headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3673


Submissions

2
Candyman
July 12, 1976
Orpheum Theater

Spare, almost vulnerable take on this classic. Godchaux brings the church and Garcia brings the stained glass. An American beauty.
5
Estimated Prophet
Jan. 30, 1978
Uptown Theater

You can hear the swagger in their mutterings before they play. And the performance bears that out. Sure, smooth, and effortless.
1
It Must Have Been The Roses
Aug. 4, 1974
Philadelphia Civic Center

Letter perfect - the Godchauxs take this to a loftier level. Beautiful dynamic push-and-pull by the whole group.
3
Tennessee Jed
May 25, 1972
Strand Lyceum

Planting the Flag of Civilization on this tight scorcher. New from factory - Inspector #9. Under penalty of law, this tag may not be YEAH GARCIA!
5
Candyman
Jan. 31, 1978
Uptown Theater

Dreamy, motionless rendition on a sea of individual human reactions [audience tape]. A wonderful time for this gem.
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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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