headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3673


Submissions

8
Mexicali Blues
March 24, 1973
The Spectrum

'73 Mexicali? Smokesville, USA.
11
Loser
March 24, 1973
The Spectrum

Heavens! It took a Dave's Picks to get this on the board! Soft, seductive, dark, and pretty much perfectly realized. Guitar break: shit yeah.
3
Estimated Prophet
Dec. 29, 1977
Winterland Arena

Bold, sharp, confident version with plenty of 1977 squoosh. This version has that great '77 restraint with Garcia speaking in MuTron tongues.
6
Brown Eyed Women
Oct. 29, 1973
Kiel Auditorium

Attention. To. Detail. - ESP Weir. Not the world's greatest recording, but the band is bubbly & effortless.
3
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
July 31, 1971
Yale Bowl, Yale University

Listened to this on a big PA outside over the summer and it's so alive, athletic, and filled with beautiful instrumental cross-talk. Improv!

Comments

Stella Blue
July 18, 1976
Orpheum Theater

So precise and confident, it's almost like a show tune. Can't deliver the package any better than this. Garcia takes smart liberties vocally, so there's a looseness and genuine sentiment behind his voice. Articulation. + That's before Garcia takes a lullaby stroll of a guitar break. And silverfoil clean aluminum guitar-in-the-shower step out as the coda/jam begins. + As everyone here indicates, they stick the landing.
The Wheel
July 18, 1976
Orpheum Theater

Gets off to an uncertain start, but gradually kicks into several other gears. Some parts are as sublime as this song gets. And yeah: Garcia's slide is a thing. Wow.
Playin' In The Band
Sept. 21, 1972
The Spectrum

Fall 72 Playins are such finely tuned machines. Haven't met one I don't dig. Like many from this period, this one could match anything at the Bonneville Salt Flats. + Garcia and Godchaux at times seem to be going mano y mano even though the group is cooking. Garcia has at least three out-of-body experiences. + Coming in at < 17 minutes = no dead wood.
Brown Eyed Women
April 14, 1972
Tivolis Koncertsal

Cruise control. In the best way. I don't know how 4+ minutes can deliver so much sunshine. Stay tuned for my white paper on this number.
They Love Each Other
March 24, 1973
The Spectrum

A silky, smooth . . . machine. There, I said it! Dave says, "Nothing says 1973 more than this." Cheers! Crispy, springy ball o' twine.