Bust Outs: Coverin’ The Dead

Phish – 8/9/1998 – Terrapin Station

A lot of roars from the Phish crowd have probably hit 100 dbs, but the one that went up when the Vermonters’ started to play Terrapin Station might have been the loudest. The massive cheer feels good every single time I listen to their version of the tune. Terrapin is probably one of the bigger bust outs in Phish’s long history. They dropped the song on the third anniversary of Jerry’s death. Also, maybe it’s just me, but I always sort of felt like several songs from this show were aimed at Jerry. Particularly the Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Brian Robert and Waste. I suppose it’s probably just knowing that the Terrapin is coming now, but these songs feel a bit more solemn and dedicated at this show.

Nevertheless, the Terrapin Station encore blew everyone away. Phish played it nice and slow, with Trey’s guitar tone really filling up the sound. This epic cover will not soon be forgotten.

Widespread Panic – 06/29/2005 – Smokestack Lightning & Cream Puff War

A group of auspicious Montanadians’ hit the jackpot at this 2005 show. Widespread Panic first threw out a taster with the quasi-cover, Smokestack Lighting, towards the end of the second set. While it’s really an old Howlin’ Wolf song, it’s a tune that was in the Grateful Dead rotation. Later though, Widespread Panic delivered the real thing and played Cream Puff War, a big Panic fan favorite, in the encore. More so than anybody else, Widespread Panic has a gift for melding any cover into their unique sound. Both of these songs prove my point. They sound literally nothing like the Grateful Dead, but they do sound damn good.

The Big Wu – 2/15/2003 – Man Smart, Women Smarter

While the new generations of jambands seem to be taking things in more complicated directions musically and technologically, something about The Big Wu feels more nostalgic. They tend to lay back and let things develop with a meandering, layered approach to improvisation. The result feels pretty reminiscent of the way the Grateful Dead did it. This is another quasi-cover as it’s really a Norman Span song, but it’s a tune we all know from the Dead. In fact this one’s one’s a personal favorite. Whenever I hear this tune I think about a very special bar and friendly neighbor to the Denver Fillmore, Sancho’s Broken Arrow. Man Smart, Women Smarter will always remind me of the good folks and fun times at the best bar ever created.

Trey Anastasio – 8/9/2005 – Ripple

Another homage to Sir Trips on the tenth anniversary of his passing, this time Trey played it all alone with just some beautiful backing vocals. Musically, it’s a bit hard not to wish this number was played with the full band, but Trey’s solo rendition and sincere words make for a really emotional tribute. Surely there were some tears shed on this particular evening, because this one tugs at the heart strings.

Mr. Blotto – 9/14/02 – St. Stephen -> Not Fade Away -> St. Stephen

Finally, while we’re one the subject of Dead covers, let’s take a lesson from the boys who do it better than anybody – in my humble opinion at least. Check out the Mr. Blotto gang as they knock the fucking cover off the ball, Roy Hobbs style, in this St. Stephen -> Not Fade Away -> St. Stephen short stack. I hope you know how lucky you are, Chicago.

That’s all we have for this week’s edition of Bust Outs, but we’ve got plenty of ground to cover in the future. What’s your favorite Dead cover? Let us know what we missed, by leaving a comment below…

 

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15 Responses

  1. Ryan Adams doing Bird Song is good stuff.

    I have a place in my heart for early Phish versions of Eyes of the World and Fire up the Mountain (or Fire Up the Ganja), but that Terrapin Station cover is the real deal – just the audience reaction makes it worthwhile.

    On a semi-related note, the first Phish boot I got with “terrapin” listed had me all excited to hear Terrapin Station. Woops. No offense Syd Barrett

  2. Tenor saxophonist David Murray put out “Dark Star,” a record of his interpretations of GD material – For better or worse…

    Also, Elvis Costello has been playing ‘Roses, Ship of Fools, and Bertha for years…

    Los Lobos still will play Bertha

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