headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3673


Submissions

3
Sugaree
June 4, 1976
Paramount Theatre

Another example of how Sugaree thrived in 6/76: Garcia's sweet, mellow, bubbly silver thread guitar and group dynamics both jaunty & subtle. Primo.
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.
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Comments

St. Stephen
Dec. 29, 1968
Gulfstream Park Race Track

Crystalline and regal - 68 was the most baroque year and it always suited this song perfectly. Not better than the following year, but more than holds its own - it's a beautiful, polished little package of dizzying entertainment. Starting to realize enormous power. Don't look: some ball swinging here.
Dark Star
Feb. 14, 1970
Fillmore East

The night before is so etched in my brain I sometimes overlook this. Which is crazy! In any other sane time, this one would have a city block named after it. This Dark Star gives you everything. Why shop anywhere else? Well, lots of reasons. No disrespect.
Playin' In The Band
July 16, 1976
Orpheum Theatre

I will say it again: top shelf. 1976 Playins' are some of the spaciest, most diamond-eyed cruisers in the galaxy. Of course, Playin' > Stronger > Cosmic Charlie does tend to stack the deck a little bit. Not always fair.
Scarlet Begonias
Sept. 25, 1976
Capital Centre

For me, this one takes a little while to really come together - everyone - even though it's revved up from the start. The wide open improv jam is really subtle, dynamic, and what ultimately thrusts this version into the upper atmosphere. Some seriously telepathic work. In other words: a grower, this.
The Music Never Stopped
June 10, 1976
Boston Music Hall

Crackly, crunchy, and smooooove. Clean, tight Garcia simmers.
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