Mike's Grateful Dead Blog

Grateful Dead - Baba O'Riley into Tomorrow Never Knows Video

2013-08-28T16:22:00.001-07:00

Haven't written many blogs lately, been doing a lot of travel and moving. I was watching this video today and wanted to share. You can read my thoughts on Baba O'Riley here.

I remember hearing this sequence on tapes back during my (short lived) GD tour life and I always thought it was really majestic. I think Vince Welnick does great on this medley and I think that it's a really cool choice for The Grateful Dead to integrate into the set at that period.

Just a Little Light - Grateful Dead Song Review

2013-07-31T16:20:00.000-07:00

It's kind of uncomfortable for me to review Brent Mydland because I love him as keyboardist for The Grateful Dead but never actually saw him live with GD. As a result I don't have any powerful memories associated with dancing to his originals at shows and maybe that's why I am not huge into his original songs.

But Just a Little Light is a pretty cool tune, one of my favorite of Brent's originals. It has a tense brooding feel and is built upon a minor key. Jerry plays his dynamic filter sound which really makes this Mydland tune "seem like a Grateful Dead song" (some of his other songs just don't fit in with The Dead's music and it seems like they are playing backing band for a guest singer).

Just a Little Light is the 2nd track on Built to Last - the Grateful Dead's final studio album. The song was played 20 odd times only in 1989 and 1990. It was primarily in the middle to late 1st set. Below is a version which I think is a fine rendition of the song. This is their 5th time playing it from July of 1989. Just about 24 years ago this month. Wow.

Thanks Taste4phree for the upload.

Just a Little Light Song Rating on a Scale of 1-10: 6.8

Disclaimer: This is part of my blog that reviews all things Grateful Dead for fun. Music is a beautiful thing because it is so personal and subjective, so keep in mind that this is one man's opinion(read my blog manifesto to understand my Grateful Dead background a little more).

Johnny B Good - Grateful Dead Song Review

2013-07-28T16:20:00.000-07:00

Johnny B Good is a true standout in the pantheon of American Roll. Written by Chuck Berry in 1958, and a abased on the blues progression, this song could almost be considered the signature rock and roll song.

I don't have a terrible lot to say about Johnny B Good as far as the Grateful Dead goes, they would play it and play it well, usually at the end of shows. This song represents the 'fun rock and roll band' side of The Grateful Dead as opposed to the cerebral side that brings you songs like Estimated Prophet or Slipknot.

When I hear Johnny B Good, it reminds me that The Dead got their start entertaining people in a pizza parlor. At the end of the day, The Dead would often play very simple rock and roll songs like this one, I Fought the Law, Satisfaction, and even Louie Louie. I like hearing these types of songs on bootlegs. For people at shows who are far out of their minds, as song like this might help them come back down to earth at the end of the set.

This song was performed hundreds of time going all the way back to the band's earliest days and usually lasted only a few minutes. If a Grateful Dead show is like a great movie, then Johnny B Good is the ending where the credits are rolling. You know the movie is over, and there's not going to be any more surprises, but you stick around to watch the credits because you liked the movie so much, you don't want it to end.

Or if you're like a lot of people, when the credits begin you make your way to the exit to get ready and buy (or sell) a kind veggie burrito.

Johnny B Good Rating on a Scale of 1-10: 7.3

Shining Star - Great JGB Footage from 1991

2013-07-02T16:20:00.000-07:00

Once again going to have to give a shoutout to LoloYodel for producing, and uploading gems like this.

This just speaks for itself. I love Shining Star, and I think everyone does. It's 14 mellow minutes of Jerry alternating between singing and playing solos.

Jerry seems very happy playing this, pay special attention to 4:10 and onward. This is something I don't see from him very much in other videos on Youtube, but the way I remember him at JGB shows.

Jack Straw - Grateful Dead Song Review

2013-06-25T16:20:00.000-07:00

Man, "Jack Straw from Wichita."

