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
March 31, 1987
The Spectrum

Nice tip, DS67! Digging in - sounds zesty! Thanks for digging into some '87 gold. Odd, I don't think I was at this show -- but I might have been.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
May 8, 1977
Barton Hall - Cornell University

To me, this is still definitive. I like 78 S>Fs, but Garcia forgets the 4th verse too often for my taste. And I don't think the post-single drummer Dead was ever quite the machine they were in 5/77. On this version, Garcia, as singer, sounds almost overwhelmed by the power of the band around him. It's a thing of perfect beauty. And Weir's China>Rider lick in Fire is just too cheeky.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
May 5, 1977
New Haven Coliseum

Great energy. Listened to this one running yesterday and it definitely propelled me through the toughest parts like I was on a moving sidewalk. Garcia's vocal in Scarlet rivals 5/8 - he sounds like a man trying to keep a hat from blowing off. That's how cookin' the band is.
Estimated Prophet
May 5, 1977
New Haven Coliseum

I've always been a fan of this 2nd Set and the Estimated surely sets the tone nicely. Big, warm, murky estimated with that May '77 clarity and definition. One could up vote pretty much any Estimated from this time - and I just might.
Samson and Delilah
May 19, 1977
Fox Theatre

S&D is usually a song over which I don't ruminate, but this one is so strong. Clean lines, passionate playing. Great Set 2 opener.
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