headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3673


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.
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Comments

Eyes Of The World
Nov. 5, 1979
The Spectrum

Perfect ambiance - throughout much of this Eyes, it's almost like the group is barely playing. Not sure I can put this up in the '73/'74 stratosphere, but it brings a charm all its own. Almost not right to compare, but I just did it, so that's water under the bridge. Delicate, thoughtful, and patient. A reminder of a mysterious and underrated year in Dead lore. Very much worth the investment of time.
Mission in the Rain
June 18, 1976
Capitol Theatre

One listen of this should put to rest any question of which band - GD or JGB - handled this gem better. As good as some Garcia Band versions of this are (and some are truly wonderful), this demonstrates a level of artistry and give/take unimaginable elsewhere.
Candyman
July 18, 1976
Orpheum Theater

Not sure how anything from this show has slipped through the cracks. But yeah - a delicate, lush Candyman with beautiful Garcia handiwork. Nice choice!
Uncle John's Band
Dec. 19, 1969
Fillmore Auditorium

Sure, it's a little tentative early on, but such a beautiful entrance by Garcia and then when the sweet vocals come in, it's a really intimate version. So tentative becomes intimate. Then it works out for everyone. It's like the story of evolution, but less math.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Aug. 23, 1971
Auditorium Theatre

Quartet-styled. This one swings from Go. Lesh's bass is medicinal - can't make a bass guitar sound better than that. Just can't. And the playing is socks/underpants drawer. The crowd is semi-stunned @2:49 - delayed mania a second or two after the break. Like, OH FUCK. The transition surges with electricity - puts many better known transitions to shame, sort of. Kreutzmann is in high swang. 9.3 Best Reissue.
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