headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

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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.
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Comments

Me and My Uncle
April 7, 1972
Wembley Empire Pool

They're in such peachy form here - psyched beyond belief for an honest-to-goodness European tour and playing out of their fucking minds. Love this show b/c of how excited and authoritative they are.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Dec. 9, 1981
Activity Center - University of Colorado

Jeez Louise! This Formula One C>R is unstoppable! Reminds me that I really dig 1981 versions of this tandem - most of them come with serious exuberance and vim, but this one has just a wee bit more. And Garcia just tears in during the transition - bending notes, trilling, and flying through scales like a man possessed. Not sure what Weir's doing in Rider, but it works; obviously he's having fun.
Sugaree
May 9, 1979
Broome County Arena

May not be the cream of the crop, but this one combines super great energy with a loping, smooth chill mood. Much of the former thanks to the boisterous audience tapes in circulation. The latter: one can only guess. What makes the instant version special is the collaboration between group/audience - drives this one to some really clear open spaces. Garcia, by the way, is quite buoyant and melodic. The GD is ON from this welcoming epic opener through the entire show - cool ass show. One of my faves from '79.
Terrapin Station
May 17, 1977
Memorial Coliseum

This Terrapin has everything you'd possibly want from a Terrapin - it does every little thing exceedingly well. Brash, confident, smooth. Great lift. Tough for me to decide between this one, 5/19, and 5/26. And maybe a couple of others, but I have referred - in mixed company, no less - to this one as the creme de la creme de la tutti capo creme. If it isn't, it certainly shares the crown. Gorgeous.
Jack Straw
Jan. 11, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

One of my favorite songs. I don't see how this one is (by far) the top Jack Straw. It's fine, but the drums are clunky (two old sneakers in a dryer), the vocals are so-so, and the aggression doesn't really work for this song - or at least it doesn't sound earned. I appreciate Garcia's energy, but this is one of those situations where the fanning just bulldozes everything (and doesn't really add much). Compare this to the Spring 1977 versions and it's two completely different bands. Some early 80s versions are more interesting than this one, too.
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