headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

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.
show more submissions

Comments

Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
May 9, 1977
War Memorial

As much as I love '76 HSFs, this one has all that mojo plus the band at max May '77 capacity. Just about perfect. And that it opened the show . . . wow, how do you follow a show stopper? Never start with a show stopper, Hank!
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Sept. 6, 1980
State Fairgrounds

1980 is where Garcia stops playing guitar solos in China Cat - he delivers a song within a song by some character speaking through his guitar. It takes China>Rider in this spidery, driving vibe that works like a fucking charm - the early 80s batch = quality.
Scarlet Begonias
July 29, 1974
Capitol Center

Sounds like a band very chuffed about the direction they're going with this new material. Sharp, fast, and coiled - ready to attack. Garcia and Godchaux duel during the extended break and both of them are in peak form. Nothing not to like.
Truckin'
April 26, 1983
The Spectrum

I love the attack of this version. My college roommate Wags was at this show. Wags is a big guy and he said when Lesh dropped the big bass bomb, he (Wags) actually fell backwards, likely along with everyone else on the floor. But it isn't just Lesh, everyone shovels coal into the furnace on this one.
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
April 26, 1983
The Spectrum

The first Help-Slip-Franklins I ever heard (in my college dorm room) and its still one of my favorites. The whole band is full-tilt and Garcia dances on a razor's edge. And Slipknot! is where I (newbie that I was) went, "Oh. I didn't know they had that move. Wow." Smokin' 2nd set overall.
show more comments
headyversion loves the dead but is in no way affiliated with The Grateful Dead or affiliated enterprises. find out more >:) >:)