headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3673


Submissions

4
Ship of Fools
Oct. 18, 1978
Winterland Arena

An especially sharp and spirited specimen - expressive vocals, the rhythm section is precise, and Garcia's guitar break is masterful. A still life.
6
Tennessee Jed
Oct. 1, 1977
Paramount Theatre

Energetic, serene AND Garcia's break is pure ragtime gold. In a good TJ, the guitar is a character. Here: a little insolent. Quality.
2
The Wheel
June 28, 1976
Auditorium Theatre

That spacious, unadorned June 1976 sound is so perfect for The Wheel. This one's dynamic and delivered with feeling. Cool show.
2
Cumberland Blues
March 20, 1971
University of Iowa

Oh man: LISTEN! Vocals are mixed a bit high, but this Cumberland has all the important "little" details. Notes the quotes. B'AM!!!!
1
Tennessee Jed
July 12, 1976
Orpheum Theater

1976: Your standard issue tipsy, warm-hearted TJ of the period. The guitar break is more conversation than guitar solo. Standard but special.
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Comments

Estimated Prophet
Oct. 11, 1977
Lloyd Noble Center - University of Oklahoma

Garcia makes himself right at home during the coda - great, squooshy guitar playing. Altogether, a sweet version of Estimated.
The Other One
Feb. 11, 1969
Fillmore East

This one has everything a heavy, mindfuck early '69 Other One should have, but air-sealed into a tidy 6 minutes. Garcia and Lesh are both on absolute fire. A go-to.
Playin' In The Band
June 22, 1976
Tower Theatre

The two drummers steer this vista cruiser - Kreutzmann keeps the pulse and Hart mostly adds texture and color. When it works, it works really . . . er, good. I've really grown to appreciate '76 Playin's - they absolutely have their own game. By the mid-point, they're well into the bizarro &, of course, making it smoke.
Tennessee Jed
April 7, 1972
Wembley Empire Pool

Like everything else from 4/7 and 4/8 - dead perfect and enthralling. Garcia's break is cracked - just cuckoo.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
April 30, 1977
The Palladium

Typical silky smooth Spring 77 version. And by typical, I mean righteous. Not sure why they felt the need to segue into Good Lovin' - really ever. I actually really enjoy Garcia's break in Scarlet - his approach at this time was really unique - like he's just reading the defense, taking what they give him. No other guitarist has really ever sounded like this. And the Fire is a luxury liner.
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