We’re just dipping back into the greatest hits as of late. Well, part of that was the methodology used the select songs for the past month. As you may have noticed I opted for one song from each Dick’s Picks release, in order starting on November 1st. I didn’t want to repeat any songs in that span and by this point the pickin’s were getting a bit slim.
Well, slim pickin’s isn’t really an accurate description, more like limited choices depending on what was on the release, what was already picked, and what stood out to me. So we have another version of Eyes Of The World and our second from 1977, but this one is from the fall tour and by that point the vibe had changed from the historic spring tour. By and large, I think I’ve gotten a good sampling of Eyes though – ’73, ’77, ’83, ’91 – at least enough to see how things changed. Now that I think about it I’m surprised that the Branford Eyes hasn’t made the cut yet, but perhaps it’s just too obvious.
In 1977 the Dead played 60 shows. They played Eyes of the World at exactly 20 of those, giving it a .333 hitting percentage. Not bad. I can’t help but think one of the factors that helped make 1977 such a hallowed year is the song selection. Obviously the new Terrapin Station material was key, mainly the title track and Estimated Prophet, but couple those with other heavy hitters like Eyes, a resurgent St. Stephen, and those epic Scarlet > Fires, not to mention the band’s freight train sound and tight playing. But I think the latter sparkled even more because of the vessels chosen.
Complete Setlist 11/5/77
Previous Eyes Of The World DFAY Selections
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Hey lunchbox,
Great to see you goin strong down the home stretch. I will miss your effort, as I usually either pop in the days song via CD if I own, but more often with spotify at work. Love your takes on the music and surely love someone directing me to a song with a little history and views on the playing that event.
Thanks as always
again with the bob weir bashing, first of all it was a communal band, all did no blame, BOB wrote many of the songs that turned into the jams the band is known for and spawned a musical category- how many jams out of stella blue are there? none perhaps, from what i’ve read garcia hated writing songs, loved the guitar and would rather sing back up…..on a positve note you seem to respect BRENT’S contribution- HEY STAY POSITIVE