The latest installment in the Grateful Dead‘s All The Years Live archive video series is available now on the band’s YouTube page. This entry highlights the Dead’s latter era cover of Willie Dixon‘s “Wang Dang Doodle” as performed at Shoreline Amphitheatre on May 11th, 1991, and showcases some excellent interplay between pianists Bruce Hornsby and Vince Welnick alongside guitarist Jerry Garcia.
The band’s performance that day looked like it took place on a chilly springtime afternoon, as evident by the coats and extra layers worn by each member. That didn’t stop Bob Weir from stepping up to the mix and heat things up with a high-energy vocal performance to match the song’s blues-inspired musical foundation.
Grateful Dead archivist and legacy manager David Lemieux notes in the video’s description,
‘Wang Dang Doodle’ was a welcome addition to the setlist as another blues song perfectly suited to Bob’s vocals and the Dead’s performing style. Although it appeared in a few places up and down the setlist, it was primarily played in the blues slot early in the first set, and Bruce Hornsby’s piano contribution were always perfectly placed.
Relive the Dead’s performance of “Wang Dang Doodle” on a chilly day in May 1991 below.
Grateful Dead – “Wang Dang Doodle” – 5/11/91
[Video: Grateful Dead]
Previous installments of the Dead’s ongoing All The Years Live series have included: