Jack Straw - Grateful Dead Song Review

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

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).

The Rolling Stone Grateful Dead Issue - The Ultimate Guide

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."

Hell in a Bucket - Grateful Dead Song Review

Everything works about this song, Hell in a Bucket is Grateful Dead magic.

This song came out in the mid 80's when a lot of bands from the Grateful Dead era were putting out some real garbage  (hello Starship "We Built This City" and Neil Young "rockabilly and electronica experimentation"). In fact, the entire music world was generally putting out crappy music during the greedy Reagan era. Hell in a Bucket might have never been a radio worthy track but who cares? It rocked the opening to many shows.

I like that Brent is credited for the music (along with Bobby of course), and the enigmatic John Perry Barlow penned the words.  Some of the lines seem "groan worthy," but as a whole it really works.

The spirit of this line:

There may come a day I will dance on your grave
If unable to dance I will crawl

reminds me of the rebellious and humorous spirit embodied in songs like Saint of Circumstance and Touch of Grey (which is the opening track that precedes Hell in a Bucket on In the Dark).

Hell in a Bucket is very consistent and a great opener.  Jerry would usually play incredibly great (and fast) on Hell in a Bucket, and then as soon as it's over -  it's Jerry's turn to pick a song so Bucket sets up a strong 1st set by priming Jerry for an energetic and well played 2nd song.

There's some great tunes that comprise the group of songs the Grateful Dead regularly opened with: Jack Straw, Mississippi Half Step, Touch of Grey, etc.  In my opinion Hell in a Bucket holds it's own with these.

I've included a live performance video below from a show that I was actually at - Las Vegas, Sunday June 26th, 1994. This video brings back great memories from that night.  I believe this is the exact a feed from the video screens the Dead used on that tour - and some very creative intermingling of footage can be seen.

There's an "MTV" style music video for this song, do yourself a favor and DO NOT seek it out.  You will be disappointed.

Hell in a Bucket Song Rating on a Scale of 1-10: 9.3

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.

Greatest Story Ever Told - Grateful Dead Song Review

Moses came ridin'  up on a quasar

How I Learned About Greatest Story

Greatest Story Ever Told is a "first set" rocker that smokes.  This Bobby song was introduced way back in 1971 and played all the way through 1995. But for some reason I associate this song with hot 1980s shows (with Brent) that I would listen to on low quality cassette tapes that I would get from friends, so I always hear this song as low quality and "treble-y" when I hear it in my mind's eye (ear).

This song would always appear in the 1st set (sometimes the opener) and be  smokin'. It has a revved up beginning that is a "Chuck Berry" style riff (chords that are played by Phil!) and then just tears into its faced paced verses. The band punches through accents while Bobby spits the lyrics out and Jerry wails with his dynamic filter sound.

Greatest Story Ever Told appeared on Bobby's first solo album Ace, which was really a Grateful Dead record because the entire band was involved in providing the music that backed up Bobby's vocals.  That album by the way is a "must have" with 7 of the 8 songs becoming Grateful Dead concert favorites (including Cassidy and One More Saturday Night).

Some Crazy Lyrics in Greatest Story

There's not too many Bob Weir songs that feature lyrics written by Robert Hunter.  I must say, this song highlights the difference between the way that Bobby would use lyrics versus the way Jerry would.

For instance, some lines in Greatest Story really ring out and remind me of the cleverness of Robert Hunter lyrics that are in Jerry tunes:

I asked him for mercy, he gave me a gun

or

I asked him for water, he poured me some wine

But other lines sound like nothing of Hunter that Jerry ever sang:


Moses come riding up on a quasar 
His spurs was a-jingling, the door was ajar

or

Abraham and Isaac digging on a well
Mama come quick with the water witch spell



Lines like these  remind me of Bobby's habit of employing "nonsensical" lyrics that make the meanings to his songs hard to discern (for example, Estimated Prophet).  Also, as with the line "water witch spell," Bobby often uses consonance in his lyrics that make them very difficult to sing (like "quick beats in an icy heart, catch colt draws a coffin cart" from Cassidy).

So, although I can't figure out heads or tails of what the song Greatest Story Ever Told is about, I still think it's a good rock song that would get the crowd going.  I enjoyed it the one time I got to see it (at Shoreline). This is a nice and short upbeat song that I always listen in its entirety when it comes up on show recordings I am listening to.

Greatest Story Ever Told Song Rating on a Scale of 1-10: 8.2

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.

Gloria - Grateful Dead Song Review

In the song review before this one ("Gimme Some Lovin'"), I said that song was part of the GD's habit of mixing in fun "party rock" songs into their set to make sure they put on a remarkable "rock n roll" show (and probably had a lot of fun themselves).  Gloria falls into this category as well.

