You may have seen the term “Disco Dead” thrown around, and you may have heard a few examples. This compilation brings together some of the funkiest late ‘70s recordings under the sun. Forgive the double cowboy medley; I couldn’t decide which to use! There are 3 Brent performances, and the rest are from the Godchaux era.
First Set
What better way to open and close a show than Bobby’s "Chuck Berry Special"? “Promised Land” opens set one, and “Johnny B Goode” is the encore. “Dire Wolf” is among the numerous, bouncy double-time renditions played during the disco era, along with “Ramble on Rose” (Keith is awake and active!) and “Loser”, also found here.
In an era of experimentation in the cowboy songs, I found two examples (among many) worthy of inclusion. “Me and My Uncle > Big River” (11/2/77) has a definite BeeGees vibe. If you think the BeeGees comparison is odd, search around and find a BeeGees tease or two - they’re out there. “Mama Tried > Mexicali Blues” is from 2 years later (11/1/79). You’d think the drummers would have tired of the disco cowboy songs, but they managed to keep it upbeat. Brent on the Hammond certainly helps, and Jerry’s use of the auto-filter on “Mexicali” adds a distinct flavor. “Jack Straw”, “Passenger” and “Music Never Stopped” round out the set.
Second Set
For set two, the drums lead the way on a festive (New Years ’76) “Good Lovin” that transitions into “Samson & Delilah” via a funky jam I’ve not heard attempted any time else. It must have been improvised, seeing as this date is only the second time the two songs were played in the same show! It’s hard to imagine “Samson” anywhere but the second set opening slot, but it bounced around soon after its debut. “Bertha” usually led into “Good Lovin”, which further diminishes the probability of this unique jam occuring again. In fact, "Good Lovin" never preceded "Samson" again, regardless of the segue jam.
The Red Rocks ’78 run is not to be missed. I included the 7/8 “Estimated > Other One > Eyes” sequence in part due to the inclusion of “The Other One” sandwiched between the very common “Estimated > Eyes” combo. It sounds like everyone in the band expected “Eyes” until Jerry steered the jam into dissonant territory, when the drummers and Phil initiate the bass intro. On a good matrix or AUD you can hear the crowd’s surprise.
I snipped the original ending into drums, but it’s worth it to sub in the “Let it Grow > Drums > Let it Grow” from 6/27/76. It clocks in at 17 minutes and showcases how tight the group could be, even with 7 people on stage. The group transition out of drums is remarkable.
On the original tape the sequence leads into “Wharf Rat”, but I’ve substituted it for the version from 11/24/79, which originally led out of a decidedly disco-less “Saint of Circumstance”. The “Wharf Rat” presented here has no disco flair, but you've just gotta have a ballad in the ballad spot! “One More Saturday Night” brings the evening to a close in raucous form.
The Grateful Dead were versatile enough to make the banal style (I hesitate to give it the distinction of a genre) of disco interesting. The band added a layer of funk to songs both old and new, at a time when their keyboardist was fading into the background and they were re-adapting to playing with Mickey. The hiatus in ’75 revitalized a worn out and over-toured band, and gave them time to stretch their jazz chops.
After the Blues for Allah shows though, some of that jazz tendency faded and disco was welcomed. I don’t think you’ll have any issue finding something to like about this collection, so shine up the platform shoes and point that finger in the air.
Sum it up real quick:
- double time Loser and Ramble on Rose
- lots of cowboy songs
- unique Good Lovin > Samson jam
- Chuck Berry opener/encore
- fast, disco, funky
Set 1:
Promised Land (10.15.76)
Dire Wolf (6.4.78)
Me And My Uncle > (11.2.77)
Big River (11.2.77)
Brown Eyed Women (9.27.76)
Mama Tried > (11.1.79)
Mexicali Blues (11.1.79)
Ramble On Rose (10.29.77)
Jack Straw (5.17.77)
Loser (10.29.77)
Passenger (5.15.77)
The Music Never Stopped (6.9.77)
Running Time 59:50
Set 2:
Good Lovin' > (12.31.76)
Samson & Delilah (12.31.76)
Estimated Prophet > (7.8.78)
The Other One > (7.8.78)
Eyes Of The World > (7.8.78)
Let It Grow > (6.27.76)
Drums > (6.27.76)
Let It Grow (6.27.76)
Wharf Rat (11.24.79)
One More Saturday Night (5.6.78)
Encore:
Johnny B Goode
Running Time 83:35
Burn "Good > Samson" on disc 1 to make this fit on 2 discs