Top 20 Most Played iTunes
There isn't much Grateful Dead on this list, which is an indication of my fanaticism. I have 34 different versions of Dark Star, and I've listened to each one a few times. This is also true for The Other One (23 versions), Scarlet Begonias (14), Terrapin Station (13), and the sublime Mind Left Body Jam (12). The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and The Who are likewise mostly absent, a testament to the depth of their musical accomplishments.
If you ever wondered why I think Widespread Panic is the best rock band on the active touring circuit, or why I think that many of Jerry Garcia's finest performances didn't necessarily occur as he stood alongside his Grateful Dead brethren, I recommend you get your hands on the shows that appear on this list. They're out there, and they're free. Like the song once said, you just gotta poke around.
Speaking of Shakedown Street, one Dead song slips in: An outtake of France from the Shakedown sessions. It has a steady rhythm with solid Hunter lyrics, and Donna Jean actually sings in tune. However, the legend goes that cranky Jerry started bitching at Weir for writing "some fucking disco tune," stormed out the studio in a rage, and effectively closed the book on France. To the best of my knowledge, France is the band's lone studio effort that doesn't feature Garcia. Incidentally, the album version has lead guitar tracks played by the legendary Lowell George, who produced the album, which are absent from this outtake. Admittedly, the album version does have more of a disco feel than the unfinished cut, but I bet if he hadn't been such a dick about the whole thing, Garcia could have played it into a great rock song. As it stands, it's a pretty cool oddity.
Another thing: My Morning Jacket is becoming my new favorite band. Their sound is totally incredible. It is heavy, refreshing, haunting, poetic, harmonic; or, in a dream, Phil Spector produced a Led Zeppelin album with the Beach Boys on vocals. It's been a long time since a band blew me away like this--maybe 10 years ago with Panic. Request some My Morning Jacket for Christmas and you'll thank me.
Anyway, here's my top 20 most played list, arranged in no particular order:
1 x 1 - Widespread Panic - 03/28/97 Warfield Theater, S.F.
Lonesome & A Long Way from Home > Space > Lonesome & A Long Way from Home - Jerry Garcia Band - 03/18/78b Warner Theatre, D.C.
Jam > Rock - Widespread Panic - 09/14/91 Red Rocks
I'll Be With Thee - Jerry Garcia Band - 03/18/78b Warner Theatre, D.C.
I Don't Even Know Myself - The Who - Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 08/30/70
Disco - Widespread Panic - 05/10/97 Roy Wilkins Auditorium, St. Paul Mn.
Sweet Leaf - Widespread Panic - Jackassolantern: 10/27/00 U.N.O.
Promontory Rider - Jerry Garcia Band & Robert Hunter - 02/28/80b Wilkins Theater, Union N.J.
France - Grateful Dead - Shakedown Street Outtakes
Mission in the Rain - Jerry Garcia Band - 03/18/78b Warner Theater, D.C.
The Watcher - Dr. Dre - 2001
Sweet Thing - Van Morrison - Greatest Hits
Barstools & Dreamers > Thank You Falletinme Be Mice Elf Agin > Barstools & Dreamers - Widespread Panic - 05/07/97 Palace Theater, Louisville Ky.
In the Ghetto - Elvis Presley - #1 Hits
Russian Lullaby - Jerry Garcia & David Grisman - 12/08/91 Warfield Theater, S.F.
Long Black Veil - Johnny Cash - Classic Cash
Vacation - Widespread Panic - 05/08/97 Vic Theater, Chicago
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right - Bob Dylan - Greatest Hits
That's the Touch I Like - Legion of Mary (Jerry Garcia & Merl Saunders) - 05/21/75 Keystone Korner, Berkeley Ca.
Wondering - Widespread Panic - 04/27/97 Memorial Auditorium, Burlington Vt.
If you ever wondered why I think Widespread Panic is the best rock band on the active touring circuit, or why I think that many of Jerry Garcia's finest performances didn't necessarily occur as he stood alongside his Grateful Dead brethren, I recommend you get your hands on the shows that appear on this list. They're out there, and they're free. Like the song once said, you just gotta poke around.
Speaking of Shakedown Street, one Dead song slips in: An outtake of France from the Shakedown sessions. It has a steady rhythm with solid Hunter lyrics, and Donna Jean actually sings in tune. However, the legend goes that cranky Jerry started bitching at Weir for writing "some fucking disco tune," stormed out the studio in a rage, and effectively closed the book on France. To the best of my knowledge, France is the band's lone studio effort that doesn't feature Garcia. Incidentally, the album version has lead guitar tracks played by the legendary Lowell George, who produced the album, which are absent from this outtake. Admittedly, the album version does have more of a disco feel than the unfinished cut, but I bet if he hadn't been such a dick about the whole thing, Garcia could have played it into a great rock song. As it stands, it's a pretty cool oddity.
Another thing: My Morning Jacket is becoming my new favorite band. Their sound is totally incredible. It is heavy, refreshing, haunting, poetic, harmonic; or, in a dream, Phil Spector produced a Led Zeppelin album with the Beach Boys on vocals. It's been a long time since a band blew me away like this--maybe 10 years ago with Panic. Request some My Morning Jacket for Christmas and you'll thank me.
Anyway, here's my top 20 most played list, arranged in no particular order:
1 x 1 - Widespread Panic - 03/28/97 Warfield Theater, S.F.
Lonesome & A Long Way from Home > Space > Lonesome & A Long Way from Home - Jerry Garcia Band - 03/18/78b Warner Theatre, D.C.
Jam > Rock - Widespread Panic - 09/14/91 Red Rocks
I'll Be With Thee - Jerry Garcia Band - 03/18/78b Warner Theatre, D.C.
I Don't Even Know Myself - The Who - Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 08/30/70
Disco - Widespread Panic - 05/10/97 Roy Wilkins Auditorium, St. Paul Mn.
Sweet Leaf - Widespread Panic - Jackassolantern: 10/27/00 U.N.O.
Promontory Rider - Jerry Garcia Band & Robert Hunter - 02/28/80b Wilkins Theater, Union N.J.
France - Grateful Dead - Shakedown Street Outtakes
Mission in the Rain - Jerry Garcia Band - 03/18/78b Warner Theater, D.C.
The Watcher - Dr. Dre - 2001
Sweet Thing - Van Morrison - Greatest Hits
Barstools & Dreamers > Thank You Falletinme Be Mice Elf Agin > Barstools & Dreamers - Widespread Panic - 05/07/97 Palace Theater, Louisville Ky.
In the Ghetto - Elvis Presley - #1 Hits
Russian Lullaby - Jerry Garcia & David Grisman - 12/08/91 Warfield Theater, S.F.
Long Black Veil - Johnny Cash - Classic Cash
Vacation - Widespread Panic - 05/08/97 Vic Theater, Chicago
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right - Bob Dylan - Greatest Hits
That's the Touch I Like - Legion of Mary (Jerry Garcia & Merl Saunders) - 05/21/75 Keystone Korner, Berkeley Ca.
Wondering - Widespread Panic - 04/27/97 Memorial Auditorium, Burlington Vt.
posted by Pat at 4:15 PM
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