Sitting On Top Of The World is one of those songs that I wish the Dead had kept in their repertoire. They played it a total of 43 times (at least) between 1966 and 1972. This version is the last one they ever played.
Originally by the Mississippi Sheiks (who influenced the great Rory Gallagher among others. Rory even wrote a song called Mississippi Sheiks), this is two days in a row that mark old blues songs covered and re-arranged by the Dead. I just realized that as I was writing this. Anyway, it’s a fun song, in my opinion. I wouldn’t have minded a bit more jamming on it, but I’ll take what I can get.
Suggestions for other good versions? Leave them in the comments!
Keith is a bit buried in the mix, in my opinion, he’s mostly playing block chords and holding down the foundation. There a few spots where the band seems a bit off with their changes, but nothing excessively dramatic that takes away from this fun romp. Considering that the song didn’t get a lot of playtime in this period it seems excusable to me.
Here comes a true oldie. As I said of the last version, this never evolved. I love that it is a true throwback to 1967. Sure, Garcia’s guitar tone has been updated and the organ is now a Hammond rather than a Vox, but the parts have not really developed at all. As I also said before, Jer’s voice even retains a bit of that early “San Francisco Sound”. This take is a winner, without reservations. Once Jerry gets ahold of that last guitar solo, he does not want to let go. He just punishes the strings until they cry. It’s really fantastic. Pig rides the keys to end it.