Catfish John is one of those songs that I frequently find myself singing. Something about the melody got its hooks into me long ago and I just can’t shake it (not that I really want to…).

The Dead never played this song live but they did record a studio version, which was included in the expanded Terrapin Station a few years ago.

I also like this song because it’s really straightforward and easy for a strum-bum like me to play on guitar.

John Kahn is up front in the mix here and it’s awesome; a real throbbing bassline that flows nicely. Still the pace is a bit slow for my taste. Jerry is clearly not rushing the lyrics, and the Fender rhodes keys during the verse give way to sustained chords during the chorus – organ like, but not a B3. Jerry takes a solo dripping with envelope filter. The notes ooze out at their own pace, squawking and piercing the air in equal measures. After Jerry takes his guitar for a walk Ozzie Ahlers flips a switch and conjures up some tacky, in my opinion, synth sounds. It sounds a bit like a ray gun fight between Marvin the Martian and another alien life form. Jerry comes back with a straighter tone and serves up some tasty licks. His attack is very precise here and the tone cuts like a knife. I think this is what’s commonly known as ice picking. After an extended round of instrumentalization Jerry comes back to the mic and songs another verse/chorus set. He tags the last line twice and it seems there’s some confusion as to how to end the song, but everyone finds their way out in short order.

Complete Setlist 2/28/80

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