What I would give to go back in a time machine to when I clawed the cellophane off of the Europe '72 "double CD" (yes I got into the Grateful Dead at age 17 in 1992) and heard Jack Straw for the first time.

Jack Straw was just instantly like-able, but certainly not because it was a "bubble gum" pop song that climbed into your subconscious with it's catchy melody. Jack Staw is an epic tale with an extremely cool and original musical structure (music by Weir, lyrics by Hunter).

What imagery this song has! What great lyrics!

Leaving Texas, fourth day of July
Sun so hot, the clouds so low, the eagles filled the sky...

I'm so partial to the Europe '72 version I've included a youtube embed of it from youtube below.

A Song That is Eternally Fresh

In the twenty years since I started listening to the Grateful Dead, I've probably heard a hundred or more Jack Straws (mostly opening the 1st set). I can tell you that never once have I fast forwarded through Jack Straw. The song is just so pleasing and builds so nicely with such great lyrics and an evolving structure. It's just perfect, and definitely none too simple.

I've also been known to crank up Jack Straw as loud as it will go when the 2nd jam starts. This section can really reach great heights (especially for an opener) as Phil drops bombs while Jerry builds the intensity. When you hear a great Jack Straw with Jerry playing great leads, you just know that the next song is going to be a Jerry song because he is just 'feeling it' and is going to take over and deliver a stellar 1st set.

That's how powerful Jack Straw is.

The Creative Peak of the Early 1970's

For you Grateful Dead purists who favor the early to mid 1970's dead, I have to hand it to you, this is an extremely exciting period in the band's history. So many of the songs that came about from 1970-1974 were incredible and became staples of the live show for the remainder of the Grateful Dead's existence . Many of these great songs are like Jack Straw in that they were never even recorded in the studio (Brown Eyed Women, Ramble on Rose, Tennessee Jed), the band was on such a creative tear.

Sentimental Jack Straw Memory

Jack Straw was the last show opener I ever saw (at the Las Vegas Sunday show in 1995). I remember getting pretty emotional for some reason when Jerry and the band walked onstage under the hot Las Vegas sun and started Jack Straw. In the casinos during the Las Vegas shows, you could occasionally hear unsuspecting casino employees paging Grateful Dead characters at some prankster's request: "Jack Straw, please pick up a courtesy phone." It sure was great when the Deadheads took over the Las Vegas Strip, I will never forget those shows.

Jack Straw Rating on a Scale of 1-10: 9.9

Reuben and Cherise Breakout - Unbelievable Audience Recording

2013-06-18T16:20:00.000-07:00

This gives me such chills hearing it. I think I might have even posted about this before, but it bears repeating.

If you're at work or something, do yourself a favor and wait to watch this until you can get to a quiet and private place (and turn it up loud).

This recording is just... I can't find words to describe it. But I believe there was a kind of magic present in the collective consciousness at Grateful Dead shows. This is the closest I've ever come to connecting with that magic since August 9th, 1995.

THANK YOU to thejjak4 for posting this. A note in the comments on the video says this is actually from a show on 3/17/91 (not 3/18/91 as listed in the video title).

Jack a Roe - Grateful Dead Song Review

2013-06-13T16:20:00.000-07:00

This is a hot little ditty that was prevalent in the early part of the 1st set from the late 70s pretty regularly through the band's final tour. Jack a Roe never officially was released on a studio album but there is a studio "outtake" from the Go To Heaven sessions. That version is nice, but the live versions are where it's at.

Jerry must've really liked this one. He played it a lot and also played it in the JGB acoustic band. He pretty much consistently delivered great solos over this chord progression.

I would say that Jack a Roe is definitely "underrated." I don't think it will make anyone's top 10 list, but it was pretty a pretty smoking first set tune.

The song is credited to "traditional" so it probably goes way back and is an English war time tale of a girl who dresses up as a man to be with her lover who is enlisted in the Navy. It's a stirring tale of love and risk with a happy ending.

