New:
An essay
about the Grateful Dead's interpretation of Freddie King's blues
classic "Hide
Away."
The
Golden Road CD reviews
Below are my reviews of the
individual discs in the Golden Road box set. They should be
available individually in the not to distant future. Until then I suggest buying the box set or waiting.
Birth
of the Dead
The Grateful Dead
Anthem of the Sun
Aoxomoxoa
Live Dead
Workingman's Dead
American Beauty
Skull and Roses
Europe 72
The History of the Grateful Dead Vol. 1 (Bear's Choice)
Birth of the Dead
The Grateful Dead's cd Birth of the Dead was released in the 12 cd Warner Brother reissue
The Golden Road. It consists of two discs, one studio and
one live. These studio tracks were recorded before they used the
name The Grateful Dead. Then, they called themselves The Warlocks,
Emergency Crew, etc. The CD consists of the tracks from their Autumn,
Scorpio, and Hendricks sessions; all previously unreleased.
The studio sessions are a great historical introduction to the band.
My favorite song on the Studio Side is the blues based "Tastebud";
there are two versions of it, one with vocals and one
without. The song features PigPen playing some nice
piano, and is quite a contrast to the organ tones he showers on the
song "Stealin'." The Autumn sessions include an early
brief version of "Caution."
The second disc of Birth of the Dead
features live performances from various dates recorded mostly in
July 1966 from various venues. The selected tracks provide a snapshot of the Grateful Dead at this
early stage of their
career.
Birth of the Dead The
Live Side features a pretty good version of "Viola Lee
Blues," a song that was an early jamming vehicle for the
band. An early version of Bob Dylan's "Baby Blue" is
included. I much prefer the slowed down renditions that would be adopted in later
years. The 1966 style has nowhere near the emotion or dynamics
that make Jerry's interpretation of Dylan's songs special.
Certainly 1965 and 1966 are not my favorite years of Grateful Dead
music. And I would not have become a fan if they didn't
transition their sound as they did. Still, this two disc release is superbly
done capturing the early studio sessions and providing a
superb overview of the band live in 1966. Except for the most
die hard fans, Birth of the Dead is a comprehensive
representation of the period. I do not plan to sell my copy at the
local used music shop. At the same time, I do not expect to play it
frequently. Birth of the Dead is nice to own for historical
purposes, but is not an essential CD.
Grade - B
-
More about Birth
of the Dead |order from Amazon
The Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead's first album is an eclectic
mixture of cover songs and two originals. Much of the
material were staples of the band throughout their 30 year career such as, "Beat It On Down The Line," "Cold Rain and Snow," "Minglewood Blues," and the epic "Morning Dew."
Most of the songs were reworked into better renditions later in their career. Easily the best song
from the Grateful Dead's self titled album is the cover version of
Lewis' "Viola Lee Blues."
The bonus material is superb and gives an
album that otherwise has limited appeal worthy consideration.
The live version of "Viola Lee Blues" from September 3,
1967, is one of the best versions of the song I've heard. It is from
the same venue as the famous 30 + minute version of "In the
Midnight Hour," that is available on Fallout
From the Phil Zone. Compare this version of "Viola
Lee Blues" with the version that is included
on the Birth of the Dead album and you can appreciate how fast the
band developed. There are five additional
studio tracks that include a killer version Reverend Gary Davis' "Death
Don't Have No Mercy."
The bonus material complements the
original album exquisitely and makes the CD warrant much consideration.
An argument could be made that the live version of "Viola Lee
Blues" makes the CD worth owning leaving the other fourteen
tracks as a bonus. by Barry
Small
©
Original Album - C
Bonus Material - B+
Final Grade -
B
More about The
Grateful Dead / order from Amazon
Anthem of the Sun
Anthem of the Sun shows the Grateful Dead vastly improved from their first album in
both in their development as musicians and
songwriters. As far as personnel they added a second
drummer to the mix, Mickey Hart. Interesting, this album is a
compilation of different live performances
and studio tracks meshed together.
