Day 8: Truckin', 2/19/71

Truckin', Three From The Vault, 2/19/71

In a lot of ways Truckin' is the quintessential Dead song. It's got a bluesy feel, a driving beat, interesting lyrics, and some serious jams. After spending the day chasing toddlers around it seems like an adequate description of what was going on. And since it's almost 9pm and I'm just getting to this now, I needed a good, peppy song to help motivate me to push through and write tonight. "One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain." Well, that may not be entirely true, but I certainly understand the sentiment, and yes, sometimes music can help push you through. This song certainly fits that bill for me today.

When looking for a version of Truckin' for today I wanted something a bit more raw so the 70-71 period seemed ideal. Glancing through my options this one just jumped out at me. I've always liked pretty much everything I ever heard from this Capitol Theatre run, so I felt confident diving into Three From The Vault. I know that much of this run was recorded in multi-track for what became the Skull and Roses live album. I sure wouldn't mind a box set released of this whole run if that were possible! This is the first show without Mickey in the band, as he left after the previous night's show until the last night before the band's hiatus in 1974 at Winterland (10/20/74).

This version of Truckin' starts off the first set and just has a ton of energy. I love how the crowd is mixed in to the song in places and you can hear them erupt as the song starts off and clapping along as it pushed along down the setlist. I love Garcia's guitar tone in this. It has a real thick tone in the first minute or two. By the second verse it's a little clearer and cleaner, but still sounds great. Without knowing for sure it sounds like a Strat (or some other guitar with single coil pick ups) into a Fender amp. Needless to say it sounds great. Pigpen's organ playing is very understated through most of the song, and provides some really nice sustain. He steps out for a few brief measures here and there with some added flourishes that really sound good. The "Get back truckin' on" part at about 4:45 has both Weir and Garcia just belting it out and Pig in the background shining on organ. The guitar solo that follows is all kinds of tasty and Garcia lays down some really solid blues based lines. Billy is really pounding the skins too, almost as if Mickey's absence lights a fire under his throne or perhaps he's taking out his frustrations on his kit? Phil said that Billy played like a "young god" on the Europe '72 tour, and this show seems to be in that same vein.

Day 7: I Will Take You Home, 3/25/90

I Will Take You Home, 3/25/90, Dozin' At The Knick

This song is a bit obvious for today. My second son was born on 2/6/14 at 6:16am, and we brought him home this afternoon. This song really speaks to the occasion in both a lyrical and metaphorical way. Swap out the words "little girl" for "little boy," as I'm sure plenty of Dead Head parents have done over the years, and this song becomes immediately applicable to your life. I know that Brent had his demons and that in the end the promises he makes in this song ultimately became hollow when he passed, but I've always chosen to focus on the sweet, sentimental, and parental aspects of this song. I've always liked the tune, but it's taken on increased significance for me since my first son was born and it's just as poignant today with my second.

I only have three versions of this song on official releases: the album version on Built To Last (which I actually heard in the car this morning and helped prompt this selection), the Dozin' version, and the one on Nightfall of Diamonds.

I opted for the Dozin' version because it's the one I'm most familiar with, and I love the Spring of 1990. This particular version comes out of space and Jerry is working with various members of the brass section throughout. I know that a lot of people don't like Brent, especially when he sang, and find this song a buzzkill, but not me. I find the MIDI work on this very really interesting and I like Jerry's experimentation with different brass instruments. I think they add a lot of dynamic and texture to the song. Near the end, around 4:40, Brent really holds onto the final "will" of the eponymous line in the song and I just find it moving. (Kind of like the poignancy of his "rap" during Blow Away on 7/7/89.) So give this version a chance!

Day 6: Eyes Of The World, 9/7/73

Eyes Of The World, Wake Of The Flood (Expanded), 9/7/73

Today is a day 40 weeks in the making and one that I've put some thought into for the blog. I'm currently in the hospital with my wife awaiting the arrival of our second son. There are several choices in the Dead canon that relate to the idea of new beginnings and renewal. I thought long and hard about finding a Let It Grow for this occasion, but settled on Eyes Of The World. Eyes seems to have more of an innocence vibe and I find the lyrics more appropriate for such a natal event. (I'm a big fan of Let It Grow so don't be surprised if one shows up really soon. My copy of DaP9 just arrived and I'm yet to get to the third disc, but I hear great things about that WRS.)

I've always been a big fan of the Dead's studio work. I know that the band were generally not a fan of their studio efforts, but I tend to find them very underrated, especially the run from about 1970-1975. Pretty much all of the studio records in that period are solid gold in my opinion. When I got the expanded WOTF this version of Eyes really stood out to me and I've enjoyed it often in recent years. I believe this was the tour right after the album came out so this was new to the repertoire. The band attacks the jam with the passion and ferocity one would expect of 1973. The fact that it clocks in at over 17 minutes doesn't hurt either. I always dig the Stronger Than Dirt jam in these early Eyes, and Jerry just lays it all out during the jam. Keith has a nice Fender Rhodes going at the same time which has a real soft, warm sound that complements the trebly, ice picking tone of Garcia's guitar in this version. 

So sit back, relax, and give this one a spin. I think you'll find something you like in there somewhere.