headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3568


Submissions

3
Tennessee Jed
July 21, 1972
Paramount Northwest Theater

Ho-Hum: Another outstanding 1972 TJ. This gem from the sorta overlooked summer tour. Garcia aces the break, natch. Band - unconscious. Whew! at end.
6
Candyman
June 21, 1976
Tower Theater

From Garcia's cheeky intro on, this graceful cabochon throws a faint, warm light. 1976 elegance w/a sick, raw spider web guitar break.
2
Wharf Rat
March 21, 1985
Hampton Coliseum

First show - I didn't know this gem very well & after this criss-crossy version, I was hooked. Dark & murky.
3
Loser
July 21, 1972
Paramount Northwest Theater

Download Series - An intimate, casual living room Loser. Garcia coming out of the guitar break is divine. Not the actor.
4
Ship of Fools
Oct. 18, 1978
Winterland Arena

An especially sharp and spirited specimen - expressive vocals, the rhythm section is precise, and Garcia's guitar break is masterful. A still life.

Comments

Cryptical Envelopment
Aug. 24, 1968
Shrine Auditorium

فوق العاده حماسی! - for a while a soundtrack to a completely different story. I'm not entirely sure what the Arabic stuff says, but something like "super epic" according to Google.
Casey Jones
Oct. 2, 1977
Paramount Theatre

Hearing so much high praise, I approached this version perhaps too hopeful. I admire the stick-to-it spirit, but the wheels coming off is really just the wheels coming off. Some inspired moments, but not really feeling this one. Maybe not horrible, but in somewhat depressing disarray.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
April 3, 1982
The Scope

Garcia sounds like he's really having fun singing this one - he improvises different grace notes and tails (giving that extra swirl). The Big Guitar sounds fucking tiparillo. And that's the Scarlet! A 14-minute version that just screams! Gets pretty far out. The Fire is merely a crushinator.
Terrapin Station
Feb. 4, 1978
Milwaukee Auditorium

Where has this been hiding???? Weir slashing & compressed. Garcia is in great voice and his guitar pierces the hazy air like an arrow (of sound, obviously).
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
April 11, 1972
Newcastle City Hall

I can't really think of many better ones. Into the 3rd verse = sick. The transition is just nasty! And, yeah, Garcia's Charles In-Charge.