The Grateful Dead

9.30.1971
Rehearsal Sessions with Keith

BEWomen - Keith on piano. As with the Tennessee Jed from 9.29.1971, the band sounded very comfortable with this "new" tune. This was a solid version. Keith did not do anything too interesting.

PITB - Keith on piano. Still nascent sounding but jam was opening up into a more spacey sound. Keith pounding on chords a bit led to a harsh sound. This tune had a lot of maturing to do, and based on the 5.26.1972 version - just 8 months from this version, it would evolve rapidly.

Jack Straw - same new lyrics as with 9.29.1971. Keith still on organ. This version is cleaner and tighter than the 9.29.1971 version. The Bm A E jam also is tighter.

Deep Elem Blues - spliced into first verse. Keith very active on piano with bluesy sound. This version overall is a bit loose at the seams. Jerry's solo wasn't too interesting. Additionally, the timing was a bit off at times, and the vocals as well were off at times. Obviously, the band did not keep the electric version in their repertoire during this era. 

Big RR Blues - Keith actively on piano. Standard version, but band sounded pretty tight.

Promised Land - First a false start, than the whole song. Keith still on piano. Pretty tight version. The ending is messed up and abruptly stopped. The band rehearses the ending two times after this.

Attics Of My Life - outside of the harsh singing, this is a pretty standard version. The band was about done with this tune until 1989. Keith was on the piano for this tune.

Tennessee Jed - as with the 9.29.1971 version, this tune was very tight. Jerry clearly had been practicing this tune more than others. Keith was still on the funky organ, but he was not as rambunctious as he was on the 9.29.1971 version.

Me & Bobby McGee - Keith on piano. Solid version and tighter the 9.29.1971 version.
Rob Goetz ©