Smokestack Lightnin’ (Live at the Fillmore East 2/13/70) – The Grateful Dead

I have been hesitant to post any Dead on the blog, but I’ve been on a kick for the past week or so. (My Deadheadiness comes and goes throughout each year.) My hesitation typically comes from the length of a lot of their stuff and understanding that it can be really hard to get into these guys. I was on the edge of being anti-Dead for a while because I found them boring, and I still totally understand those who do. I eventually spent some time in Colorado and was introduced to The Pizza Tapes, a recording that Jerry Garcia had done featuring some incredible acoustic work and very mellow covers. More on that tomorrow.

“Smokestack Lightnin’” is one of the most iconic blues songs ever, and the Dead really have a great rendition, in particular, Pigpen‘s (Ron McKernan) vocals on the track are powerful and do the song great justice. His harmonic playing throughout is also really damn fun to listen to. I don’t expect anybody to listen to the full 18 minutes but at least give the first 3 or 4 a shot! Pretty cool stuff. This era of the group was much more blues and folk focused, but they were certainly beginning to get into the real psychedelic jams that would become synonymous with the Dead.

It’s important to give credit to Mr. Howlin’ Wolf, who’s original version of this song reigns supreme. His voice makes the song in the same way Muddy Waters makes “Mannish Boy“. Anything else is a mere tribute.

Audio – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxvUwCf-rLI

Original – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMUt8KdDtTY