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.

Comments

Tennessee Jed
Oct. 24, 1971
Easttown Theatre

Snaps like a Twix! Much like one of my favorites 10/26/71, this Jed pulsates, squirms, and whirls like a dervish. Super enthusiasm for a hot new song. Garcia's Strat is particularly strident and bratty. And high speed!
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
Oct. 9, 1976
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Stadium

Confident, brash, authoritative. A classic version (with a killer S&D tucked inside as a special treat). Great show.
Tennessee Jed
Aug. 2, 1976
Colt Park

I actually like the plodding '76 TJs. Moreover, I love that Garcia's guitar breaks often sound like the town drunk careening down Main Street. This one has some real life, too, b/c the crowd is waaaay into it. Love that.
Jack Straw
May 21, 1977
Lakeland Civic Center

How did I just start focusing on this one? Perfectly paced, clean as a fucking bean, spacey, Garcia-crazy - it's all in place. Everyone lends just the right touch.
Estimated Prophet
May 21, 1977
Lakeland Civic Center

Restaurant Quality. One of the ultimate Estimateds in my mind - perfect representation of this song (should probably be the version on Terrapin), but way more than that. Right up there w/5/19 for me. Pick 'em. Both Garcia-led codas are exemplars in my world.