headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

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Submissions

2
Bertha
March 14, 1971
Camp Randall Field House

At :30 Pig switches from tambourine to organ and we're off! These early '71 performances showcase Kreutzmann reveling in sweet space. Driving.
6
Loser
Feb. 19, 1971
Capitol Theater

A delicate, tight, searching super early version of a staple. Kruetzmann plays it light and springy and that 1971 Lesh caramel bass guitar!
3
Tennessee Jed
June 11, 1976
Boston Music Hall

If you know this smooth customer of a show, you know how drynamic [yes, I typed that] and user friendly this TJ is. An always welcome visitor.
2
Sugaree
June 26, 1976
Auditorium Theatre

Few things better than a June '76 Sugaree. Garcia with the first Travis Bean just sketches with the lightest, barest of precious metal filaments.
3
Tennessee Jed
July 22, 1972
Paramount Northwest Theatre

Summer '72 Jed: Sweet dynamics & precision engineering. Weir & Kreutzmann stir it up during Garcia's guitar break.
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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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