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

Candyman
May 28, 1977
Hartford Civic Center

Thanks for the tip! A perfect song done perfectly. Candyman (although I don't think they played it that much at the time) sort of embodies the earthy-floating-in-space vibe I love about May 77. And Garcia's break is full-throttle breaking the bottle on the hull of the Pegasus!
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Dec. 28, 1970
Legion Stadium

Great opening! The rest of it is just as audacious and attacking. Garcia's breaks sound like someone sky high on how volatile and room-filling he sounds. + Then a nice, languid transition where Weir serenades with peals of liquid guitar. Semi-hollow, obviously. + A perfect chugging back-end. Has it all!
Brown Eyed Women
Oct. 23, 1971
Easttown Theatre

Very sweet, pure, openhearted version of a favorite Garcia-Hunter Joint. Pure storytelling.
Not Fade Away
March 24, 1971
Winterland Arena

Step a distance from this - receive it in the abstract - and you realize how radical even this old-time R&R song was and is; Lesh is transmitting from another planet. FRESH.
Feel Like A Stranger
May 1, 1981
Hampton Coliseum

This show was a bit before my time, attendance-wise, but I saw some cool Hampton shows. And this tape tends to support the notion that there was some mojo in that building. I always thought it sounded good and was laid out in a nice away (from a fan's perspective anyway). Certainly, the GD brought some of their top-shelf merchandise there in the 80s.
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