It's a great rock song written by Van Morrison, universally known and enjoyed.  If you were at a Grateful Dead show when they busted out this tune, you know you were having a good time.  I would also add that if it was your first time seeing The Dead and you didn't really know the canon of songs that they played throughout the concert, you would definitely be "on the bus" when they played Gloria (I said the same thing about Gimme Some Lovin').

I admit that when I watch the videos on youtube of the band playing Gloria, it sounds a bit loose and messy. I have no doubt that the song took whatever show to another level though just by it's sheer accessibility.

(...really wish that Jerry would have sung this one though)

Gloria Song Rating on a Scale of 1-10: 8.4

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.

Ashes and Glass - Grateful Dead Song Review

I'm including the song  Ashes and Glass in my Grateful Dead blog because I love the song and wanted to write  about it.

I think the Ashes and Glass is worthy of being considered a Grateful Dead song. I say this because it's a really great and original song and it sounds like it would have fit in really well in the Grateful Dead catalog.

The song is actually a Ratdog song, written by Bob Weir and Ratdog (additional lyrics by Andre Pessis). It came out in 1999, but I only became familiar with it recently.

The song has several versions on Youtube but they are live versions. I was really moved by the studio version - which you can buy on iTunes here.

Great Lyrics and Great Jamming 

When I first heard this song I had the distinct feeling I was getting to hear a long lost Grateful Dead song.  

You really have to go hear this song to appreciate it. The song features some great "deep" and metaphorical lyrics that remind me of other late Grateful Dead songs like Days Between.  The lyrics have the air of a wizened well traveled guy looking back and sharing what life's lessons have taught him. The song's premise is summed up in the first two lines:

What if all tomorrow brings is ashes and glass
And I can't tell you child, "this too shall pass"

...and then it goes through a lot of kind of "post apocalyptic" imagery and seems to be telling us: enjoy and make the most of the present and don't take life to seriously.

The music has a nice loping "Grateful Dead" shuffle to it.  I'm guessing it's Jeff Chimenti on the keys (plays wonderfully)  but  I couldn't really really venture a guess as to who the other musicians are.  There's some really tasteful dissonant jamming and I love the lead guitar.

Of course, there's a ton of  lyrical and musical nods to Throwing Stones in Ashes and Glass as well.

A Great "Grateful Dead" Song

I hope it doesn't come across as a slight to Bobby or Ratdog that I hold the song in such hight esteem that I consider it "worthy" of being considered a Grateful Dead song.

I am really glad that Bobby gave us another song that keeps the spirit of the Grateful Dead alive.

Ashes and Glass Song Rating on a Scale of 1-10: 9.3

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.

Bob Weir's Cool Deal at TRI and Move Me Brightly Jerry Celebration TONIGHT

In a very cool article in Business Week, Bob Weir discusses how he is using TRI studios (Tamalpais Research Institute) to stream live music to Yahoo's users.   The money made on these streaming concerts will be split generously with the musicians (which is rare in the music industry).

Tonight (August 3rd) will feature a concert called "Move Me Brightly" which is a celebration of Jerry Garcia's music.  The show will feature members of Vampire Weekend, Phish, and the Hold Steady (with Luke Wilson as the master of ceremonies - did not know, is he a Dead Head?)

Here is TRI Studios website, where you can see the concerts and learn a lot more.

Nice going Bobby!

Eternity - Grateful Dead Song Review

Eternity

Wow, it feels like I just reviewed Easy Answers and that was hard enough.  Now, this.  I wish I could skip Eternity (like I always do on my iPOD). 

As soon as Eternity starts you're just so disappointed - it just starts on a horrible chord.  I don't even feel like figuring out what chord - I don't want to know.  Eternity made it's debut right around the time I started seeing shows (1993) and then was played very frequently thereafter. I definitely got an earful of this song.

Eternity is a total "miss" by Wasserman and Weir.  It's scary that Willie Dixon wrote the lyrics, I don't even know what to think of that.  Just like Neil Young's "involvement" on Easy Answers, I'm guessing Eternity is one that Willie Dixon would just as soon forget.  

I defy anyone to make an argument that Eternity is a good song (I'm all ears).

Eternity's presence really detracts from some great shows in my favorite era of The Dead.  It is one of the list of embarrassing late era Grateful Dead songs like:

- Wave to the Wind
- Samba in the Rain
- If the Shoe Fits
- Childhood's End

I'm going to point out again that at this late stage in the band's career, Jerry was busting out killer new songs and covers, like:

• Lazy River Road
• Days Between
• So Many Roads (thanks for the reminder Sundar)
• Visions of Johanna 
• I Just Want to Make Love to YOu

So when you hear someone tell you that the band was running on empty in the 1990s because of Jerry's  health issues, just remember that he was still bringing the wood a lot of the time and having to pick up the energy of a show that was horribly marred by songs like Eternity.