Where their first album
is primarily cover
versions Anthem of the Sun is all original material. The compositions like "New Potato Caboose," "Alligator" and the "Cryptical Envelopment" suite
are complex and open ending. The songs were perfect for in concert improvisation, which is
the Grateful Dead's forte.
Overall the tone of Anthem of the Sun is psychedelic and is often
referred to as primal Dead.
Certainly the 1968 era of the Dead has
it's fan base. However, it is probable that if the Grateful
Dead did not change their tone from a psychedelic and blues they would have been another
forgotten 1960's San Francisco band.
The bonus material included on Anthem of
the Sun is a perfect complement not only to this release, but to their double
live CD Two From the
Vault. The additions were recorded at the same venue one a day
apart from this classic release.
The 30 minutes of "Alligator" > "Caution (Do not
Stop on Tracks)" is one of the best versions of the song.
For fans of Primal Dead, Anthem of the
Sun is a nice addition to a collection. For fans of the song
"Alligator" this album is essential. by Barry
Small
©
Original Album - C +
Bonus Material - A
Final Grade -
B
More about Anthem
of the Sun / order from Amazon
Aoxomoxoa
This album like the two that preceded it is very psychedelic and late 1960's sounding. Though, unlike
Anthem of the Sun that focused heavily upon jamming, these compositions are more song oriented. Noteworthy is that
they were all written by Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter with
the exception of bassist Phil Lesh assisting on "St. Stephen."
From this album only "China Cat Sunflower" survived
through the years; originally this song frequently appeared in their
concerts between "Dark Star" and "The
Eleven."
This CD includes "St. Stephen," the song that smartly replaced
"China Cat Sunflower" as their live staple to serve as the filling between the "Dark Star" and "The Eleven."
It is a powerful piece of music rhythmically which was dropped from
the repertoire shortly after Keith Godchaux joined the band. It did appear
on rare occasions in the late 1970's and early '80's, but sounded best in
the band's early years.
Several of the shorter songs are more folk oriented and are a
prelude as to the direction the band was evolving towards; as would be heard
in their next two studio albums.
The bonus material is a treasure. It
includes three separate studio jams recorded on 8/13/68. These
special compositions include the progressive "Clementine
Jam," the bluesy "Nobody's Fault Jam," and the psychedelic
"The Eleven Jam."
The additions to Aoxomoxoa are
one
of a kind that make this album more than worthy of consideration. It is
noteworthy to mention the outstanding versions of many of these songs
on Dick's Picks 26.
Original Album - C +
Bonus Material - A
Final Grade -
B
More about Aoxomoxoa
/ order from Amazon
Live
Dead
What
style of music is this, blues, psychedelic, exploratory, rock,
improvisational, or experimental?
Perhaps it is a combination of all the above.
Live Dead is a perfect representation of the band in
early 1969. The songs from Live Dead are from Jan 26, Feb.
27, and Mar. 2, 1969. While taken from different concerts, the songs are sequenced
to make it seem like it is all from one show; it certainly sounds
like it.
The
"Dark Star" is quite intense, and is one of the best early
versions of it, and arguably the finest. It segues into “St. Stephen” and it
really builds up energy showing the bands raw power. Another high
moment of the release is "The Eleven" where they continue
playing with brute force intertwined with lots of heavy
improvisation.
After
the intensity of the first three songs I sure needed something
easier and friendly. Just what the doctor ordered, a rhythm and
blues standard "Turn on Your Lovelight." Typical of the
times, this rendition gets the Pig Pen rap showcase.
Still to come is another blues song Reverend Gary Davis’,
"Death Don't Have No Mercy," that is sung by Jerry Garcia
and features lightning fast lead guitar playing.
Live Dead is rounded out with "Feedback",
and an early immature rendition of "We Bid You Good Night"
Certainly
both the sound quality and performances on Live Dead is top
notch. If you like the Grateful Dead you need
this CD.
Included as bonus material with The Golden Road reissue is the
single version of "Dark Star" and a Radio spot.