Favorite Versions of Jack a Roe

Jack a Roe popped up on Reckoning as it's first "official" release, and that's a memorable version. But truthfully, you can hear great versions quite often if you listen to bootlegs from almost any era starting in the late 1970s. In fact, it's so consistent that I have a hard time even thinking of a "standout" Jack a Roe but I'm sure most true old school head could rattle off a specific show with a killer version. I can't say I've ever heard a version where the band really "stepped out" on the song, it was always played pretty straight.

The youtube I posted below was one of the first that I found and a pretty great version. Jerry is playing The Wolf which is always nice to see. Thanks to splaif for posting this on youtube.

Jack a Roe Rating on a Scale of 1-10: 7.9

I Will Take You Home - Grateful Dead Song Review

2013-06-06T16:20:00.000-07:00

This song makes me think of cassette tapes that looked about like this:

I Will Take You Home is a beautiful "music box" type melody accompanied by Brent Mydland's impassioned lyrics to his daughter. This is very moving to think about, and makes what happened to him in 1990 all the more painful.

This is the final studio song on the final studio album Built to Last. This song really strikes a chord. Jerry would often accompany the song with a French Horn sound. I would have loved to have been at one of the shows where they played this.

If there is possibly one gripe about I Will Take You Home is that it's usual position in the set (coming out of Space) is also the spot where some pretty incredible other Grateful Dead tunes would make their way into the show (China Doll, The Wheel, and Goin' Down the Road Feeling Bad come to mind).

I Will Take You Home Rating on a Scale of 1-10: 8.4

Thanks Taste4Phree for posting this on youtube.

Hey Mona - Grateful Dead Song Review

2013-06-02T16:20:00.000-07:00

I forgot Hey Mona previously when I was working my way through the alphabet, and who can blame me? It's super rare. It was played twice (once in 1972 and once in 1991).

It's rare but it's good. The song is often referred to as simply Mona and the youtube below captures the audio from the 1991 version. It's a catchy song played over the famous "Bo Diddley Beat." Jerry sings "Hey Bo Diddley" when they first start singing.

Also, Santana and Gary Duncan (from Quicksilver Messenger Service) other guest is on this song. Some pretty serious shredding ensues, but as always, I'd prefer just to hear Jerry and the boys playing.

Hey Mona Song Rating on a Scale of 1-10: 8.6

Thanks to CraxyFingers76 for posting this on youtube.

It Must Have Been the Roses - Grateful Dead Song Review

2013-05-23T16:20:00.000-07:00

What an amazing catalog of music Jerry and the Dead have. This song is basically "lost in the shuffle" of a hundred other great tunes but something tells me if most country artist's had written it, it would be one of their signature 'greatest hits.'

The studio version of the song is from Jerry Garcia's amazing Reflections album. This is a 'must have' for any Deadhead - not a single disappointing track in the bunch. It sure does sound like The Grateful Dead backing him up on that version.

This song is credited to Robert Hunter on Dead.net (both words and music - possibly the only GD song with this distinction?). This song simply has to whet your appetite for more Robert Hunter, whose catalog I've always meant to explore more fully. It is such a simple and beautiful country ballad. It's just so authentic and laid back.

I remember hearing from some friends who had traveled back to see the Dead that they had gotten a hold of some blotter with roses printed on it. When the band played this song, it provided a very special moment for them.

Favorite Version:

The version off of Dick's Picks 17 from Boston Garden September 25th, 1991 stands out to me. This is not available streaming online (due to being on Dick's Picks) but there's a version from September 16th, 1991 from Youtube below that is also very good (albeit a few mistakes).

Incidentally, Dick's Picks 17 is probably tied with Dick's Picks 27 (December 16th, 1992) as my favorite Dick's Picks. Both are late era shows (with Vince no less), and might not appeal to many Deadheads as much, but I sure do wish we had more releases from this time period(which is why I wrote an open letter for the release of all 1990's era Dead recordings).

