headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3568


Submissions

1
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
July 25, 1972
Paramount Theater

Overlooked, patient little gemerald.
4
Jack Straw
March 31, 1973
War Memorial

Bright, snappy, and full of mello P&V.
2
Loser
March 24, 1971
Winterland Arena

From the opening little parlay, hooked.
3
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
April 29, 1971
Fillmore East

This one is the sound of a band that knows it can do pretty much anything. Smooth and fiery.
6
Tennessee Jed
Oct. 26, 1971
The Palestra, U. of Rochester

Jed As Tight Little Pop Song. Tight and snappy, enthusiasm for a new classic.

Comments

Tennessee Jed
Oct. 9, 1976
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Stadium

'76 Tennessee Jed. Elite shit.
Jack Straw
Dec. 29, 1977
Winterland Arena

This version has its positives, but the drums are sloppy and that ruins any momentum (important in this song). Yep - D & Co. have plenty of other issues. I saw them once and hated it. Boring and I loathe John Mayer's putrid voice. Good guitar player, but not all THAT good. I don't begrudge them for doing it, but I find D & Co. annoying and vapid. Also, SLOOOOWWWWW. Yuck. + And credit to the New Yorker for the description "two old sneakers in a dryer" - although that characterization probably precedes the NYer article.
Playin' In The Band
March 28, 1972
Academy of Music

How did this one wind up the forgotten sister from these shows? This a flying beast! Garcia loses his mind at least three times.
Not Fade Away
Nov. 8, 1970
Capitol Theater

And toward the end of this furious NFA, a guitar orchestra ship descends softly and leads to some truly beautiful and unique way-outs. The toppest of drawers.
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
Nov. 8, 1970
Capitol Theater

Emerges from a devastating NFA, and soothes anyone concerned that we were always going to be in Abstractland. Tribal drum holdover from NFA adds a girthy edge. Then the group just settles in.