headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3673


Submissions

2
Candyman
July 12, 1976
Orpheum Theater

Spare, almost vulnerable take on this classic. Godchaux brings the church and Garcia brings the stained glass. An American beauty.
5
Estimated Prophet
Jan. 30, 1978
Uptown Theater

You can hear the swagger in their mutterings before they play. And the performance bears that out. Sure, smooth, and effortless.
1
It Must Have Been The Roses
Aug. 4, 1974
Philadelphia Civic Center

Letter perfect - the Godchauxs take this to a loftier level. Beautiful dynamic push-and-pull by the whole group.
3
Tennessee Jed
May 25, 1972
Strand Lyceum

Planting the Flag of Civilization on this tight scorcher. New from factory - Inspector #9. Under penalty of law, this tag may not be YEAH GARCIA!
5
Candyman
Jan. 31, 1978
Uptown Theater

Dreamy, motionless rendition on a sea of individual human reactions [audience tape]. A wonderful time for this gem.
show more submissions

Comments

Wharf Rat
July 8, 1978
Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Garcia's entrance is the stuff of dreams. I've never been in love with this show (at least proportionately to its renown), but this take is niiiiiiiiiiice.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Oct. 30, 1972
Ford Auditorium

Hear it pulsate throughout the room. Thrilling audience tape and a super tight, muscular delivery system. By the mid-point of China Cat, a switch is tripped. First-rate Grateful Dead here. Warm and bountiful.
The Other One
Dec. 6, 1971
Felt Forum, Madison Square Garden

It just dawned on my that Garcia flirts with The Eleven for a little while near the beginning. Wicked!
Playin' In The Band
March 19, 1977
Winterland Arena

Initially nothing super special, but once the spaciness starts @ 2:45 things gradually get bewitching. At about 4:45, Garcia extracts a rich, warped, stew of a guitar sound that seals the hatch and dives. In a year with some really great Playins, this one has its own real-thing thing - and it's moving up my list pretty quickly. I don't actually keep a list.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Aug. 24, 1972
Berkeley Community Theatre

Swings super hard out of the gate and then cruises perfectly over the mountains - electric circuit controlling magnets. That's what this is all about. Classic show. Holy fuck! The peak of the transition levitates. What Godchaux is doing is avant garde. That of course leads to Garcia taking a Strat where it's never been before or since.
show more comments
headyversion loves the dead but is in no way affiliated with The Grateful Dead or affiliated enterprises. find out more >:) >:)