headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3568


Submissions

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.
2
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.
8
Me and My Uncle
Nov. 17, 1971
Albuquerque Civic Auditorium

Two things: (1) the middle of a searing Other One > MAMU > Other One fest and (2) Garcia loses his mind (or mine) at the end of the solo.

Comments

Brown Eyed Women
April 24, 1978
Horton Field House - Illinois State University

Agreed. I don't understand what they were going for, if anything. Just a bloody mess.
The Other One
July 2, 1971
Fillmore West

@ 1:22: Pig's organ comes in and I thought a refrigeration compressor in our upstairs GE was going on the fritz. What a cool sound. Metallic. Such a spacious version of The Grateful Dead. Or the Grateful Dead (I can never get that right).
He's Gone
June 7, 1977
Winterland Arena

How do I keep forgetting this magical version? Demonstrates the dynamic control and sense of narrative this version of the group had. Garcia, in some ways, at the height of his powers. No one else on earth plays that beautiful guitar break.
Candyman
June 7, 1977
Winterland Arena

I can't think of a better Candyman. Even without the memorable *probably* - some very high level Garcia vocals. He's acting. Such a treat! Don't even get me started on the epic guitar break. Jeeeeezus.
Playin' In The Band
Nov. 9, 1973
Winterland Arena

Godchaux and Weir frame the lush action. Splendido!