Distilling the musical legacy of the Grateful Dead into one night is no small feat, and into three hours is an even taller order. But Don Was — longtime president of Blue Note Records, respected multi-instrumentalist and musical director for the Jan. 31 MusiCares Persons of the Year event — was up to the task, curating an inspired lineup of devotees, including Billy Strings, The War on Drugs, Norah Jones, Dwight Yoakam, Maren Morris, Noah Kahan, and Wynonna Judd, along with longtime collaborators like John Mayer, Bruce Hornsby, and Was himself, who’s a touring member of Bob Weir’s Wolf Bros playing his signature upright bass.
Set List Selection Process
As Was tells it, the set list came together organically, with the artists choosing which songs to play. The end result ran the gamut from the popular (“Truckin’,” performed by Yoakam) to the ambitious (“Terrapin Station” played by Mayer) to the essential (“Samson & Delilah” by War and Treaty with Mick Fleetwood and Stewart Copeland, “Friend of the Devil” by Noah Kahan with Bela Fleck).
Artist Affinity for Songs
The Hollywood Reporter caught up with Was after the Grammys, where Weir enthusiastically chatted with Taylor Swift as Beyoncé sat feet away, and where Sierra Ferrell, who appeared at MusiCares, swept the Americana awards earlier in the day.
Set List Curation
How do you even start to conceive of a set list with a catalog as deep as the Grateful Dead?
I think you have to be sensitive to the artists who are going to sing the songs. We try to get them to choose a song that they feel an affinity for. And if they’re stumped, we could make suggestions. But the difference between doing a karaoke version of a Grateful Dead show and doing something with soul and feeling is to allow the artist to choose a song they can sink their teeth into and find something new.
Artistic Interpretation
Who was a good example of that?
Bruce Hornsby I thought reinvented “Standing on the Moon” and found an emotional nuance in that song that I didn’t know existed — and I play it every four or five shows with Weir. Dwight Yoakam turned “Truckin’” into a Texas shuffle that was such a deep groove, and it gave it a whole new flavor. And I thought Mayer brought a completely unique approach to “Terrapin Station.” He found another door into the song that was different and further expanded the beauty of the compositions.
Artist Lineup and Performance Highlights
It’s a combination of things. A lot of artists reached out and wanted to be a part of it because they love the Dead. Like Billy Strings is a natural heir to that kind of music. But the cool thing about MusiCares is that you get unlikely actors who come shine a whole new light on the songs. Like War & Treaty, you wouldn’t think of them as Deadheads, but what they did with “Samson and Delilah” was awesome.
Personal Highlights
Some of my personal highlights were The War on Drugs, Vampire Weekend, and Sierra Ferrell. This is a concert that should live on a streamer so people outside of the room can enjoy it. Agree?
Well, they’re all shot and recorded on multi-track, I think it’s just getting clearances from everybody. Sometimes people don’t give clearances for it, but every one of them I’ve done — Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Neil Diamond, and Fleetwood Mac — was shot to be a TV show.
Or at the very least, an album?
Yeah, I agree with you.
Emotional Connection to Music
What is the appeal of these songs and the Dead’s very much alive catalog?
They’re highly impressionistic, especially Robert Hunter’s lyrics. If you’re going to play to stadiums full of people, everyone comes in with their own personal set of neurosis and emotions. And to be able to bring 80,000 people together with a song, and speak to people who each assigned a different meaning to the song, that is great poetry at the core.
Everyone’s got a certain line in a certain song that means more to them or brings some comfort. We do “Ripple” every night as a finale, and I get choked up every time looking at people in the front row crying because the song means so much to them, hugging their friends and everything. The response of the audience to that song is so deep and intense. It’s brilliant.
Norah Jones performs “Ripple.”
FAQs
Q: Were all the classic fan favorites represented in the set list?
A: There was a lot to choose from, and only 15 songs could be included in the show. Despite that, the audience remained engaged and even danced through the Dead & Co. set.
Q: What happened to Dave Matthews, who was originally on the bill?
A: Dave Matthews was set to perform “Sugaree” acoustically with Mayer but had to cancel due to an illness in the family.
Q: Were there any technical hiccups during the event?
A: There was a technical problem with John’s acoustic guitar during “Terrapin,” causing a brief delay. However, the unplanned pause led to a unique performance that surprised everyone.
Q: What were some standout moments for Was during the night?
A: Was particularly enjoyed the performances of “Terrapin,” “Ripple” with Norah Jones, “Must Have Been the Roses” by Sierra Ferrell and Lukas Nelson, and Dwight Yoakam’s reinvention of “Truckin’.”
Sierra Ferrell and Lukas Nelson perform “It Must Have Been the Roses.”
Conclusion
The MusiCares Grateful Dead Persons of the Year event was a testament to the enduring legacy of the band and the emotional connection fans have with their music. The diverse lineup of artists brought new interpretations to classic songs, creating a memorable night for all involved.
Credit: www.hollywoodreporter.com
