I used to be a big fan of Cosmic Charlie. I still like the song, but not as much as I once did after listening to some of the versions from 1976. On at least one occasion Garcia remarked about the song that it was overly complex and too difficult to play live, which is why it was dropped from the repertoire (I’m paraphrasing here).
Revisiting the song after reading this description I completely understand what he’s talking about. What hooked me originally was the balls-to-the-wall intro, but it doesn’t sustain that intensity throughout. Nevertheless, the song does have some cool lyrics and the versions from the late 1960s are much better than the 1976 revival. I just heard this version for the first time when Dave’s Picks, Vol. 10 arrived. I had seen some people on the interwebs say good things about it so I gave it a close listen. I admit that there are some really interesting components to this version so I thought it warranted inclusion here.
I’d love to hear others’ thoughts on the song and any good versions that may be floating around out there.
You’ve heard a lot of versions of this song. This one finally seems to capture that loping feel you always wanted it to have. Not every nuance is in place of course. Still, it hits the target more than others I could name. The breakdown section in the middle is even pretty good. Oh, my. Jerry lights it up just after that and we are blazing home. Yes, if I had to pick one version of this song it would be this one. Nearing the end, the band threatens to go past it and is saved by the bell as the final figures are set up and executed. Wow. You know damn well they could have busted this out in the later years after the brief resurgence in ’76 and just didn’t try. There was one final tease on 2/27/94. Too little too late. Oh, well. Weir creaks out the very last lines with Garcia answering in the back. Then the outro is played with such delicacy you won’t believe it. Jer gets the last word in of course and the tiny crowd appreciates the effort. I wish I could have been there.