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

Eyes Of The World
Sept. 3, 1977
Raceway Park

Generally, I have mixed feelings about this show, but not about this Eyes - one of the very best post-'74 versions in circulation. Smooth, jazzbo, and Garcia is just flying. Love it! For the record - I think '77 is a great GD year. I can't listen to much of anything from '91. I was there - it was some tough sledding. Diminished Garcia, inaudible Lesh, effects-laden Weir, and two old sneakers in a dryer.
Viola Lee Blues
May 19, 1966
Avalon Ballroom

Just about letter perfect.
Bird Song
April 21, 1971
Rhode Island Auditorium

Starting with Lesh's milk chocolatey bass, this early Bird Song is almost like listening to someone stir a hot cup of Ovaltine. Beautiful, spare, patient dynamics. The space of the smaller chamber-like group makes this one so intimate and velvety. A simple, direct stunner.
The Wheel
May 19, 1977
Fox Theatre

This was the first Wheel I ever heard that had those windshield wiper drums and the clean, spacey dynamic I've come to associate with 1976-77 Wheels. It's a favorite from a favorite show. Pretty much everything played in this show is full featured and glorious. And yeah, the Wolf is a great guitar, but I sorta prefer the Travis Beans, especially with this kind of guitar armature. Sacrilege? Perhaps, but that's where I am on this important issue.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
June 16, 1974
Iowa State Fairgrounds

Drove home from work last night w/this on and I didn't need headlights. Garcia is working out something powerful and dark and the entire group responds accordingly. Ferocious and unique China>Rider.
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