headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3673


Submissions

13
Bird Song
Feb. 21, 1971
Capitol Theater

An intimate very early Bird Song - Quartet-styled, which serves this song really well. Also: you can hear the thinking, especially between guitars.
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.

Comments

Dark Star
Oct. 13, 1968
Avalon Ballroom

In its own way, this version wins my devotion just as much as the (justly) fabled night before. The interplay is telepathic and contentious. It's its own little company town with it's own microclimate. Liquid is right.
The Other One
April 28, 1971
Fillmore East

I still love this one - a total peach.
Dark Star
April 29, 1972
Musikhalle

If you can be under-appreciated with 26 votes, this is. This Dark Star sounds like the easiest thing anyone could do. They almost immediately surrender to the tide.
China Cat Sunflower
March 16, 1968
Carousel Ballroom

Comes seething out of Dark Star - a multitasking masterpiece. The drums carry a lot of this great version, but everyone is smoking it.
Dark Star
March 16, 1968
Carousel Ballroom

Taken at a snappy pace, this one calls on Garcia to Fred Astaire it on the Les Paul and he's in killer form. He echoes off the organ and percussion - or a frog, jumping lily pad to lily pad. A stone classic.