Eternity Song Rating on a Scale of 1-10: 0.0

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. 

Estimated Prophet - Grateful Dead Song Review

Estimated Prophet is a powerful, lumbering, and truly original Grateful Dead song.

Estimated Prophet has a stuttering gait in 7/4 (or 14/4) and a brooding minor feel (except on the chorus, "California!..").  It is often played in conjunction with Eyes of the World (aka "Estimated Eyes") and that's a powerful combination.

Bobby sings about some crazy conceptual world of a person with delusions of being a prophet.  I seem to remember reading somewhere that Bobby, when discussing Estimated Prophet, made a reference to all the crazies he would meet at the backstage door of concerts (or something to that effect).  That's fitting because I always thought this song's lyrics were impenetrable but interesting.  It seems almost as though Bobby himself is rambling about nonsense. The lyrics are credited to John Barlow, and they are certainly mysterious (at best).  I found a cool discussion on TheWell.com about this song. The music is credited to Bob Weir alone, an impressive composition.

The song was on Terrapin Station and played very steadily from 1977 on through the end of the band in 1995. There is a great version on the famed Cornell 5/8/77 show (can we still really be waiting for an "official release" of this show?).  Jerry would always deliver great solos on this song but  the rest of the band never really stepped out on it.  Perhaps they were hamstrung by the odd meter...

Estimated Prophet Song Rating on a Scale of 1-10: 8.9

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.

Easy Answers - Grateful Dead Song Review

Boy I've been dreading writing this one.... 

This song's popular "lot" nickname "Cheesy Answers" really says it all.  

How did this song go so wrong? It has Robert Hunter helping on lyrics (not common for a Bobby tune), it has a bouncy upbeat rhythm and nice keyboards.  It sounds a bit like an 80's tune  - like something one of the solo Eagles would've made (but probably never released). And when I say '80's tune' I don't necessarily mean that in a derogatory way as some of the Dead's '80's sounding' tunes were great - like Feel Like a Stranger.

But the song just sucks. Also, it was usually played in the 2nd set, robbing the audience of a much better tune that could've been slotted there. It reminds me of Corrina (which I hate much less), Way to Go Home, Wave to the Wind and a the rest of the other 1990s "new" Dead tunes that fell really short. One thing I'd like to point out is that Jerry was still spinning gold during this  period (Lazy River, Days Between, etc).

I remember reading a review of the 1995 Grateful Dead experience that specifically pointed out the digust of the Deadheads when after 5 minutes of the Gyuto Monks onstage at Shoreline when Bobby pulled this tune out it was a real disappointment (because apparently there was magic in the air that was squandered on this song).  You can hear that entire show here (and a great setlist that show is, I will check it out in full later).

Rob Wasserman is also credited as a composer on this song and it was originally recorded with the help of Neil Young (who helped write it too), on this page I found Wasserman's recollection: 

"I remember thinking that the song must be pretty good when I saw Neil simultaneously washing dinner dishes at the studio sink and dancing non-stop while he listened to the playback."

I hate to rain on Wasserman's parade but I am not so sure I buy this. Why would old Neil be washing dishes if he loved the song so much... I would be curious to know if

a)Neil Young has ever performed  the song
or
b)if Neil ever worked with Rob (or Bobby) again after recording Easy Answers... if the answer to boh questions is "no" then perhaps Rob Wasserman misread Neil's feelings about Easy Answers.

In my research for this blog entry I did come across the website headyversion.com which I guess crowdsources the best versions of jamband songs and I love this idea.  you can see the entry for Easy Answers here and if you are feeling adventurous you could listen to the versions on archive.org to try and find a smokin' version of Easy Answers.  I think I'll pass on this.

Easy Answers Song Rating on a Scale of 1-10: 0.0

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 (and be sure to read my blog manifesto to understand a little more about where I'm coming from).

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).

All Along the Watchtower - Grateful Dead Song Review

I have to retroactively go back and add this one to the "A's" (it got skipped because it is listed as "Watchtower" in Deadbase which is the book I refer to for my list of all GD songs).

All Along the Watchtower was a smokin' 2nd set tune that seems like it was usually played when the band was having a good show. Watchtower would usually come out of drums or a late 2nd set post drums tune and really take the show to the next level.

Bobby sings Watchtower well, and Jerry always ripped on this song. I think its simple structure made it very easy for Jerry to sit back in A minor and play really fast. The song has some great lines that gave the crowd a chance to really cheer:

Two riders were approaching
And the wind, began to howl!

