Whether folks like Brent or not I think it’s safe to say he brought a number of great covers to the band. Dear Mr. Fantasy is one of those. Originally a Traffic song the Dead did what they always do, and made it their own.

Actually, I can’t be sure who brought what songs to the table, but Brent’s B3 likely played a roll in what songs got covered, and it works so well with Dear Mr. Fantasy. Similarly, I don’t know for a fact that Brent brought in Hey Pocky Way, or Let The Good Times Roll, but his presence on those songs is unmistakeable. A lot of folks tend to not like Brent’s originals and I find them hit or miss (although I tend to like some of the songs others hate and vice versa), but I think he was an expert interpreter of other people’s work.

The segue into the song sounds a bit rough in spots and I think a few marks are missed, but once everyone settles in the groove is laid back and the B3 is driving the ship. Brent’s singing seems clearer here than in some other recordings. I don’t know if he just wasn’t straining as hard, but even when he goes to the upper register it doesn’t sound as raspy. The first instrumental break is very big sounding. Jerry takes a nice solo and that ever-present swirl of the B3 is like a favorite old t-shirt. The boys generate some nice peaks and valleys. Jerry doubles the vocals with Brent on the next time through the verse and he sounds a bit rough and they’re out of sync. Bobby comps some neat upper register chords while this is going on, providing a welcome distraction. Jerry then settles into another solo and makes Tiger growl and moan. He’s definitely reaching into his bag of blues licks. Almost abruptly however, the song melts away as they quickly shift gears into I Need A Miracle.

Complete Setlist 7/24/87

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