Finding an economical Pigpen song can be a challenge at times. Fortunately, the band played Chinatown Shuffle several times on the Europe ’72 tour and since that entire tour has been released there are a handful of versions (not to mention Mr. Charlies!).

When I was looking for a version of Chinatown Shuffle for today I originally settled on the one from the tour opener in London, but between the time that I set that version aside and got around to writing this I listened to the entire Frankfurt show and wouldn’t you know it if Chinatown Shuffle actually stood out for me. To say it was unexpected would be an understatement, but I quickly went and swapped out the London version for this one.

Did you know that there were only 27 performances of Chinatown Shuffle, and 20 of those were on the Europe ’72 tour? This was the fate of several of Pigpen’s last crop of tunes that he introduced to the band though.

Now, a bit of juvenile humor here, but every time I hear the line “If you fall in my direction…” it sounds a lot like “If you fart in my direction…” Maybe it’s just me, but I get a chuckle every time I hear it, even though I know what the words actually are.

There’s not much of an intro on this blues number. Pigpen kicks right into the verse. Jerry plays some fine runs during the chorus section. Phil offers some counterpoint during Jerry’s solo, which adds a new dimension. Keith really steps out for the second half of the solo section and Jerry cedes the floor to him to tickle those ivories. The song is only 2:30 long, so quite short by Dead standards, but Jerry, Phil, and Keith all manage to get some fine playing on tape during those precious few seconds.

Complete Setlist 4/26/72