It Must've Been the Roses Song Rating on a Scale of 1-10: 9.1

Russian Lullaby at The Warfield - Garcia Grisman video

2013-05-19T22:09:00.001-07:00

Wow, this is really great footage, thanks to Loloyodel for posting it. Garcia/Grisman is a great album and I actually remember when it came out and what a nice surprise it was to hear Garcia in this setting.

This video shows a relaxed and happy Jerry playing an Irving Berlin classic.

It's All Over Now Baby Blue - Grateful Dead Song Review

2013-05-14T16:20:00.000-07:00

You may be surprised to know that (It's All Over Now) Baby Blue was first played in the earliest days of the Dead and of course throughout the 80's and 90's. There was a long stretch from 1974 through 1981 where the band didn't play the song.

This song is a good example of Jerry and the Dead showing their love and respect for Bob Dylan's songwriting. It's also a good example of the band putting a song in the encore spot that lyrically works well for the end of a show (ie Brokedown Palace: "Gonna leave this ...." or And We Bid you Goodnight. This type of detail is what made Grateful Dead shows such a nice encapsulated "trip."

The song's lyrics are a somewhat bitter and cruel "telling off" of a lover (or some other close relation). This kind of theme is not unlike other Dylan songs like It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry. The song brings an air of "f--k you" attitude to it that I think Jerry might've connected with because of the difficult nature of his relationships and his need to frequently pick up and start fresh (with wives, family, etc).

Jerry does some pretty powerful singing during Baby Blue, as you can hear in the embed below (from 10/19/1990 in Berlin Germany). There's one line in each verse that requires a really powerful delivery (strike another match, start anew) and the key is just perfect for Jerry's range.

The Rolling Stones also have a pretty well known version of Baby Blue. It is from their version that the famous sample in Beck's Jackass was taken.

I'm a little less enamored with Baby Blue than most Deadheads. I never got to see it live (although I could hear it one time in the parking lot at Shoreline), and the song has kind of a sour overtone due to Dylan's cruel lyrics.

The rest of the band really doesn't bring much flavor to this song, it's played really "straight" almost like karaoke. Unfortunately, Bruce Hornsby is playing accordion on the embed below. I really like what Hornsby brought to the table except that damn accordion.

Baby Blue seems like it would've fit in a little better with the JGB repertoire than the Dead's.

It's All Over Now Baby Blue Song Rating on a Scale of 1-10: 8.1

Thanks Schnukleford for posting this on Youtube.

Unbelievable Morning Dew from Chapel Hill, North Carolina 3-25-1993

2013-05-09T22:12:00.000-07:00

Is this my favorite Morning Dew? Why not ? I think it's the best I've ever seen on Youtube at least.

I am still partial to the one I saw on 6-26-1994 in Las Vegas and I know I heard an even more epic one from MSG I've heard in late 1993 I think. It feels weird to pick a favorite, I enjoy them all.

Some would say blasphemy to pick a favorite Morning Dew from this late period. I have listened to every year, even the coveted 1970s, and the band simply didn't use to play with such collective dynamics as they do in the second half of this video.

During the beginning of Jerry's 5 minute epic guitar solo to end this show, you can hear a pin drop in between notes - everyone in the band is so tastefully laid back, whereas in the 1970s the drummers would be hammering a steady beat during this part. Little things like that are what make me appreciate this era.

Also, gotta hand it to Vince Welnick on the keys here, really beautiful playing, it reminds me of Keith in 1972.

Thanks to LoloYodel for the post on youtube.

Iko Iko - Grateful Dead Song Review

2013-05-07T16:20:00.000-07:00

Iko Iko is a great song, it just "brings the party" with it. Although Iko Iko (sometimes spelled Aiko Aiko) is a bit mellow in its tempo, the infectious beat and "hand claps" made it perfect for it's typical slot as 2nd set opener.

