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

Jack Straw
June 23, 1974
Jai-Alai Fronton

Restraint carries the day. Everyone plays slightly behind the beat, but it never drags. In fact, it pulsates. A lovely, skittering version. And, fuck, it was performed at a Jai-Alai Fronton! That's just bizarro. This one should probably be better known.
The Other One
Oct. 19, 1971
Northrop Auditorium, U. of Minn.

This, to me, is the first moment one realizes that Godchaux's bringing Blue Note onto the stage. Forever changing everything.
Eyes Of The World
Dec. 31, 1976
Cow Palace

Full-throated! Lesh gets things off to an inviting start and the rest of the track does not disappoint. The transition to Wharf Rat is beautiful and Who-like.
New Potato Caboose
Oct. 12, 1968
Avalon Ballroom

This show is almost like a Best Of. Every song here is in ace form. Thus, the New Potato Caboose is a fierce calliope, out-of-control.
New Potato Caboose
Feb. 14, 1968
Carousel Ballroom

This may be my favorite take. The group handles the complex and dynamic elements like graceful sleepwalkers. I, too, arrived relatively late to the bosom of this amazing piece of psychedelia. This version gets absolute complete commitment from everyone - even Pig at his most melodic and spaced. I'm not sure there are any bad New Potato Cabooses, but this one is at the top of the mountain. My various breads and various butters.