the ship with his compressed, slice-n-dice guitar playing. Garcia slips on a turnaround then more than repays the indulgence with an insane guitar transition. Unique and crazy. PS: drums are perfeck. Full band massage.
Terrapin Station
May 4, 1977
The Palladium

Exactly.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Feb. 21, 1973
Assembly Hall, University Of Illinois

A little walking on a tightrope - the whole thing's a little wobbly at times, but not in a sloppy way - it's just the fragile dynamic they walk. Truly contemplative - and sometimes contemplation means hesitation. + Garcia stretches the Strat out into Other Instrument Territory. He can't help but take some ridiculous risks, but this is the essence of ambitious guitar playing. And Weir completely hammers the C>R transition, then moves over to block for the now elusive Garcia. Run to daylight, amigo. Run to daylight. [I have something in my eye!] + Spoiler alert: he does.
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