On September 23 a man named Robert Hunter died at home in San Rafael, California. Young whippersnappers may not recognize the name, but if you've been even just a "fan" of the Grateful Dead, you know who he was. As Wikipedia notes, Hunter "was an American lyricist, singer-songwriter, translator, and poet, best known for his work with the Grateful Dead." He never performed with the original group, seldom performed or recorded on his own, and rarely gave interviews. Yet his songs for the band, with music mostly by Jerry Garcia, spanned a twenty-five year period and embodied in his often mysterious lyrics the crisp Americana of so much of the group's work.
The list of his iconic songs is lengthy and includes "Dark Star", "Ripple", "Truckin'", "China Cat Sunflower", and "Terrapin Station". He also collaborated with other other Dead members on such classics as "Sugar Magnolia" and "Box of Rain". Hunter also worked with numerous other musicians outside the Dead over the years, including Bruce Hornsby, Elvis Costello and Bob Dylan.
Another of Hunter's many songs for the Dead was one called "Alabama Getaway". You can read the lyrics below and David Dodd's commentary on them here. The song was first performed on November 4, 1979, at the Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island. The Dead played the song at 142 different shows, including first in the set list at Birmingham's Boutwell Auditorium on April 28, 1980. Recordings of a lot of those shows can be found at the Internet Archive. YouTube has several versions by the Dead as well as ones by John Mayer and Bob Dylan.
A number of obituaries and appreciations have appeared since Hunter died. I especially like this one in the New Yorker.
In addition to the song and various concerts in the state between 1977 and 1995 there is another connection with the Dead and Alabama. Singer Donna Jean Godchaux worked and toured with the band from 1972 until 1979. She was born in Florence and sang backup on recordings for many artists at Muscle Shoals before leaving for California in 1970. She has since returned to live in the state and continues to perform and tour with her band.
Another of Hunter's many songs for the Dead was one called "Alabama Getaway". You can read the lyrics below and David Dodd's commentary on them here. The song was first performed on November 4, 1979, at the Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island. The Dead played the song at 142 different shows, including first in the set list at Birmingham's Boutwell Auditorium on April 28, 1980. Recordings of a lot of those shows can be found at the Internet Archive. YouTube has several versions by the Dead as well as ones by John Mayer and Bob Dylan.
A number of obituaries and appreciations have appeared since Hunter died. I especially like this one in the New Yorker.
In addition to the song and various concerts in the state between 1977 and 1995 there is another connection with the Dead and Alabama. Singer Donna Jean Godchaux worked and toured with the band from 1972 until 1979. She was born in Florence and sang backup on recordings for many artists at Muscle Shoals before leaving for California in 1970. She has since returned to live in the state and continues to perform and tour with her band.
Robert Hunter in concert in NYC on October 10, 2013
Source: Wikipedia
"Alabama Getaway"
Words by Robert Hunter; music by Jerry Garcia
Copyright Ice Nine Publishing. Used by permission.
Words by Robert Hunter; music by Jerry Garcia
Copyright Ice Nine Publishing. Used by permission.
Thirty two teeth in a jawboneAlabama cryin for noneBefore I have to hit himI hope he's got the sense to run
Reason those poor girls love himPromise them anythingReason they believe himHe wears a big diamond ring
Alabama getawayAlabama getawayOnly way to please meTurn around and leaveand walk away
Majordomo Billy BojanglesSit down and have a drink with meWhat's this about AlabameKeeps comin back to me?
Heard your plea in the courthouseJurybox began to rock and riseForty-nine sister states all hadAlabama in their eyes
Alabama getawayAlabama getawayOnly way to please meTurn around and leaveand walk away
Why don't we just give Alabamarope enough to hang himself?Ain't no call to worry the juryHis kind takes care of itself
Twenty-third Psalm Majordomoreserve me a table for threein the Valley of the Shadowjust you, Alabama and me
Alabama getawayAlabama getawayOnly way to please meturn around and leaveand walk away
Here's the set list for the 1974 show in Atlanta when I saw the Dead play. Maria Muldaur was pretty good, too.
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