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.

Comments

Playin' In The Band
March 24, 1973
The Spectrum

This jazzbo planet keeps hopping along at a brisk pace - even getting spacey doesn't phase this mighty turquoise giant!
Sugaree
Aug. 15, 1971
Berkeley Community Theater

Almost triumphant version of this great song. At this point, they were so lean, you can hear every single breath in the music. So could they. And you can hear them reveling in the space, the open space. Gold standard stuff.
Mister Charlie
Aug. 15, 1971
Berkeley Community Theater

This has some thick lacquer! The band is hittin' it large and delivering some mighty swagger. Garcia on the Les Paul is as British hard rock as he gets - and yet always sounds only like Garcia. Lesh's bass is at its 1971 creamiest. Pigpen is definitely loose, but he channels it beautifully.
Ramble On Rose
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

Lesh carries the baton in the march intro, Weir provides some bratty comments in the right speaker, and the march moves into that transitional neighborhood just blocks from the financial district. Garcia brings a little ragtime and some muscular swagger into the scene.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Nov. 20, 1973
Denver Coliseum

A sweet swinging version - from the start Godchaux is all over it and throughout he imbues with just enough gospel and mind games that this version can't help but blossom and keep blossoming. Bass is exquisite at times, too.