Warren Haynes Shares Playlist Of His Favorite Jerry Garcia Songs [Listen]

Guitarist Warren Haynes continues to honor the music of the Grateful Dead with his Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebrations, performing Garcia’s music not only with orchestras, but also with his own guitar, Wolf. With the exciting announcement yesterday that Melvin Seals, a longtime member of the JGB, would join Haynes for an upcoming Symphonic Celebration on Garcia’s birthday at Red Rocks, fans could not be more excited for these upcoming shows.

To get his fans in a Grateful mood, Haynes shared a playlist chock full of his favorite Garcia songs. Check out the playlist, and read his thoughts on each and every track below, courtesy of the Warren Haynes website.

Warren Haynes’ Favorite Grateful Dead Songs

TERRAPIN STATION – The quintessential Grateful Dead “time capsule” song.

CHINA DOLL – I much prefer “live” versions to the studio version. Beautiful haunting melody and lyrics.

CRAZY FINGERS – I love the way the music and melody, which sound nothing like traditional reggae music, are superimposed over the reggae beat. Great chord changes.

COMES A TIME – I always loved the Garcia/Hunter ballads. Gave Jerry plenty of space to emote in. His voice really delivers the emotion of the lyric and melody.

BROKEDOWN PALACE – Another beautiful ballad with a timeless lyric and music that spans back through the history of American music.

SHAKEDOWN STREET – I prefer the slower, funkier “live” versions to the studio version but it’s a classic part of the Dead repertoire.

UNCLE JOHN’S BAND – One of Hunter’s best lyrics – really paints a picture of a beautiful, fictitious story.

HELP ON THE WAY > SLIPKNOT – Classic 1, 2 punch – fans hate to hear them separated, but either on it’s own is great. Cool juxtaposition of a straight ahead, R&B influenced, tune in to a very complex instrumental that’s influenced by jazz and classical music.

RIPPLE – The simplest, but perfect, melody – also one of Hunter’s best lyrics. The audience has to sing along-they have no choice.

BLUES FOR ALLAH – Uniquely beautiful piece of music.

KING SOLOMON’S MARBLES – Another complex instrumental very influenced by jazz and jazz fusion.

STELLA BLUE – Another timeless ballad composed in a way that shows influences from decades before the birth of Rock and Roll.

WHARF RAT – One of those “slow-burn” Dead tunes that signifies their unique, instantly identifiable sound. Great song but also a great vehicle for improvisation.

SCARLET BEGONIAS > FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN – Another pair of classics that the audience loves to hear together, but are equally powerful apart.