headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3568


Submissions

6
Loser
Feb. 19, 1971
Capitol Theater

A delicate, tight, searching super early version of a staple. Kruetzmann plays it light and springy and that 1971 Lesh caramel bass guitar!
3
Tennessee Jed
June 11, 1976
Boston Music Hall

If you know this smooth customer of a show, you know how drynamic [yes, I typed that] and user friendly this TJ is. An always welcome visitor.
2
Sugaree
June 26, 1976
Auditorium Theatre

Few things better than a June '76 Sugaree. Garcia with the first Travis Bean just sketches with the lightest, barest of precious metal filaments.
3
Tennessee Jed
July 22, 1972
Paramount Northwest Theatre

Summer '72 Jed: Sweet dynamics & precision engineering. Weir & Kreutzmann stir it up during Garcia's guitar break.
1
Cumberland Blues
Dec. 13, 1969
Swing Auditorium

A cozy little delight - hand percussion, contemplation, great stereo drums, and some rip roaring riffage. Comes in under the radar, but worth a visit.
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Comments

Brown Eyed Women
May 8, 1977
Barton Hall - Cornell University

Just went back to listen to 11/4/77. A fabulous BEW, but it doesn't touch this one. The band is smoother here - 11/4 is comparatively pokey. And Garcia's solo on 5/8/1977 is funny, exciting, and scorching. Really one of a kind.
The Other One
March 28, 1972
Academy of Music

Re-visit: Peak form. This song morphed as the group morphed. Such a good reflection, this song.
Jack A Roe
May 18, 1977
Fox Theatre

Top level Weir. I've always dug this arrangement. It so well reflects how smooth and lithe the group had become. This version, like so many from this time, is a joy.
Estimated Prophet
July 8, 1978
Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Not sure how I avoided/missed this lovely specimen. Weir just caresses the lyrics. I don't think this is better than May 77, which (although shorter) is the peak for me. Garcia's outros just plain sound like what being high is like. Warps in stable space. That said, this great version goes about the sublime in a very different way. Definitely more aggressive - which is cool, but not so cool for the drum duo. Hart just doesn't understand the 1. Even the chill parts are barely restrained. Creates a unique dynamic.
Playin' In The Band
April 15, 1978
William and Mary College Hall

A stately check-in. Just killer stuff all the way through. A sprightly part of a nutrient-rich breakfast.
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