from a bootleg, Springfield Civic Center, Springfield, MA. 3-28-1973One of the first bands to really get my obsession with music going, the Grateful Dead surely need no introduction. I realize that they symbolize everything “hippie”-related in our culture, and this has made them a lightning rod for seething hatred over the years; if this pertains to you, my challenge is for you to attempt to compartmentalize those feelings and actually try giving this music a chance---come on, tens of millions of people can’t be wrong. The older I become the more meaningful and authentic their songs have gotten, tales of Americana both timeless and yet ancient. I own every single album of legitimately-released Dead music as well as around 30 or so booters, so picking a jumping off point wasn’t easy…and by choosing China>Rider, I am not saying these are the all time greatest Dead tunes, or even combo. It is one of my favorites however, and I cherish the times I’ve gotten to sing it aloud with the band & the rest of the audience at their shows. Robert Hunter’s lyrics never disappoint, and China Cat is full of wispy, psychedelic imagery spun around Jerry’s standard (excellent) noodling. For a long time, the band followed China Cat with a plethora of other tracks; most common was Doin’ That Rag. Then, on 9-30-1969, at the Café au Go-Go in the village in NYC, they followed China Cat with the traditional tune I Know You Rider; literally, almost without exception, they have never followed China Cat with any other song since. The transition between songs is picture perfect: in typical Dead fashion, if not for the manual separation, it would be hard to determine exactly where one song ends and the other begins. A shorter version of this dyad can be found on their Europe ’72 album, which I listened to a lot one semester long ago when I was busy flunking out of college; in fact, second only to Dark Side of the Moon probably--- there’s not much to do when you’re surrounded by cornfields except driving around, listening to music, & getting lost and very high. The Dead spawned a subculture unmatched in devotion and dedication, a true sociological phenomenon. “I know you rider, gonna miss me when I’m gone…” R.I.P. Captain Trips…maybe we’ll get to catch you at the cosmic shakedown!
