Not For Kids Only: Okee Dokee Brothers Cover Grateful Dead’s ‘Brokedown Palace’

When Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia teamed with mandolinist David Grisman in 1993 for their children’s album, Not For Kids Only, the tracklist did not include any original Garcia songs. The kids-oriented folk-duo The Okee Dokee Brothers today released their new studio album, Little Old You, and included a family-friendly cover of “Brokedown Palace” by the Grateful Dead.

While past “Adventures” albums were inspired by banjo player Joe Mailander and guitarist Justin Lansing’s explorations on outdoor excursions, Little Old You was recorded in a shed behind Lansing’s home. The follow-up to their 2023 concept album, Brambletown, presents 13 new original songs, alongside “Brokedown Palace.”

The Okee Dokee Brothers shared the following insight into Little Old You:

We’re going back to basics on our new album, Little Old You, with an acoustic backyard set from the heart. Banjo and guitar take the lead on these playful songs full of life and the mystery of the natural world. Recorded in the shed behind Justin’s house, it’s a big bucket full of sticks, mud and cosmic wonder. It’s a reminder that we are both silly and wise, young and old, and infinitely big in all our little ways.

In a departure from our “Adventures,” we’re paring down to the essentials of what makes our sound – memorable melodies, brotherly harmony, and thoughtful lyrics based in the nature of childhood. “You” are at the center of these songs. “You” are the apple of my eye, “You” came from out of the blue, and “You” are the great big universe. “You” bring out the child inside of us, and “You” show us how to be a free little bird. “You” are wildly funny and deeply wise. “You” have been in this world a long time, and “You” will be here for many years more.

Written by Garcia and Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter, “Brokedown Palace” appeared on the band’s 1970 album, American Beauty. Listen to The Okee Dokee Brothers’ take on the classic song below: