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

Candyman
June 11, 1976
Boston Music Hall

In a moving '76 way, this is basically perfect - complete band sympathy. Grace, dynamics. And Garcia sings over the bed beautifully. This version floats in '76 jello mold. And Garcia's insane Atlantis break with Hart's beautiful, choppy ride compliment is nearly too much. It just levitates. All of it. That they brought this transport as regularly as they did is incredible. Yet, I wouldn't call this Candyman ordinary or regular at all. It's a stand-out.
The Other One
Jan. 2, 1970
Fillmore East (Late Show)

For a quick second I thought Weir was Robert Fripp. Garcia is in prime late 69/70 form but Fendery. This is such a comfortable, light-on-its-feet version it goes down like a [fill in yr favorite, warm pillowy confection] in a [a cylindrical object or embankment of some kind]. Such a smooth, telepathic landing after getting pretty far out.
Dark Star
Jan. 17, 1969
Civic Auditorium

A full-bodied confident Garcia plays with a bunch of mini-themes in the first half. Then mood turns quite serious @ 7:00. Really sweet staircase guitar dialogue ensues with Garcia finally hitting a steady, insistent arpeggiation against Weir's comps. Two guitar players who listen. The whole group, really. Guitar rock.
Bertha
April 26, 1972
Jahrhunderthalle

Love love love this version. Everyone's got a tiger in his tank, but Kreutzmann really leads the pack here. Those quick fills. Ace.
Viola Lee Blues
April 6, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

Crazy, explosive stuff. I don't how much more intensely a rock band can play - and yet it is so smooth. At about 9:26, Garcia and Lesh play chicken. High speed chicken. Then everything goes fucking haywire, like Vietnam haywire. And then you're at your front door. I had a lovely evening!
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