headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3668


Submissions

10
Jack Straw
June 10, 1973
RFK Stadium

Relaxed and joyous space-age electric guitar semi-ballad.
9
Bertha
Feb. 21, 1971
Capitol Theater

Warp speed, precise, slightly unhinged, and driving into the greenish-blue evening.
1
Jack Straw
Oct. 30, 1971
Taft Auditorium

Godchaux leads a version that seethes with the excitement of a new song.
3
Brown Eyed Women
May 20, 1973
U.C.

A giggly, slangy Garcia masterpiece (in sweet show sauce). Goes down EZ.
8
Mexicali Blues
Feb. 28, 1973
Salt Palace

So good you can practically see the border town.

Comments

The Other One
June 24, 1970
Capitol Theatre

Late-Spring 1970 is such a sweet spot for The Other One. I'm also more familiar with the CLASSIC late show, but this is fabulous. And I dig the audience recordings from Portchester, 1970. So much top shelf listening.
The Other One
May 15, 1970
Fillmore East (Late Show)

Lesh and Garcia burst out with such abandon and force, I have to think they were just chomping at the bit during Drums. Ferocious and especially all out for an early show entry. Right around peak form for the time. Which is peak form pretty much anytime.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
June 22, 1974
Jai-Alai Fronton

Upon more reflection, this version sets right out in the perfect gait. Then Garcia, Godchaux, and Lesh are free to embark on a loose, easy, rpm synchronized swim. The Weir jam is one of the grooviest - the two guitars dueling, jabbing, ducking, weaving down a turquoise waterslide.
Scarlet Begonias
June 8, 1974
Coliseum Stadium

Start with Lesh's corduroy bass and let it fly from there. As Carrion said, amazing ensemble playing - intricate and virtuoso, but sounds as easy as slipping in the tub. Garcia's sweet voice. And a guitar with seemingly endless ideas -- even within a tidy 6 minutes. Garcia at his most fluid and modern. And the ending is tiiiyyyeeeettt.
Brown Eyed Women
May 26, 1977
Baltimore Civic Center

Booof! American Bandstand perfect. Garcia's flying.