I hope it doesn’t seem like I complain in these pages too much about what I don’t like about the Dead’s various song selections. But when people defend all the Chuck Berry covers, of which I generally dislike, my mind tends to turn to the Dead’s own catalog to see what might have worked instead. The Chuck Berry songs are upbeat rockers that really get the dancefloor moving. I’m of the opinion that Passenger is just as much a pedal-to-the-metal rocker as any Chuck Berry song and would have been a very solid alternative.
The song was played 99 times between 1977 and 1981. Seeing how that covered at least two personnel eras it’s a shame it didn’t last longer into the Brent era, as he was clearly familiar with the tune. Oh well, such is life. Passenger is a really short song and maybe that was part of the problem? However, the Dead never really had an issue with morphing a 3 minute song into a 8-15 minute opus if they were so inclined. Clearly I like the song, but this is one that I don’t really have a feel for how the community in general feels about it. I always found the chorus to be very catchy and true to form on most songs where Jerry was absolved of singing duties he generally tears up the fretboard on this little ditty as well. What’s not to like?!
Feel free to weigh in on Passenger in the comments.
Thanks as always for the post LB. Actually sitting on the deck w/ beer in hand listiening to DP 29 from 77, the Fla show. Never want to start debate about different year or tours, but spring 77 was a highlight for sure. Do love Passenger and agree they could have done more with it and kinda like you, the Berry tunes mostly have something missing. But then again the Dead always seemed to pay respects to the greats of the past and I often thing the Berry detour was one of those tip of the hats.
Sorry I’ve been off the radar, but work, combined w/ music festivals working or attending wears the hell out of me. Caught Bobby and RatDog 2weekends ago and was simply in awe. If he’s heading your way,don’t miss them. He’s revigorated and the versions of all the tunes was fabulous. Chimetti on the keys, Wasserman and the rest really had it all together. Hope all’s well in the great state of Co and the family is well. Keep it goin, you almost at the 50 yard line.
I agree, Lunchbox, that this song would have been most welcome in the 80s and 90s although, like many tunes, I much prefer to hear Donna. It certainly would have fit in the same role as Johnny B. Goode but I think it also would have fit well in the same spot as Sampson and Delilah.
As for the Chuck Berry songs, I pretty much always love to hear the Dead do Promised Land. Johnny B. Goode is fun, but not particularly special on most occasions. Around and Around is fairly low on my list of favorites but once in awhile it can be great.
Some on-stage discussion precedes this, none particularly audible. Keith is very active on the synthesizer, which adds fun quacking. The song gets rocking strongly from the get-go. The singing is pretty good, too. This is my favorite flavor of the song – well practiced and confident, with a few raw edges. Jerry is king of the slide guitar here. He was shaky on that method sometimes, but he pretty much nails it on this tune. It’s a raging beast of a song, and ditto for this version. It wraps noisily to big applause.