Because the bonus material is minimal I did not grade it, though it
is nice.
Original Album - A +
Bonus Material - n/a
Final Grade -
A +
More
about Live Dead / order
from Amazon
Workingman Dead
Workingman's Dead is one the finest studio
albums that the Grateful Dead ever recorded. They began to lose
some of
their psychedelic tone on this album. Incredibly, Workingman's
Dead perfectly blends blues, folk, country, and rock in a very
unique way.
This album includes eight superb compositions. Like Aoxomoxoa, the songs were mostly written by Garcia
and Hunter. Several songs make great campfire sing a long such as "Uncle Johns Band" and "Black Peter."
Phil Lesh helped pen the Country flavored "Cumberland
Blues," a song which showed their efforts to focus on
vocal harmonies.
The bonus tracks included on
Workingman's
Dead may not be the best from the Golden Road
box set, but
they are my favorite. The
rendition of "Dire Wolf" is interesting to hear; it was
the fifth time that it was performed and it features Bob Weir rather
than Jerry Garcia on lead vocals. The rendition of "Black Peter" is
sensational. At this
stage of the songs development it does not have the dynamics that
evolved through the years, but it drips with emotion, energy, and a
blazing guitar solo. The following song, Robert Hunter's "Easy Wind," featuring Pig Pen on
vocals, is the best track on the CD. During the instrumental
the band take their time building their peak that ends with
explosive authority, yeah.
The Grateful Dead's CD Workingman's
Dead is an essential release. My only negative criticism
is including the single version of
"Truckin'" as track 11 which is right after the
original albums version. Two versions of the same song can be redundant if you are not
close to the remote control. It would have fit much better as either
the last song on the disc or as a hidden track.
Original Album - A -
Bonus Material - A
Final Grade -
A
More about Workingman's
Dead / order from Amazon
American Beauty
American Beauty is the third consecutive album dominated by Garcia
and Hunter compositions. There were however several key
contributions from other band members such as Lesh on "Box of Rain," from Weir
on "Sugar Magnolia," and from PigPen on
"Operator." This album was released only six months
after Workingman's Dead and has similar tone, though,
it has less of a blues influence and more of a country and vocal
emphasis. It also features Jerry Garcia on pedal steel guitar on several
tracks and mandolin extraordinaire, David Grisman helps out on
"Ripple" and "Friend of the Devil."
The bonus material includes several rare
and beautifully played live versions of these classics songs in their infancy. There
are also single versions of "Truckin'" and
"Ripple (hidden track)."
American Beauty was an essential
album before the bonus tracks. With the addition of six
additional songs the recommendation is that much stronger.
Original Album - A
Bonus Material - A
Final Grade -
A
More about American
Beauty / order from Amazon
Skull and Roses
The
Grateful Dead’s Skull and Roses CD captures the bands sound
as they were transitioning from their early psychedelic/blues sound
to a rock/country/folk tone. While
the music was recorded live it primarily features material that had not yet
been released, with the exception of “The Other One.” The album
was released in 1971 shortly after the songs were performed.
Because the band didn't record any studio albums for a
number of years at this point, this served as a substitute for a studio
album. The biggest surprise on Skull and Roses is that it
includes only one song that Pig Pen takes the lead on, Willie
Dixon’s “Big Boss Man.”
Predictably,
the performances include both original and cover songs and it is
split between short songs and jamming songs.
My favorite part of this CD are the versions “Wharf Rat”
and “Not Fade Away” > “Going Down The Road Feeling Bad”
> “Not Fade Away,” a staple for the band in 1971. Others may
prefer the spacey jamming in, “The Other One.”
As
for the short songs you get a mix of rock, “Bertha” and
“Johnny B. Goode,” country, “Mama Tried,” Me and Bobby
McGee,” and “Me and My Uncle,” and blues, “Big Boss Man”
and “Big Railroad Blues.”
The wasn't much room for bonus tracks.
They did manage to include two rare cover versions from their April 6
performance at the Manhattan Center. First up is one of
only two performance of "Oh, Boy!." Second is "I'm a Hog for
You" a song that hadn't been performed since 1966.
