NP2 & NP3 - Rare & Unique Vol. 1 & 2

                                                                   

The Grateful Dead live catalog is diverse, and there are trends among eras. Originals and cover songs alike were introduced, retired, included as segues both common and rare, and moved around the setlist. With Rare and Unique Vol. 1 and 2, I set out to reveal some of the least common songs and covers performed throughout the band’s tenure.

While some performances aren’t the most technically proficient, most are sure to provide listening value in one way or another. Check out Pigpen getting into the Christmas spirit, Stephen Stills railroading Jerry’s guitar volume on a CSN cover, Bobby reciting a quasi-poem over “The Other One” intro, the band taking a few stabs at Hornsby originals, Jerry reciting “La Bamba”, and more. 

The compilation is in chronological order, and kicks off with Pigpen pouring out his soul on “Pain in My Heart”. “Big Boy Pete” is an odd cover, as it was introduced in ’66, revived in ’69, ’78 and ’85 for no more than 2 performances each time. With a total of 8 versions, it is among the more common songs presented here. 

A few acoustic numbers lighten the mood, followed by a rousing “Run Rudolph Run” from December ’71. This is one of 7 versions from the same month. You may (should) recognize “Happiness is Drumming” in its only performance, as an embryonic version of a soon-to-be Dead classic. “Oh Boy” was first performed in ’71, revived once in ’78, and trotted out three more times in ’81 before being shelved permanently. 

Next Bobby presents an off the cuff improvised “Mack the Knife” before admitting they haven’t worked on it, much to the crowd’s enjoyment. Jerry and Bobby had previously  performed other Everly brothers songs, but “Bye Bye Love” was only played twice, and this version includes Joan Baez - sorry. One of the acoustic guitars experienced some input jack problems; I’m just not sure whose.

I encourage you to read up on ”Bob Star”, which is a lyrical addition to the intro of “The Other One”. Bobby experimented with this in the early ‘80s, and I’d love to know what the rest of the band thought of it. The first disc closes with Stephen Stills sitting in on “Love the One You’re With”, in its only Dead performance. It takes some time for everyone to get in line, as it came out of Space… weird. The song doesn’t show anyone in the best light, but there are plenty of Phil bombs and exuberant background vocals. Perhaps a matrix would help things, or at least help reveal the crowd’s excitement. This is the second consecutive night for Stephen Stills, who performed “Black Queen” the night before. 

Disc two starts with the only performance of “Goodnight Irene”, which was the encore for New Years ’83. Rick Danko is on acoustic, John Cippolina is on Guitar, Maria Muldaur sings, and Terry Cagle adds tambourine. 

“New Orleans” was performed thrice in ’70, but I chose the ’84 bustout. The mid-‘80s were chock full of covers, and even those of The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. “Why Don’t We Do It In the Road” is one such example, having been performed 7 times total. It kicks off a very strange and short first set, leading into a truncated “Mississippi Half Step”. I always love hearing Brent and Phil share vocals.

The Beatles mini-set continues with another show opening tune: “Day Tripper”, seemingly called out by one of the drummers. Bobby tears through the vocals with Brent on harmony - much more refined than the previous number. After a “Shakedown” opener in ’87, the boys play their only “Get Back”. The performance and the show in general are regarded as miserable, but its worth a laugh for the tricks Healy played on Bobby’s vocals. It is rumored that this kind of trickery was only audible in the mains and not in Bobby’s monitors, and that they were a contributing factor to Healy leaving the team. 

“Little Bunny Foo Foo” breaks the Beatles set, and leads into a searing “Good Lovin’ > La Bamba > Good Lovin”. What a relief to finally hear the song after it being teased for so long! “What’s Goin’ On” is augmented by Hall & Oates, from the Rain Forest Benefit in ’88, also featuring Suzanne Vega, Mick Taylor, Baba Olatunji, Hornsby, and Jack Cassady on other tunes.

“California Earthquake” was a show opener and set closer in its two performances in October ’89. Dense with lyrics, this song is among the best performed on this compilation. Two Hornsby originals round out the compilation, followed by the last of 4 “Take Me to the River” outings; this one is from in July ’95. It is one of only 6 songs Bobby sang at this show, and 3 of them were covers. Bobby relied on covers heavily in the ‘90s - I don’t know why. This is a confusing recording from a confusing time in their tenure: Vince on saxophones, everyone isolated and compressed through in-ear monitors, reverb on everything, and teleprompters on stage. 

While these performances aren’t legendary, when arranged together they reveal the explorative side of the band. Enjoy!

Disc 1:
Pain In My Heart (11.19.66)
Big Boy Pete (9.6.69)
The Master's Bouquet (12.26.69)
Saw Mill (1.31.70)
Bound In Memories (1.31.70)
Cocaine Habit Blues (8.5.70)
Run, Rudolph, Run (12.7.71)
Rockin' Pneumonia & The Boogie Woogie Blues (9.3.72)
Happiness Is Drumming (6.28.76)
Oh Boy (4.25.81)
Mack The Knife Tease (11.30.81)
Bye, Bye, Love (12.31.81)
Bob Star > The Other One (4.16.83)
Love The One You're With (4.17.83)
Running time - 56:06

Disc 2:
Goodnight, Irene (12.31.83)
New Orleans (6.21.84)
Why Don't We Do It In The Road (4.7.85)
Day Tripper (6.25.85)
Get Back (1.28.87)
Little Bunny Foo Foo (5.3.87)
Good Lovin' > La Bamba > Good Lovin' (9.18.87)
What's Goin' On (With Hall & Oates) (9.24.88)
California Earthquake (10.23.89)
Stander On The Mountain (12.3.90)
Valley Road (12.9.90)
Take Me To The River (7.6.95)
Running time - 52:55

Click here for my MP3 mix of Rare & Unique Vol. 1 & 2. Join the folder and receive updates each time a new release is added!