headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3568


Submissions

4
Tennessee Jed
Nov. 23, 1973
County Coliseum

If possible, a very contemplative TJ. Everyone's in apex '73 form, esp. Godchaux who's mixed fairly high to good effect.
2
St. Stephen
Nov. 5, 1970
Capitol Theater

Of the heavenly 1970 Capitol Theater St. Stephens. Just a beautiful union between audience and group. Killer Stephen! CRUNCH!
4
Here Comes Sunshine
Sept. 26, 1973
War Memorial

Show opener - the perseverence is what really sells me on this one. A struggle, but a worthy one b/c the spoils are lush. Sneaky great.
9
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
May 18, 1972
Kongressaal, Deutsches Museum

Crazy overlooked: A noble, splendiferous C>R in full Europe 72-ness. Patient, exploratory, charming. Driving a distance? Pack this.
12
Bird Song
Feb. 21, 1971
Capitol Theater

An intimate very early Bird Song - Quartet-styled, which serves this song really well. Also: you can hear the thinking, especially between guitars.

Comments

Playin' In The Band
Sept. 24, 1972
Palace Theatre

Kruetzmann is all over the place, but never stops swinging. That's what makes these '72 Playins so bubbly and alive. Ace stuff.
Sugaree
May 26, 1977
Baltimore Civic Center

Sometimes I think May '77 Sugarees are a little over-praised (I prefer June '76), but this one is just a lovely slice of perfection (like so much of this show). And then I remember: May '77 is home of some of the very best versions of the songs they played on that tour. That only makes 87% sense to me.
The Music Never Stopped
May 26, 1977
Baltimore Civic Center

Holy shit! This is a colossus. Perfect and nuanced and ace dynamics. Smoooch!
The Other One
April 21, 1969
The Ark

It's difficult for me to understand how this iteration doesn't have a boatload of votes. It's transcendent.
Playin' In The Band
May 19, 1977
Fox Theatre

I can hear thought bubbles galore with this one. A favorite in a favorite show. The amazing dynamic shading from May 1977 perfectly applied. No one overplays or gets sloppy - just inspired improvisation of the highest order.