Well, we’ve reached the end of Dead week around here having covered a decent amount of ground. We hope you’ve enjoyed the clips we dug up as we look forward to the announcement of next year’s reunion. We’ve touched on psychedelia, roots/Americana, their ’70s foray into synth-rock and a classic blues cover, but we seemed to be ignoring a genre that Jerry excelled at – the ballads. Jerry just seemed to have a knack for singing the slow stuff and selling it – you really could feel the emotions of Robert Hunter’s lyrics coming through his voice.

To me the song that exemplified it at its best was Wharf Rat – its got a heartbreaking story and a huge crescendo that often lead to some great exploratory jams. Let’s check out this version from the monster third set of their NYE performance at the Closing of the Winterland in 1978…

• Previously On HT’s Playin’ Dead: Pt. 1, Pt. 2, Pt. 3. Pt. 4

More Jerry Ballads:

• Stella Blue – January 12, 1990 – Oakland Coliseum
• Morning Dew – March 24, 1986
• Ship Of Fools – Hampton, VA 1987

Jeffrey Greenblatt

Jeff joined the Hidden Track team full-time in 2008 and helps guide the site in his role as Managing Editor and Social Media Coordinator. Each week Jeff pens Pullin' 'Tubes, Tour Dates and Bloggy Goodness in addition to features, video posts and more. Jeff is a graduate of The George Washington University ('98), with a degree in Journalism, and has worked in the media and technology industry for the likes of MTV, VH1, A&E and Joost.

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