Hear Jerry Garcia & David Grisman’s ‘Friend Of The Devil’ From ‘Bare Bones’ Collection
Listen to the unadorned version of the Grateful Dead classic recorded by Garcia and Dawg.
By Scott Bernstein Nov 19, 2024 • 8:35 am PST
A stripped-down recording of Jerry Garcia and David Grisman performing the Grateful Dead classic “Friend Of The Devil” has been released. The track appears on Bare Bones: Volume II – Other Tunes & Arrangements, which is due on CD and vinyl on December 13 via Acoustic Disc.
Bare Bones: Volume II – Other Tunes & Arrangements is the second of three Bare Bones - The Duo Recordings compilations recorded at Grisman’s Dawg Studios between 1990 and 1993. The 16-track collection consists of unreleased original recorded versions of songs that were staples of the Garcia/Grisman live repertoire such as “Grateful Dawg,” “Dawg’s Waltz” and “Arabia” in addition to “Friend Of The Devil.”
All told, Bare Bones – The Duo Recordings features 51 tracks with original, unembellished master recordings, alternate takes, and the first performances of classic tunes the duo recorded among them. All three installments — Volume I – Master Takes, Volume II – Other Tunes & Arrangements and Volume III – Alternate Takes are available for purchase digitally through Acoustic Disc’s website.
“Friend Of The Devil” was written by Jerry Garcia, Robert Hunter and John Dawson. The song was debuted live by the Grateful Dead in March 1970 and was featured on the band’s American Beauty studio album the same year.
Jerry Garcia and David Grisman added “Friend Of The Devil” to their live repertoire and recorded a take on the song for their 1991 eponymous studio album. Listen to the Bare Bones version of “Friend Of The Devil” below:
