![]() ![]() Maybe the fact that it wasn’t an automatic is what made the pairing so special to me. You’re right that Bertha and GSET weren’t combined with as much regularity as Scrarlet>Fire or China>Rider but they were played together many, many times throughout their career and sometimes inversed. I just happen to be listening to 11-11-73 in anticipation of DaP13 coming tomorrow and decided to post here since that fantastic show opens with a hot Promised>Bertha>GSET. Also, those NFA>GDTRFB>NFAs from the early 70s are dynamite–I love Pigpen’s contributions on those NFAs. Another combo that I think would appeal to non Deadheads would be Bertha>GSET–two high energy songs that don’t go too far out there for the beginner. This one probably is at the top for two reasons, the seamless transition and because it was so good during many different eras. I like your question, Lunchbox, about GD combos. I know a lot of fans prefer Jerry’s voice in the pre-Persian days but that’s not quite what I mean–I mean that by ’89/’90 their singing “technique,” if that’s the right term, was much better, Jerry, Bob and Phil (although I don’t think Phil sings on this one in the later years). ![]() I agree that the China>Rider on Without a Net is outstanding and I think it really illustrates how much better the boys got at singing by that time. For me the best versions of this combo are from late ’, but these songs are well played throughout the Dead’s history. ![]() Of course it is, it’s a China>Rider from 1974. Before long there a quick run through the Mind Left Body jam, and Jerry, almost intuiting the train analogy plays the melody to “I’ve Been Working On The Railroad” before they tag the Mind Left Body progression and work their way into I Know You Rider. What might be another signal to move on is instead another jumping off point. Around the 8 minute mark the guitars scream and moan, almost sounding like a locomotive announcing its arrival. A familiar China Cat theme emerges at 5:45 but instead of functioning as a culmination it simply serves as a launching pad for extending the jam further. No one is re-inventing the wheel here, but the execution is beautiful and the playing inventive and inspired. ![]() It’s easy to hear why these ’74 China/Riders are so revered and appreciated. The band works its way through the changes and everything is solid and well-played. He really is a tour de force back there, and you can almost feel him taking the rest of the band by the scruff of the neck and pointing them in the direction he wants to go. Billy is pretty high in the mix and it’s easy to get a greater appreciation for the innovation he brings to this band. Keith is playing an electric piano of some sort – my knowledge of his gear is admittedly poor. While Bobby kicks this one off with his signature riff, Phil adds some nice little bass fills and Billy’s tubs sound mighty nice. I probably should have included the China/Rider from that set at some point, but oh well. Of course you can always just go with Without A Net as well since it’s got very nice versions of China/Rider and Help/Slip/Frank, not to mention the epic Branford Eyes. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of them, but China/Rider might be the best for introductory purposes. If you were introducing someone to the Grateful Dead would you start with China/Rider? Or be a bit more brave and go for the Scarlet/Fire, Estimated/Eyes, or Help/Slip/Frank? Are there any other consistent combos that I’m missing? Those are the biggies as far as I’m concerned. China Cat is catchy, upbeat, and fun, and I Know You Rider is an instant singalong. If China Cat Sunflower is your favorite section of this combo than this is definitely a version worth hearing.Īs far as the signature song combos China Cat Sunflower/I Know You Rider may be the most accessible to a broad audience. This China Cat clocks in at 10 minutes and a mere four and change for Rider. It seems China Cat is usually in the 6-8 minute range, and Rider is around 5-6 minutes. This is an interesting version because the China Cat is much longer than usual. At the same time have the cream of the crop included isn’t a bad thing. On one level 1974 China/Riders are a no-brainer, and it would have been better to have a bit broader representation. ![]()
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