Covers: Big Railroad Blues

Cannon’s Jug Stompers from Memphis recorded the original version on January 30, 1928.

The Grateful Dead, which had jug band roots, released a live version in 1971. It’s electric, louder and somewhat faster but respects the original recording.  They also played it on their 1972 tour of Europe.  Here is one example from 1972 (Copenhagen, April 17, 1972).  I prefer the 1972 version because of the addition of the piano.  There are other Grateful Dead versions on YouTube.

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