headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3668


Submissions

10
Jack Straw
June 10, 1973
RFK Stadium

Relaxed and joyous space-age electric guitar semi-ballad.
9
Bertha
Feb. 21, 1971
Capitol Theater

Warp speed, precise, slightly unhinged, and driving into the greenish-blue evening.
1
Jack Straw
Oct. 30, 1971
Taft Auditorium

Godchaux leads a version that seethes with the excitement of a new song.
3
Brown Eyed Women
May 20, 1973
U.C.

A giggly, slangy Garcia masterpiece (in sweet show sauce). Goes down EZ.
8
Mexicali Blues
Feb. 28, 1973
Salt Palace

So good you can practically see the border town.
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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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