headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3673


Submissions

2
Truckin'
Jan. 24, 1971
Seattle Center Arena

Easily overlooked show - the Truckin' opener is a giant tidal wave red carpet.
1
Not Fade Away
March 21, 1972
Academy of Music

Picture Perfeck Academy of Music NFA! Kreutzmann and Weir scoot this gem along.
3
The Other One
Dec. 12, 1970
Santa Rosa Fairgrounds

Adventure soundtrack - the group plays out a number of scenes. Garcia's the acrobatic narrator for the most part. Superb and interactive.
2
The Other One
Dec. 10, 1969
Thelma Theater

Big and round. Lesh is the wacked-out chauffeur. What a cool, bizarre run.
4
Big River
Nov. 20, 1973
Denver Coliseum

A strike-zone era Big River. Smooth & prickly.

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.