Big Boss Man is a loping blues number that harkens back to the Dead’s roots as a blues band. Featuring the indomitable spirit of Pigpen. Well, according to The Setlist Program, Big Boss Man was performed 75, including 15 versions in the post-Pigpen era. So the aforementioned spirit existed in most of them and was likely channeled for the rest. Pig’s last version was at the end of the Europe 72 tour.
I’ve mentioned elsewhere that one of the things I really like about Pigpen’s blues numbers is that he plays some harp on a number of them. Well this version of Big Boss Man sees Pigpen get at least two harp breaks so it’s pretty much gravy.
Thoughts on the song in general or this specific selection? Leave them in the comments.
(Note: This track appears on the bonus disc for this release. Just a heads up if you’re looking to procure a copy.)
Pigpen takes a mellow harmonica solo. His harp playing is one of the things that I miss the most after he was gone. I thought it added a sense of genuineness to the blues numbers. (Much more so than Bobby’s slide work in latter years.) This is followed by a Garcia solo that doesn’t set the world on fire, but plods nicely. Pig then takes another swipe at the harp and Billy is really plugging away. He throws in some double-stops and just sounds powerful yet clean. One more verse and Pig offers a “thank you” to the Eli crowd.
Come on, Pigpen, save us now. The deep blues kick in and the growling begins. Pig wants a little drink o’ whooskey and I think he’s going to get it. He blows the first solo on harp coolly unconcerned about flash. The nod goes to Jerry next, who messes with only a few notes at first, perhaps trying to match Pig’s vibe. Jer gets another round and warms it up only slightly this time. Then it’s another harp chorus and this one gets a little farther down the road and still somehow fails to achieve lift-off. The wrap up has slightly more juice but not enough to really qualify this as great.