If I close my eyes and imagine seeing Iko Iko, I picture it at an outdoor stadium show during the daytime. There are beach balls being bandied about by the audience on the floor and everyone is having a good time and enjoying each other a lot (as opposed to being enraptured by what's going on up on stage or closing their eyes and experiencing the music in an introverted manner).

This song embodies the spirit of a Mardi Gras "second line" which is an impromptu parade of party people often wearing Indian headdresses and colorful outfits. This song no doubt is a "traditional" type chant that became a pop song after someone put it down on wax (wikipedia credits James "Sugar Boy" Crawford as the composer but then the Dixie Cups also recorded it claiming to have learned it from their grandmothers and a lawsuit ensued).

Iko Iko was played pretty regularly throughout the rest of the band's career after its debut in 1977. As with most of the Grateful Dead songs that I write about, I am sure most Grateful Dead purists would prefer earlier performances but I am partial to performances of this song later in their career.

To illustrate why I prefer later versions, I'm going to refer you to this version from Vegas 1994. Just listen to the opening few minutes and how relaxed and explorative Jerry is as he toys around with the guitar melody. It sounds like he is emulating the piano licks of Professor Longhair. If you've written off the 1994 version of The Grateful Dead as unlistenable (even I admit it was a trying year), then you'll probably be surprised at how tight this version is and how lively Jerry's guitar and vocals are.

Similarities to Man Smart Woman Smarter
This song definitely has a similar chord structure and feel to Women are Smarter, but it's definitely not "indistinguishable until either Bobby or Jerry sings" (as I've heard a couple of Deadheads describe it). Iko Iko starts off with Jerry's bouncy guitar 'single note' figure and Women are Smarter starts off with Bobby strumming chords.

Iko Iko Song Rating on a Scale of 1-10: 9.0

Note: comments are encouraged and appreciated (enter them below) but it takes several days for them to show up in the blog entry (due to a Disqus plugin issue).

A couple of cool Grateful Dead Pictures

2013-05-02T16:20:00.000-07:00

I'm so sorry this photo is so tiny. This is really ridiculous for me to share it but something about it really appeals to me. It's a side of the Grateful Dead you don't really see - the backstage. I think that's Kidd Candelario in the foreground. I'm friends with him on Facebook and this is a picture someone tagged him in.

This one is Jerry prowling at night. He lived hard, you can just tell. That's a special Fender briefcase that is the color and material of a Fender guitar case. Look how dirty it is... I'm guessing this is 1980 or so.

Who Was John - Jerry Garcia Band

2013-04-25T16:20:00.000-07:00

I've heard more than one person say they enjoyed JGB shows more than Dead shows. Songs like this support this line of thinking. Even Donna sounds good:

I'm going to digress unnecessarily here and hypothesize that the era that I saw the dead (mid 1990s) was probably the time that you could best make the argument that JGB was a better show. FIrst of all, JGB was sick at this time. Secondly, the Grateful Dead started struggling in the mid 1990s, especially in 1994 and 1995.

I think Jerry seemed very happy playing in JGB. Bill Kreutzmann has controversially stated that Jerry did not enjoy playing with The Grateful Dead during the bands' swan song.

(thanks Jimmi B for posting this on Youtube)

The Rolling Stone Grateful Dead Issue - The Ultimate Guide

2013-04-19T16:20:00.000-07:00

There was a lot of hype about this in the Grateful Dead Facebook Communities that I 'like' on Facebook.

I got the issue and it's a collection of old interviews. Most are with Jerry which is nice. There's a new article about the 20 "must see" shows and there's only one in the 1990s (and a ton in the 1960's) so I didn't even read that. There's also a new article from Bob Weir which I'll get to soon.

I've got to say that I'm thus far a little underwhelmed by this "ultimate guide."

I Fought the Law - Grateful Dead Song Review

2013-04-01T16:20:00.000-07:00

My bias for 1990's Dead and also my favoritism toward Jerry is probably going to really come out on this post because I actually like I Fought the Law.