All
in all Skull and Roses is a very good representation of the
band during 1971 and a good value as it is packed with music. Much
of it was recorded during the same time as their four CD release Ladies
and Gentlemen, however, this is a complement not a substitute
for that. by Barry
Small
©
Original Album - B -
Bonus Material - B
Final Grade -
B -
More about Skull
and Roses / order from Amazon
Europe '72
Europe
’72 is the first Grateful Dead CD (album) that I bought and I
still love it.
This tour began on April 7 and ended on May 26 with 22
performances.
It includes many of their classic original songs that never
were released on any of their studio CD's that include: “Tennessee
Jed,” “Jack Straw,” “Brown Eyed Women,” “Ramble on
Rose,” and “He’s Gone.” These songs have remained in the
Grateful Dead’s concert rotation till their final days in 1995.
Europe
’72
is the first recording to feature keyboard player Keith Godchaux.
Pig Pen is still in the band at this time and he contributes with
two blues covers “Mr. Charlie” and “Hurts Me Too.” Jerry
Garcia’s challenges Pig Pen by singing lead on a blues number,
Elmore James’ “It Hurts Me Too.” On it Keith really hits some
great riffs that shows his versatility. Keith also makes his
presence known on
“Cumberland Blues.”
The
meat of this release is the “Truckin'” > “Epilogue” >
“Prelude” > “Morning Dew.” After the "Truckin’" the band
catches fire on a melody and they get into a nice groove that
features hints of
“The Other One,” without ever going there. The jam
eventually settles into one of the better versions of “Morning
Dew” of 1972.
The bonus material from
Europe '72 include some real treasures and rarities. It represented the first
official release of Pig Pen's "The Stranger (Two Souls in Communion),"
though, subsequently another version was released on Steppin' Out
With the Grateful Dead. The version of "Looks Like
Rain" is an early version that features Garcia playing pedal
steel guitar. In addition to the above short compositions there is
also a big jam closing out disc 2. That jam is the only
version of "Good Lovin'" that features PigPen and Keith
Godchaux that has "Caution" and more sandwiched
within.
There
is a lot of competition among the 1972 Grateful Dead releases and Europe
’72 deserves heavy consideration.
Original Album - A -
Bonus Material - A -
Final Grade -
A -
Notes:
With the addition of the bonus material some of the tracks that were
previously on disc 2 were moved to disc one to accommodate the smartly
chosen track additions. The songs are " Sugar Magnolia,"
" Mr. Charlie," and " Tennessee Jed."
More about Europe
'72 / order from Amazon
Bear's Choice
This
music on Bear’s Choice was recorded February 13 – 14
1970; the same dates as Dick’s Picks Volume 4, that was
released in March 1996, though it includes different material. The
title of this CD is officially named History of the Grateful
Dead, Vol. 1 (Bear’s Choice), though, most fans refer to the
name simply as Bear's Choice. The first five songs are
acoustic and last two are electric. If you are a big Pig Pen fan
this is a must have as he is featured on both of the electric songs
and several of the acoustic songs.
The two electric songs
are stunning. The version of Howling' Wolf's "Smokestack
Lightnin'" is about as good as this song gets. The jam
includes an awesome tease of "New Speedway Boogie"
throughout and
some outstanding Garcia soloing.
The bonus material
includes four essential Pig Pen led cover songs. Another
version of "Smokestack Lightnin'" is included. While
it is marvelous in it's own way, it doesn't quite match the February
13 version from the original release.
For the most part Bear’s
Choice is an unofficial tribute album to the late Pig Pen.
His real name is Ron McKernan and he passed away on March 8,
1973, at the age of 27 of liver disease. This album is a perfect
complement to Dick’s Picks Volume 4
and is a
huge treat for Pig Pen fans. by Barry
Small
©
Original Album - B
Bonus Material - B
Final Grade -
B
More about History
of the Grateful Dead Vol. 1, Bear's Choice
order from Amazon
