This 1995 Shanachie Records compilation of the original versions of seventeen of the Grateful Dead's best-known cover songs is a must-have for anybody remotely interested in the Dead's phenomenal capacity for absorbing and adopting (cannibalizing, if you will) myriad musical influences. Say what you will about what they did with or to the originals, but over the course of their 30-year career the Dead covered tunes from pretty much every American music style, of which this album is an awesome sampling. I got my copy in a care package from my mom, who was psyched to see so many of her old favorites. Cover art by R. Crumb.
Track List
- Obray Ramsey, Rain and Snow (called Cold Rain and Snow on the Dead's self-titled debut album)
- Merle Haggard, Mama Tried
- Dixie Cups, Iko Iko
- Rev. Gary Davis, Samson and Delilah
- Cannon's Jug Stompers, Big Railroad Blues
- Marty Robbins, El Paso
- Bob Dylan, It's All Over Now, Baby Blue
- Charlie Patton, Spoonful
- Howlin' Wolf, The Red Rooster
- Chuck Berry, The Promised Land
- Henry Thomas, Don't Ease Me In
- Jimmy Reed, Big Boss Man
- Bobby "Blue" Bland, Turn On Your Love Light
- Bonnie Dobson, Morning Dew
- Buddy Holly, Not Fade Away
- Woody Guthrie, Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
- The Pindar Family w/Joseph Spence, I Bid You Good Night