headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3673


Submissions

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.
12
Sugaree
June 18, 1976
Capitol Theatre

As much as I love May 77 Sugarees, Spring 76 is where it's at for me. Subtlety, separation, and Garcia's whispery, silver-dipped guitar breaks.
6
Candyman
April 19, 1978
Veterans Memorial Auditorium

1978: Prime weather for Candyman. This performance, like many from then, highlights the bleak world of the narrator. Garcia's break: spidery.
4
Tennessee Jed
Oct. 29, 1971
Allen Theatre

Bubbly, bratty storyboard version. Character & twang for miles. I'd pay to see this band. Two for a tenner? Four please.
9
Terrapin Station
April 27, 1977
Capitol Theatre

This is a very sweet Terrapin. Everyone's fired up to play it. All you need to do is watch the vid to see the pure joy this brings Garcia. Memorable.
show more submissions

Comments

Dark Star
Feb. 22, 1969
Dream Bowl

Transitive diamonds of . . . nightfall. Still a monumental version of Dark Star. I re-visit this one often. Likee now!
Playin' In The Band
Aug. 20, 1972
San Jose Civic Auditorium

Maybe it's the mix, but this Playin' has very much its own drowsy, dreamy constitution. This is fab for Garcia/Lesh fanatics. Not only b/c they're plenty audible, but they're in toddlin' form. Top sleeve stuff.
Brown Eyed Women
May 21, 1977
Lakeland Civic Center

Not a thing to complain about here. Smooth, dynamic, and confident. When the group gets quiet, you know they're completely in charge. Well, I do anyway.
Brown Eyed Women
Feb. 3, 1978
Dane County Coliseum

grendel - you might be right re: Cornell vs. other shows from that time. I only mention Cornell in particular b/c it's taking such a beating here. I just don't really understand the Cornell backlash; it's an amazing show (and I think the Scarlet is fantastic, even if it slightly pales in comparison w/possibly the best Fire ever). I first heard it in the mid-'80s and it was not, that I was aware, a "famous" show, but it stood out for me immediately. I soon realized that Spring 77 just had the goods. I still think Cornell is a jewel in the crown, but I think 5/19/77 is just as much a gem. And 5/17. And 2/26. And ...
Brown Eyed Women
Feb. 3, 1978
Dane County Coliseum

Killer, but better than Cornell? Not to these ears. A really good version, but the backlash bias against Cornell is puzzling to me. The Cornell version of this baby sounds tighter, smoother, and more dynamically interesting to me than this iteration. Not just Cornell, most Spring 77 versions. Here, the drums are already getting a bit flubby (a major difference for me between '76-early '77 and later is the increasing lack of nuance and swing in the drums). Garcia's guitar break in Cornell is lighter, more fluid, and has a beautiful elasticity missing here, although this break has more of a peak. And Godchaux on electric piano in this song just doesn't make it for me.
show more comments
headyversion loves the dead but is in no way affiliated with The Grateful Dead or affiliated enterprises. find out more >:) >:)