Friday, June 5, 2009

Dark Hollow - Grateful Dead Song Review

This song is a catchy little bluesy acoustic tune that Bob Weir would sing. There is a nice harmony where Jerry would join in on the chorus.

Thinking of this song, I am reminded of Reckoning - that's probably the version that I'm most familiar with.

Dark Hollow has a classic and timeless feel to it. I am reminded of other songs like Been All Around this World, and Oh Babe, It Ain't No Lie that were classic standards that the Dead integrated into their sound. The Grateful Dead didn't really make Dark Hollow their own by any means - they did a pretty traditional arrangement and didn't stretch out the song with any jamming. Still, it is a nice little "train" song that harkens back to a time before airplanes.

Being sandwiched between It Must Have Been the Roses and China Doll on Reckoning underscores the fact that there are many other songs I'd rather listen to the Grateful Dead perform (and most have Jerry singing).

Dark Hollow
Song Rating on a Scale of 1-10: 5.4

Disclaimer: This is part of my review of every Grateful Dead song from A-Z. Music is a beautiful thing because it is so personal and subjective, so keep in mind that this is one man's opinion (and be sure to read my blog manifesto to understand a little more about where I'm coming from).

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Dancing in the Street - Grateful Dead Song Review

Dancin' Dancin'.... Dancin' in the Street!

Okay, I admit this song is legendary for its meaning and the time it represents. Dancing in the Streets is a song that I picture the Dead playing on the back of a flatbed truck in Golden Gate park circa 1968 (I think I've seen some video of an event like this).

Dancing in the Streets is a Motown song (I just found out Marvin Gaye had a hand in writing it) and the Dead would play it often early in their career. I think that this song became an anthem of sorts that symbolized the liberal movement of the civil rights era.

Dancing in the Streets has never "done it" for me. Maybe my subconscious was violated by the David Bowie and Mick Jagger video that I grew up watching on MTV. Although the song's tempo is upbeat it still seems like it just drags on because the various sections seem to unfold painfully slow. Also, I associate the song with Donna Godchaux as she had a strong presence in many versions I've heard (strike two). Finally, it seems that most of the versions I've heard are at least 10 minutes long - sometimes well over 10 minutes (strike three).

If I had been "dancin' in the streets" in the 60's and 70's and witnessed this song in concert, it would probably have a lot more sentimental memories. As much as I am proud of the history of California and the Summer of Love and Civil Rights era, I can't fast forward this song quickly enough when it comes on.

Dancing in the Streets Song Rating on a Scale of 1-10: 5.0

Disclaimer: This is part of my review of every Grateful Dead song from A-Z. Music is a beautiful thing because it is so personal and subjective, so keep in mind that this is one man's opinion (and be sure to read my blog manifesto to understand a little more about where I'm coming from).

Monday, June 1, 2009

Cumberland Blues - Grateful Dead Song Review

One of the best memories I have of the Grateful Dead is the first time I heard Europe '72.

As soon as Cumberland Blues started (the first track on Europe '72) I fell in love with that bouncy bassline and the "down home" way the band would jam that "I-V" Cumberland progression that sounds like a jug band meets a rolling train. I'm kind of not as big of a fan of bluegrass and American "roots" music as most Deadheads, but I really love Cumberland Blues.

This song is deceptively simple at first and is characterized by it's main simple motif. Cumberland Blues actually has some pretty interesting vocal harmonies and a few different sections. This song is definitely not a blues progression like the name might suggest. The band also would jam pretty hard throughout this song and step out a fair bit within the relatively simple chordal framework.

The song was played fairly regularly early in the band's career and then was put on a shelf from 1974 through 1981 (a 394 show hiatus - thanks Deadbase). The song was played sparingly through the rest of the band's career. In later years, Cumberland Blues was usually mixed into the first set and often combined with similar songs like Maggie's Farm, Big River, and sometimes followed Mexicali Blues.
The lyrics by Robert Hunter are a really interesting and abstract tale of a mine worker who labors in unjust circumstances at the Cumberland Mine. It is a snapshot of the time when large American firms capitalized off of the sweat of their laborers and didn't compensate them fairly and this is the situation that gave rise to the labor unions (which are referenced in Cumberland Blues as well). The lyric's hopeless tone is somewhat contradictory to the fun bouncy rhythm of the song, but the lyrics do fit in perfectly with other songs like Easy Wind and Dire Wolf on Workingman's Dead.

Some versions of Cumberland would get really hot thanks to the musicianship and group dynamics when the band would start really stepping out on the solo sections behind Jerry's leads. At the very least Cumberland is always a great song to hear because of the excellent lyrics and beautiful harmonies.

Cumberland Blues Song Rating on a Scale of 1-10: 9.3

Disclaimer: This is part of my review of every Grateful Dead song from A-Z. Music is a beautiful thing because it is so personal and subjective, so keep in mind that this is one man's opinion (and be sure to read my blog manifesto to understand a little more about where I'm coming from).