This 1966 sampler includes rarities, early versions of evergreen songs, and a healthy dose of banter. Although The Grateful Dead were around in 1965, it wasn’t until 1966 that shows were recorded well. Much of the year is still unavailable, but the shows in circulation sound surprisingly good. Once you can get past Bear’s tendency to hard-pan the vocals to one side, the sound is pristine. You might even try playing it back in mono.
Who better to lead this compilation than Bill Graham himself? His introduction (after announcing Kreutzmann as Bill Summers) leads into a Farfisa organ version of “Cold Rain and Snow”. This is one of the first documented performances of a song that would be played every year of the Dead’s career through ’95.
Next, enjoy an upbeat “I Know You Rider” with the soon-to-be abandoned “muddy water” verse and no “China Cat Sunflower”, as it had yet to be written. “Cardboard Cowboy (No Turn Left Unstoned)” is a rarity in the purest sense, with fewer than 4 recordings. Its sci-fi flavor is fun, and the Phil and Bobby shared lead vocal is uncommon in their catalog. “Alice D Millionaire” is another ultra-rare live track, and the recording quality found here is, believe it or not, among the best available. Check out Pigpen at his most radio-friendly!
The “Beat It On Down the Line” and “Cream Puff War” combo (consecutive performances from the same show) embody the pedal to the metal vibe of this era. The guitars are loud and the tempo changes lock in perfectly.
The “Who Cares Rap” can be hard to listen to. This was recorded during an acid test, as evidenced by Bobby’s rambling questions: “who is responsible for this recording? this microphone is quite a bit louder…”. Pigpen is seemingly the only sober person on hand, and starts to rap while an acid tester freaks out in the background. You can hear her yelling, and the reverberation of the hall adds to the haunting nature of this recording.
The next mini-set is loaded with rarities: “Stealin’”, “Hey Little One” and “I’m A Hog For You, Baby”. Each was performed a handful of times and only in ’66, save for one “Hog For You” appearance in ’71. “Hey Little One” is well-rehearsed and features a tremolo effect found few times in the Dead’s live repertoire. An early “Dancin’ In The Streets” scorches and leads into another acid test bit: the “Ice Cream Break”.
“You Don’t Have To Ask” is pure pop! Billy’s spastic kick drum is a little distracting, though. Two more mainstays are up next: “Minglewood Blues > Sittin’ On Top of the World”. On Minglewood, compare Pigpen’s Farfisa tone to the iconic B3 of the Brent era and it’s abundantly clear that ’66 is bubblegum pop. Likewise, Jerry’s uber-clean tone peaks naturally without amp distortion on “Sittin’ On Top of the World”.
Phil declares he “needs some Coke” before Pigpen and Jerry team up for a “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl” sandwich featuring another “only in ’66” song: “You Don’t Love Me”. I’m not sure the closing bit is truly Merry Go Round Broke Down, but that’s how it’s titled everywhere I look. Enjoy this peek inside the Dead’s first well-recorded year. We can look forward to more tapes finding the light of day, and a more complete picture of this era developing.
If you’re trying to fit all the music on one disc, feel free to cut the raps.
Setlist
“Introduction”
Cold Rain & Snow (11.19.66)
I Know You Rider (2.25.66)
No Turn Left Unstoned (Cardboard Cowboy) (7.17.66)
Mindbender (5.19.66)
Alice D. Millionaire (12.1.66)
Beat It On Down The Line (11.19.66)
Cream Puff War (11.19.66)
You See A Broken Heart (3.12.66)
“Who Cares” Rap
Stealin’ (7.29.66)
Hey Little One > (3.25.66)
I’m A Hog For You, Baby (3.25.66)
Dancin’ In The Streets (9.16.66)
“Ice Cream Break”
You Don’t Have To Ask (5.19.66)
Minglewood Blues (7.16.66)
Sittin’ On Top Of The World (7.16.66)
“I Need Some Coke”
Good Morning Little School Girl > (2.25.66)
You Don’t Love Me (2.25.66)
Good Morning Little School (2.25.66)
Merry Go Round Broke Down Tuning (11.29.66)
Running Time: 80:00
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