headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

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

Playin' In The Band
Oct. 18, 1972
Fox Theater

Authority! For the spaceout, Weir demonstrates his great skill in setting the table. The whole rendition is, as someone above said, purposeful. An anatomy chart of The Grateful Dead, Fall 1972.
The Eleven
Feb. 28, 1969
Fillmore West

Happy to be the 51st vote! I feel like Puerto Rico! This song isn't generally played much better. Alive!
Estimated Prophet
Nov. 26, 1980
The Sportatorium

This rendition deserves more news coverage! Garcia's the Cap'n here. Really nice period for Estimateds. Oh AND - the outro starts spare and patient. Then it gets intense. Again, Garcia's why this works so well. Outro: Garcia's warm envelope sauce soon melts into some super intense guitar work. A pretty great all-around Estimated.
Playin' In The Band
May 4, 1972
Olympia Theater

It's true. Such a great period for Playins.
Brown Eyed Women
May 9, 1977
War Memorial

Better than Cornell or not (for me: probably not), this demonstrates beautifully how, in May of 1977, this song achieved full flower. What scares me is that this has a mere 10 more votes than the next candidate: 1991 Giants Stadium? OK - "scares" is a bit of drama. Extra. Sorry.