With this take on Dupree’s Diamond Blues we find another example where I wanted to explore how the 1978 configuration of the Grateful Dead handled the song.
The Keith and Donna iteration of the band only played the song 6 times (in 1977 and 1978) and this is the only version featuring those two that has been released. Once I considered those facts this decision became a no-brainer for me. What I expected to hear and what they actually played were somewhat divergent, but that’s the beauty of the Dead. Each configuration’s approach to a given song could be radically different. I would be intrigued in some of those Fall 1977 versions getting some play though. Perhaps I’ll have to track a couple of those down to see how they compare with this version. Ok, I just checked my collection and I have a copy of 10/2/77 and gave it a quick listen. It’s good. Really good. I may even like it better than this version. See, I wouldn’t have even looked that up if I wasn’t writing this. This project is paying dividends for me too (at least in the music listening and appreciation department).
Random side note: I really like the fractal artwork for this release too.
I hate to break it to you but if this is from the Dick’s Picks album it must be a filler of sorts or there is a mix up somewhere because the version you have playing here is the studio version if I’m not mistaken.
You’re right. I must have copied the wrong link. Fixing it now. Thanks for letting me know!
You sure you got the date right, LBX? The cover of DP8 says 2/3 and 2/5, not 2/4. Anyway… This tale of crazy pursuit of the so-called jellyroll survives its new incarnation with surprising integrity. Donna Jean adds a sweet topping on the vocals as everyone else stomps along confidently. Garcia is all over the guitar parts and there is nary a missed note anywhere along the way. I can’t think of a version of this song this late in the game that could beat this one.
Steven, there are only 2 tracks from 2/4 on this release and this is one of them (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick%27s_Picks_Volume_18). I made sure to double check that part, and the correct file should be playing now too.
Agreed that this is a great take by this incarnation of the band. Dupree’s is definitely a song I love hearing and would like to hear more. I’ve been reading Blair Jackson’s Garcia: An American Life and I really liked the brief discussion about this song when covering the Aoxomoxoa period.