headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3673


Submissions

4
Ship of Fools
Oct. 18, 1978
Winterland Arena

An especially sharp and spirited specimen - expressive vocals, the rhythm section is precise, and Garcia's guitar break is masterful. A still life.
6
Tennessee Jed
Oct. 1, 1977
Paramount Theatre

Energetic, serene AND Garcia's break is pure ragtime gold. In a good TJ, the guitar is a character. Here: a little insolent. Quality.
2
The Wheel
June 28, 1976
Auditorium Theatre

That spacious, unadorned June 1976 sound is so perfect for The Wheel. This one's dynamic and delivered with feeling. Cool show.
2
Cumberland Blues
March 20, 1971
University of Iowa

Oh man: LISTEN! Vocals are mixed a bit high, but this Cumberland has all the important "little" details. Notes the quotes. B'AM!!!!
1
Tennessee Jed
July 12, 1976
Orpheum Theater

1976: Your standard issue tipsy, warm-hearted TJ of the period. The guitar break is more conversation than guitar solo. Standard but special.
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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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