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

Mason's Children
Jan. 3, 1970
Fillmore East

Very charming version. The playing is so crispy and sprightly - loads of charisma! Love the snappy snare fills (Kreutzmann, I believe) and the circusy organ.
Wharf Rat
April 5, 1971
Manhattan Center

Kreutzmann's snare sets everything else up. At its inception, this song was so fully realized and Lesh's bass line is so deliriously cool and underhanded - just amazing. Clean and clear Spring 71 Wharf Rat - although Garcia barely gets out "motherfucker" (something like "munnerfuggr") - maybe he was coy. Maybe he was Coy Bacon. Either way, all is forgiven just a few seconds into the floating bridge. They made every Wharf Rat count in '71. Hey - it was new! They were excited!
Me and My Uncle
March 18, 1971
Fox Theatre

A prototype. The guitars steer everything, but Weir's vocal is inspired, too. A perfect little gem.
High Time
May 18, 1977
Fox Theatre

Hmmmm .... May 1977. Fox Theatre. High Time. That's a version of the stars-aligning narrative. Oh yeah: Betty Board, Charlie Miller. I've always been fond of this show and this set list. The empathy of the band makes this special. Along with the warm, heartfelt signing. And the weaving guitars. I think I previously let this one slip from my gaze - no longer. It's a classic High Time, which, in my mind, is one of the great Garcia-Hunter creations. Not something you hear everyday - of May, 1977. Treasure it. Bask in it. Float along with it. Quite lovely.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
March 14, 1981
Hartford Civic Center

Funny darkstar67. Truthfully, I take in a lot of my GD working out/running. When I listened to the '72 Cat last night, I was drinking a beer.