The song itself has a great legacy being a Bob Dylan tune from John Wesley Harding that Jimi Hendrix covered almost simultaneously on his Electric Ladyland album in 1968. Bob Dylan prefers the Jimi Hendrix arrangement (as do most people) and has stated that he feels like he is playing a tribute to Jimi everytime he performs the song.

The Grateful Dead used the song to great effect in elevating the energy of the 2nd set. I can't say they really put too much of their own "stamp" on the song but it is a great rock song and was very consisent in its delivery. Watchtower never disappoints when it I hear it on a tape.

All Along the Watchtower Song Rating on a Scale of 1-10: 8.3

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).

Cassidy - Grateful Dead Song Review

Oh I just got a little chill thinking about seeing Cassidy at Oakland Coliseum during the Chinese New Year run in 1994. It was raining outside and Cassidy was sandwiched betwen Loser and Don't Ease Me In. What a lucky man I was and still am to be able to remember this.

Cassidy is probably my favorite Bob Weir song. It is definitely a Bobby song and it was originally released on the studio album Ace, Bobby's solo album that had several other songs that would become Grateful Dead classics (Greatest Story Ever Told, Black Throated Wind, Mexicali Blues, Playin' in the Band, and Looks Like Rain).

I'm a little hard on Bob but I'm going to have to give credit for Cassidy and the Ace album as a whole - wow. Very prolific and great output of good music. If I remember what I read in the Grateful Dead books correctly - the sessions for Ace turned into almost like a Grateful Dead recording session because the band members were all participating.

But back to Cassidy. This song is magic. A first set song with an open jam section (a rare feature) and with great lyrics by John Barlow. There are extremely catchy and memorable lines to open:

I have seen where the wolf has slept by the silver stream
I can tell by the mark he left you were in his dream

and my other favorite part at the end:

Fare thee well now, let your life proceed by its own design
Nothing to tell now, let the words be your I am done with mine.

I don't know how to describe why Cassidy's lyrics are so magic to me. Well, they just have a timeless quality and the way the jam opens up slightly dissonant after they sing the "Fare thee well now..." line adds to this mysterious quality. Oh did I mention that the song has references to Neal Cassady:

Lost now are the country miles in his cadillac,
I can tell by the way you smile, he's coming back

This is evocative of a wonderful and magical time in the history of California and reminds me of the Merry Pranksters, Ken Kesey, the Acid Tests, and of course the beatnik era. I love reading books like On the Road, the Electric Kool Aid Acid Test, and others about this proud period in the history of California. There is a really great article on the Literary Kicks website where Barlow discusses Neal Cassady and also mentions the origins of the lyrics to Cassidy (many thanks to Sundar for bringing this to my attention).

So again I want to emphasize that Cassidy was one of the few first set songs with a wide open exploratory jam. Another one that comes to mind is Bird Song and these two songs always remind me of each other for some reason. Basically, you were hoping to get one or the other in the first set (both never seemed to be played in the same night) and either almost singlehandedly indicated a good set and probably a great show.

Bird Song also has that open jam section and the jam section in both Cassidy and Bird Song incorporate dissonant sounds - which transport the listener elsewhere. For some reason I want to point out that like in Bird Song, when the jam in Cassidy winds down, it is often not a precise transition back into the chorus: flight of the sea birds... there was always a looseness to this return to the song that some might describe as "sloppy." I actually really like the fact that it wasn't precise. This loose transition shows that The Grateful Dead were about pushing the envelope and exploring the jam portion of songs like this - not so much interested in earning style points for being tight.

For me, the quintissential version of Cassidy is on Without a Net. So I guess that means that I associate the song with Brent doubling the lead vocal. How cool is it that Brent could just sing along with Bobby through the entire tune even though he wasn't around when the song was initially created and played? How many other bands do you know of welcome a new keyboardist into the fold and then share lead vocals with him on their most favorite songs? That's just one of many reasons why the Grateful Dead rules, and tonight I'm gonna give it up for Bob Weir for making this song happen.

Cassidy Song Rating on a Scale of 1-10: 9.9

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).

Black Throated Wind - Grateful Dead Song Review

Black Throated Wind is a cool Bob Weir tune from his album called Ace. This is a great road song that starts out about a guy who is hitchhiking and the stars look like "stones from a slingshot on mars." No one will pick this guy up and then he waxes on about a love gone wrong.

To me, the song has always been evocative of a "70's midwestern truck stop lifestyle of denim, long hair, and boots." It's not a country song per se, but it's got a hint of country sensibility and certainly reminds me of middle america. It is a great road song. I was fortunate enough to hear Black Throated Wind at the Oakland Coliseum on 2/26/1994. I was really excited because it is another one of those Grateful Dead "rare gems" that definitely wasn't overplayed.

Black Throated Wind Rating on a Scale of 1-10: 8.8

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).