headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3673


Submissions

4
Ship of Fools
Oct. 18, 1978
Winterland Arena

An especially sharp and spirited specimen - expressive vocals, the rhythm section is precise, and Garcia's guitar break is masterful. A still life.
6
Tennessee Jed
Oct. 1, 1977
Paramount Theatre

Energetic, serene AND Garcia's break is pure ragtime gold. In a good TJ, the guitar is a character. Here: a little insolent. Quality.
2
The Wheel
June 28, 1976
Auditorium Theatre

That spacious, unadorned June 1976 sound is so perfect for The Wheel. This one's dynamic and delivered with feeling. Cool show.
2
Cumberland Blues
March 20, 1971
University of Iowa

Oh man: LISTEN! Vocals are mixed a bit high, but this Cumberland has all the important "little" details. Notes the quotes. B'AM!!!!
1
Tennessee Jed
July 12, 1976
Orpheum Theater

1976: Your standard issue tipsy, warm-hearted TJ of the period. The guitar break is more conversation than guitar solo. Standard but special.
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Comments

The Other One
Aug. 2, 1969
Family Dog at the Great Highway

What did the good people of the Family Dog do to wreak such an outpouring of fury? Ferocious from all sides. Through the byzantine curves, Garcia maintains his perch high above the cloud cover.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Oct. 19, 1972
Fox Theatre

Deliberate but swinging. Fall 72 for C>R is a peak - super patient as if they're savoring playing it. Godchaux and Lesh team up perfectly. And the dynamics ebb & flow organically. A very under-appreciated version. More people need to hear this one. It's superb.
Caution
Aug. 23, 1968
Shrine Auditorium

Heavy shit. Pigpen’s underrated organ playing is a big part of the mammoth force of this song. Searing psychedelic express train of overlapping explosive gestures & two-ton riffage.
Wharf Rat
Oct. 10, 1976
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

Effortless, detailed, long transition from Dancin' sets this up, but this is a GD and this a Wharf Rat that occurs when they release the Spirit of . . . (it's 1:27 am and I just got back into town from the Holidays). K-Wality stuff!
Dancin' in the Streets
Oct. 10, 1976
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

Sharp & action-packed! It's hard to imagine this taking place in a huge concrete multi-sport stadium, but here it is. Such precision and intimacy between players. Paired up with The Who (maybe the greatest of all time - well, it's close), no less. Then Garcia takes it all somewhere else altogether with some clean aluminum goodness.
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