headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3568


Submissions

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.
2
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.
8
Me and My Uncle
Nov. 17, 1971
Albuquerque Civic Auditorium

Two things: (1) the middle of a searing Other One > MAMU > Other One fest and (2) Garcia loses his mind (or mine) at the end of the solo.

Comments

St. Stephen
Nov. 2, 1977
Field House - Seneca College

One of the really sweet after-Mickey-rejoined St. Stephens. Garcia primary reason(s). Complete Mastery. They were still putting up some classics at this point. Nice harmonies, too! Very regal. As it probably should be. Doesn't get too much better than this. Escape velocity.
Estimated Prophet
Nov. 2, 1977
Field House - Seneca College

Hooooooofffff - what a reminder! Garcia goes "How about something[?]" in the count-in; you know yr in for Smoothy Smoothstein! But you get more. Energy, crispness, crispiness, having "I'm glad I stuck with the guitar" fun. + And the Garcia Masterclass throughout the coda. A Haunted House Estimated. Top Pants!
Terrapin Station
June 4, 1977
The Forum

How is this so far down the list? It's better than 90+% of the versions with more votes. Yr really going to vote one from 1994 over this? As Wittgenstein said, "No fucking way!"
The Music Never Stopped
June 9, 1977
Winterland Arena

Snap, crackle, and, finally, pop.
Mexicali Blues
March 5, 1972
Winterland Arena

Kreutzmann takes it to the house! Beautiful, storytelling drumming! Underrated version where everyone is in fine fettle.