IFTL (tape abbreviation) was universally derided as a disappointing encore. I remember people immediately streaming to the exit in disgust when it began. Many songs that came about in the 1990s that are in retrospect pretty terrible (Wave to the Wind, Childhood's End), were at least unique enough at the time for Deadheads to reserve judgement, but not I Fought the Law.

What can I say, I found it enjoyable and still do. There is a youtube of it at the bottom of this post (no video but an audio version). I think it's sounds like a pretty fair representation of I Fought the Law. I like the way Jerry sings this part in a high register:

I left my baby and it feels so bad

Guess my race is run

She's the best girl that I ever had

I fought the law and the law won

This song was very short at least. Also, it was exclusively played as an encore, so at least it didn't mar the momentum of a great set with its inclusion. The song came about in March 1993, just a couple of months before my first show and was played somewhat frequently (35+ times until August 1995)... so this is definitely "my era" of seeing the Dead, and I saw it several times (maybe my fond concert memories are making me remember this song too kindly).

A Warning to Deadheads?

A theory that I heard bandied about the parking lot scene was that the song was intended to be a warning to Deadheads about police crackdown and undercover police. That seems to be a stretch but heaven knows there were some legal atrocities occurring during this period at the hands of "mandatory minimum" laws.

I Fought The Law Song Rating on a Scale of 1-10: 6.5

Note: comments are encouraged and appreciated (enter them below) but it takes several days for them to show up in the blog entry (due to a Disqus plugin issue).

JGB at Blockbuster Pavilion, Devore CA 5-13-1994

2013-03-26T23:07:00.000-07:00

The first few minutes only are stills. This is Jerry playing a really great show at this late date.

Many people don't know that The Grateful Dead had shows booked the following year (late 1995) at this location which was sometimes referred to as the Glen Helen Blockbuster Pavilion in Devore CA. Tickets to this concert were sold, but the shows were not meant to be.

Thanks to BurningShoreProphet for the youtube post.

I Know You Rider - Grateful Dead Song Review

2013-03-24T04:20:00.000-07:00

I wish I was a headlight, on a northbound train
I wish I was a headlight, on a northbound train
I'd shine my light through the cool Colorado rain

This song is obviously best remembered coming out of China Cat Sunflower hence the "China Rider" abbreviation for the medley that was adopted on cassette sleeves.

The song is listed as composed by "traditional" and early recordings are credited to the great field work of ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax (so you know this song goes way back). I've heard a dozen or more different versions from various bluegrass and Americana themed groups. Most of these alternative takes on the song are much slower. Nothing compares to the Grateful Dead's interpretation, they really "souped it up."

2nd Set Opener (Most Commonly)

Getting China Rider is about as good as it gets to open the 2nd set in my experience (note that it also appeared other locations in the set earlier on in the band's tenure, including occasionally opening the show). I will never get tired of the jam from China Cat into I Know You Rider. It's just a collective swell behind Jerry's "pedal to the medal" soloing. This combination is one I can guarantee I've never fast forwarded through in 20 years of listening to The Grateful Dead.

Jerry's Verse

If I had to pick a favorite part, well of course it would be "Jerry's verse" where he sings the lines at the top of this blog... this is a part of the recording where you would actually prefer to be listening to an "audience recording" so you can hear the swell of cheers when he belts it out.

I Know You Rider Without China Cat Sunflower

As I said in my review of Franklin's Tower and Fire on the Mountain, hearing the songs that are part of a famed medley (ie Help>Slip>Frank and Scarlet>Fire) without their proper predecessor just doesn't feel right. It's like having dessert without enjoying dinner first...

Favorite Versions

I think that the versions of this with Brent are the ones are the most excellent. The version on Without a Net is definitely one of my favorites. I think that the song was really consistent even until the last days of Jerry playing it, but it probably lost a little fire at the tail end of the Grateful Dead (during Vince Welnick's tenure).

