headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3673


Submissions

13
Bird Song
Feb. 21, 1971
Capitol Theater

An intimate very early Bird Song - Quartet-styled, which serves this song really well. Also: you can hear the thinking, especially between guitars.
3
Tennessee Jed
July 21, 1972
Paramount Northwest Theater

Ho-Hum: Another outstanding 1972 TJ. This gem from the sorta overlooked summer tour. Garcia aces the break, natch. Band - unconscious. Whew! at end.
6
Candyman
June 21, 1976
Tower Theater

From Garcia's cheeky intro on, this graceful cabochon throws a faint, warm light. 1976 elegance w/a sick, raw spider web guitar break.
2
Wharf Rat
March 21, 1985
Hampton Coliseum

First show - I didn't know this gem very well & after this criss-crossy version, I was hooked. Dark & murky.
3
Loser
July 21, 1972
Paramount Northwest Theater

Download Series - An intimate, casual living room Loser. Garcia coming out of the guitar break is divine. Not the actor.
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Comments

Candyman
June 11, 1976
Boston Music Hall

In a moving '76 way, this is basically perfect - complete band sympathy. Grace, dynamics. And Garcia sings over the bed beautifully. This version floats in '76 jello mold. And Garcia's insane Atlantis break with Hart's beautiful, choppy ride compliment is nearly too much. It just levitates. All of it. That they brought this transport as regularly as they did is incredible. Yet, I wouldn't call this Candyman ordinary or regular at all. It's a stand-out.
The Other One
Jan. 2, 1970
Fillmore East (Late Show)

For a quick second I thought Weir was Robert Fripp. Garcia is in prime late 69/70 form but Fendery. This is such a comfortable, light-on-its-feet version it goes down like a [fill in yr favorite, warm pillowy confection] in a [a cylindrical object or embankment of some kind]. Such a smooth, telepathic landing after getting pretty far out.
Dark Star
Jan. 17, 1969
Civic Auditorium

A full-bodied confident Garcia plays with a bunch of mini-themes in the first half. Then mood turns quite serious @ 7:00. Really sweet staircase guitar dialogue ensues with Garcia finally hitting a steady, insistent arpeggiation against Weir's comps. Two guitar players who listen. The whole group, really. Guitar rock.
Bertha
April 26, 1972
Jahrhunderthalle

Love love love this version. Everyone's got a tiger in his tank, but Kreutzmann really leads the pack here. Those quick fills. Ace.
Viola Lee Blues
April 6, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

Crazy, explosive stuff. I don't how much more intensely a rock band can play - and yet it is so smooth. At about 9:26, Garcia and Lesh play chicken. High speed chicken. Then everything goes fucking haywire, like Vietnam haywire. And then you're at your front door. I had a lovely evening!
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