My last look at Greatest Story Ever Told focused on it’s protean state in the Grateful Dead and it’s Pump Song origins. Now I’m opting to revisit the song right in the sweet spot of 1974.

Gone are the explicit attempts to replicate the sound of a pump, and we’ve got a more even sounding arrangement. As I note below Jerry’s wah-wah work is a true highlight. If one were to create a spectrum that classified songs as ballads on one end and rockers on the other, Greatest Story Ever Told would definitely be closer to the rocker side. I’d place it 75-80% of the way to total rocker. There’s still a bit of choppiness in the arrangement so it doesn’t have that driving beat. Just because a song doesn’t scream, “roll down your windows and crank up your radio” doesn’t mean it can’t rock though. That’s my point.

The Dead would only play Greatest Story Ever Told 5 more times after this show before putting it on the shelf until 1979. They played it once more with Keith and Donna in February, but starting in November of 1979, now featuring Brent in the keys seat, the song re-emerged and stayed in the repertoire until the end.

Thumping drums and bass quickly give way to Jerry’s wah-wah soaked lead parts. Man those sound awesome. Keith splashes in some electric piano on the right side as well. Jerry’s winding wah playing is mesmerizing. It’s kind of like watching a clown pull scarves out of its sleeve, it just keeps going, only this is much more pleasing and entertaining. A genuine instrumental has Jerry and Keith trading a few measures to start before the Big Man gets his footing and sets off to new regions of space and sound. Right as things are really cooking Donna comes in with one of her patented wails. Not the most appealing sound ever, but I’ve certainly heard worse from Ms. Donna Jean. The whole thing ends rather quickly and Garcia’s guitar just sort of plops down at the end. It’s kind of funny when you hear it and think about it.

Complete Setlist 6/16/74

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