Of course, there's also a fantastic version on Europe '72. I seem to be bringing up that double disc in all the recent song reviews, it's really amazing how packed that live recording is with great Dead songs. It's also interesting to contemplate the vocal overdubs that are on those recordings. Some day I'm going to do a close listen to the versions on Europe '72 and compare them to the soundboards from box set release of the entire tour that was The Dead finally did a couple years ago. 73 CD box set (!) Is that the biggest box set of all time? How do we get a similar release from the 1990s??

I Know You Rider Song Rating on a Scale of 1-10: 9.2

Note: comments are encouraged and appreciated (enter them below) but it takes several days for them to show up in the blog entry (due to a Disqus plugin issue).

It's All Over Now - Grateful Dead Song Review

2013-03-13T16:20:00.000-07:00

This is a cool Rolling Stones rocker that may be alternatively known as "I Used to Love Her." I like this song. I like that the Dead would choose a "lesser known" Rolling Stones song and no doubt it got a good crowd reaction when it was played. I think many casual Deadheads aren't familiar with this song, possibly because it wasn't played too often. It had a nice long run however, appearing in 1976 and played all the way up until 1995.

The video below is from Alpine Valley in 1989 (thanks Kulpo42 for the upload). As always, I'm amazed and going to point out how great it is to hear Jerry play the main rhythmic figure throughout the song. The solos are great (Brent and especially Jerry) and the background vocals add a lot to the song (also by Brent and Jerry).

It's hard not to be reminded of The Last Time because that's also a Rolling Stones song, also somewhat "lesser known," and features a somewhat similar repetitive guitar figure that Jerry seemed to really get into. The Last Time is more of a 2nd set post "space" tune and All Over Now was more of a first set rocker.

All Over Now is a great tune that is consistently delivered (perhaps owing to its simplicity its long 19 year run in the repertoire).

All Over Now Song Rating on a Scale of 1-10: 8.5

Note: comments are encouraged and appreciated (enter them below) but it takes several days for them to show up in the blog entry (due to a Disqus plugin issue).

Hurts Me Too - Grateful Dead Song Review

2013-02-28T16:20:00.000-08:00

This is a slow blues song that I associate with Europe '72 (my primary exposure to it).

When I was a young whippersnapper first discovering great albums like Europe '72, this kind of slow blues song was definitely "not my bag." But, as I get older, I think I can appreciate more the soulful vibe that Pigpen brought to songs like this.

When I hear Hurts Me Too, I am reminded that Jerry Garcia was an amazing blues guitar player who got a great slide guitar sound out of that strat (with the Alligator on it).

Hurts Me Too was written by Elmore James and his version is great (I just listened to it here on youtube.com).

Hurts Me Too was only played between 1967 and 1972. There is a nice version of it below from the Europe '72 tour. It was recorded at Tivoli Concert Hall in Copenhagen Denmark (thanks to Park Lots for posting). If you've read any accounts of this tour, you can imagine that the Dead were probably very happy to slow down and do a bluesy slow song like this - they were in the middle of a wild tour!

Hurts Me Too Song Rating on a Scale of 1-10: 6.5

Note: comments are encouraged and appreciated but it takes a while for them to show up in the blog entry (due to a Disqus plugin issue). Enter them below.

Hey Pocky Way - Grateful Dead Song Review

2013-02-19T16:20:00.000-08:00

It is really a blast to write this blog because I get to focus on songs like Hey Pocky Way.

I really was looking forward to this one because this funky high octane song just plain rocks. Originally recorded by The Meters, Hey Pocky Way really smokes when Brent sang it with The Grateful Dead.

The song is credited to the guys in The Meters on Dead.net, but also includes a nod to "traditional," so the origins of the song might be a bit murky. Perhaps it is an adaptation of a Mardi Gras type chant that was handed down through the ages.

This song is the perfect vehicle to showcase the talents of Brent Mydland. Between his singing/screaming and searing Hammond organ solos, Hey Pocky Way picks up the tempo and energy of any Grateful Dead set in which it appeared (and it frequently opened the set).

