headyversion

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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.
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Comments

Comes A Time
May 4, 1977
The Palladium

A letter perfect ballet transition landing into the intro, followed by a dynamics-machine of a group. An emotive, deep version.
Playin' In The Band
May 4, 1977
The Palladium

The open spaces in this Playin' are nearly cinematic - peak period for the 2-drummer second coming; they set the table. Lesh repeats a melodic line and the whole thing pushes off from shore. This is a super-patient take that gets pretty far out there. A little like William Hurt in the isolation tank - primal, dark, disturbed sounds. What I love is how intimate it is - people completely opening up their minds and letting it all mingle. I can think of easier places to do it than The Palladium, but this be why the GD be unique.
Terrapin Station
May 4, 1977
The Palladium

Agree w/drumspace - this is a smokin' show that sits practically next door to the Chosen. This is a beautiful Terrapin - as smooth and pillowy as they come. Everyone did their homework on this one. Or ... road work. Probably better than 85+% Terrapins out there. I can think of a couple better, maybe, but that's about it. Weir guides the ship with his compressed, slice-n-dice guitar playing. Garcia slips on a turnaround then more than repays the indulgence with an insane guitar transition. Unique and crazy. PS: drums are perfeck. Full band massage.
Terrapin Station
May 4, 1977
The Palladium

Exactly.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Feb. 21, 1973
Assembly Hall, University Of Illinois

A little walking on a tightrope - the whole thing's a little wobbly at times, but not in a sloppy way - it's just the fragile dynamic they walk. Truly contemplative - and sometimes contemplation means hesitation. + Garcia stretches the Strat out into Other Instrument Territory. He can't help but take some ridiculous risks, but this is the essence of ambitious guitar playing. And Weir completely hammers the C>R transition, then moves over to block for the now elusive Garcia. Run to daylight, amigo. Run to daylight. [I have something in my eye!] + Spoiler alert: he does.
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