Just a Little Light - Grateful Dead Song Review

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

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

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).

Shining Star - Great JGB Footage from 1991

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.