A little over forty years ago, the Grateful Dead appeared at the Jai Alai Fronton in Miami, Florida. They were going through a brief phase where they only had one drummer because Mickey Hart had suffered some kind of mental breakdown and was taking some time off. It gave them a unique sound which, while not better exactly, has lasted the test of time as awesome in its own right. A seasoned ear can pinpoint a show from this era within seconds. It was part of the spaciest era of the Dead when they were transforming from an “Acid Band” into a more country/rock band focused on Western-themed Americana music. It was during this period that John Barlow and Bob Weir introduced the song Black-Throated Wind which evoked life on the road in the middle of the country. It was a flawed song in many ways, which is why they didn’t perform it for very long. But I always liked listening to it on the tapes from 1974. Since it’s Bob Weir’s 67th birthday, I thought I would share a version of one my favorite songs of his.
That’s not my favorite version. My favorite version is from November 1972 at the Hofheinz Pavilion in Houston, Texas. That version has both drummers and has a different feel.
On a side note, Bob Weir hasn’t been feeling well and recently cancelled a tour for undisclosed reasons. I hope he is doing better and is enjoying his birthday.
