Grateful Dead – “Desolation Row” Live

Grateful Dead – “Desolation Row” Live | Society Of Rock Videos

I Look Out Tonight From Desolation Row!

“Desolation Row” was written by Bob Dylan. He originally recorded it for his sixth studio album “Highway 61 Revisited” which was released on August 30, 1965 under Columbia Records. The initial version was electric though the one included in the album was already in acoustic.

It has been noted for its length (11:21) and surreal lyrics in which Dylan weaves characters from history, fiction, the Bible and his own invention into a series of vignettes that suggest entropy and urban chaos.

Dylan has become such an amazing influence to the band and they had several cover versions of his songs. In fact, more than ten were a regular in the Dead’s concert repertoire. This track, however, has only been performed live for about 58 times.

But I think that it was something about the sheer volume of words, of references, of visuals and unseen plots and relationships contained within those words that lent the song a part of its meaning.

Listening to this version makes me want to build a time machine and go back just to watch this show!

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