Two of Brent's best known tunes are not written by him (Hey Pocky Way and Dear Mr. Fantasy).

Hey Pockey Way was played a total of 25 times between 1987 and Brent's death in 1990. The version below was from the first month they brought the song out and it already sounds super tight (thanks Park Lots for posting this to youtube). I've yet to hear a version that isn't totally awesome.

Hey Pocky Way Song Rating on a Scale of 1-10: 8.9

Note: comments are encouraged and appreciated but it takes a while for them to show up in the blog entry (due to a Disqus plugin issue). Enter them below.

New Feature on Dead.net - Greatest Stories Ever Told

2013-02-13T16:20:00.000-08:00

There's a great new feature on Dead.net: Greatest Stories Ever Told, in which David Dodd will take readers through a review of one of the Grateful Dead's songs each week.

David Dodd is a great GD scholar who is behind the Annotated Grateful Dead Lyrics site - a site that is often linked to from this site.

Greatest Stories Ever Told is a similar format to what I've been doing here, but certainly with a much more experienced and embedded Deadhead, so I recommend following it as I've liked what I read so far.

Don't worry, I'll keep doing what I do here as well as time permits. I enjoy the interaction this site brings, thanks for reading.

Here Comes Sunshine - Grateful Dead Song Review

2013-02-08T00:26:00.001-08:00

Another truly original gem from Hunter/Garcia via the Wake of the Flood album is Here Comes Sunshine.

As it appears on the studio album it has a very mellow (almost sedated) gait and laid back vocal delivery. You can almost hear it as a continuation of the spirit of psychedelic epics like Cosmic Charlie and China Cat Sunflower. By the mid 1970s, The Grateful Dead were still very psychedelic but in such a tasteful, understated, and harmonious way (see Eyes of the World and Crazy Fingers).

The lyrics are a bit abstract and of course start of with the line that became the namesake for the album Wake of the Flood. According to the entry for this song on The Annotated Grateful Dead Lyrics site, the song was accompanied by this note from Robert Hunter in the lyric book:

"Remembering the great Vanport, Washington flood of 1949, living in other people's homes, a family abandoned by father; second grade"

As played live, the song definitely brought a lot more energy and when Jerry would sing "keep the mother rolling," truly the band would be thundering along.

Vince Welnick Revives Here Comes Sunshine

Here comes Sunshine was "retired" in 1973 or so it would seem. After a 19 year hiatus the Grateful Dead busted it out to open the show at Compton Terrace on December 6th, 1992. If you listen to the soundboard you can hear the crowds reaction. It sounded like they're about to start Help on the Way when Jerry warmed this one up to start off concerts in the 1990s.

Vince Welnick is credited for the return of Here Comes Sunshine including the (almost) a capella arrangement that started it. Vince's keyboard sound reminds me of The Disney Magic Lights parade and some would definitely characterize it as cheesy. Personally I love the sound he uses and I love 1990s versions the best (although 1970s versions are fantastic). I might be biased because I have a soft spot for Vince (and listen to 1990s shows mainly). Also, I heard this song at my first show on May 15th, 1993 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. It still seems crazy to me that I can only hear an audience recording of this show (though I'm very grateful to have at least that). This is why I created an open letter for the release of all recordings of The Grateful Dead 1990s shows. Release all those soundboards and videos, Grateful Dead!!

It is a bit of a surprise to realize that Brent never played this one. His voice would've made it great. It's also a surprise that Wake of the Flood wasn't released on CD until 1995. Heck I remember my first CDs in 1985, so it comes as a surprise this wasn't available digitally until 1995 - perhaps a complication with the fact that it was originally released on Round/Grateful Dead Records?

Here Comes Sunshine Song Rating on a Scale of 1-10: 9.5

Note: comments are encouraged and appreciated but it takes a while for them to show up in the blog entry (due to a Disqus plugin issue). Enter them below!