KVR Audio

Jazz Franco · Post by **Jazz Franco** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:02 am

I was never into Grateful Dead (heard only their 1987 studio album actually) but recently caught Box Of Rain on a local rock radio and fell for the song. I bought the album it's on (American Beauty) and would love to explore other work by the Dead but what are the best options? There seems to be a truckload of albums made by them.

bluedad · Post by **bluedad** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:28 am

I never was a dead 'head', but I was a fan for many years, although I never got to see them live.
My favorites are 'Workingmans' Dead' and 'American Beauty'. classic gems in there.
They never seemed to do well in the studio vs live. I suppose that's why there are so many live lps.
I loved 'Europe '72'..and another live one, I can't think of the name but it had a classic reworking of a Merle Haggard tune that kicks ass.

vurt · Post by **vurt** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:30 am

darkstar the full version

also some great stuff on the Zabriski point soundtrack too

not really a dead head but many a goodnight listenin to em

Jazz Franco · Post by **Jazz Franco** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:33 am

Thanks for suggestions Bluedad, I'll go for Workingman's Dead as my next purchase!
Actually I thought that 'deadhead' is a common term for a GD fan stateside

Jazz Franco · Post by **Jazz Franco** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:34 am

vurt wrote:some great stuff on the Zabriski point soundtrack too

wasn't it Pink Floyd?

bluedad · Post by **bluedad** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:34 am

also worthy, jerry garcia's first solo album, and bob weir's first called 'ace'
these were done in the same era as american beauty and workingmans dead.

vurt · Post by **vurt** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:36 am

Jazz Franco wrote:
vurt wrote:some great stuff on the Zabriski point soundtrack too
wasn't it Pink Floyd?

both,plus some other pretty darn cool tracks too

(i got the double with a disc of unreleased stuff by floyd and GD

)

bluedad · Post by **bluedad** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:38 am

Jazz Franco wrote: Actually I thought that 'deadhead' is a common term for a GD fan stateside

to me, deadhead refers to those folks who would follow the band all over the country to their concerts. those are the hardcores. I suppose you could call me a casual 'deadhead' then

But there was a few years when I was very much into them along with crosby stills nash, young, and jefferson airplane

vurt · Post by **vurt** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:40 am

yeah id agree gary,deadhead is someone who went everywhere with them,owns every recording you know obsessive kinda thing

Jazz Franco · Post by **Jazz Franco** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:47 am

'Trekkie' sort of thing then

See, Dead were never much popular here, so I'm somewhat quite profane about them. Thanx again for advice and suggestions!

bluedad · Post by **bluedad** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:53 am

ok, found my favorite live one - the one with skull and roses on the cover, it's got the haggard tune, and 'wharf rat' and the hook in 'bertha' wow.
Their first live one 'live dead' was pretty good too.

experimental.crow · Post by **experimental.crow** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 11:32 am

saw them about eight times , down through the years ...

the band presented many different faces ... their evolution a wonder to behold ...

some favs ...
'mars hotel' ...
'terrapin station' ...
'workingman's dead' ...
'american beauty'...

and to echo bluedad , bob weirs' 'ace' is
brill ...

Glassback · Post by **Glassback** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 11:43 am

Gosh, this band have done so many, it's hard to know where to start...
Aoxomoxoa is a pretty cool early album, then there's Mars Hotel, and Terrapin Station (which is quite different).
You could try "What A Long, Strange Trip It's Been" which is a pretty groovy compilation - and there are tons of live albums...

Have a look here for a fairly comprehensive discography

Jazz Franco · Post by **Jazz Franco** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 12:54 pm

Wow! thanx for the link, Glassback!

Any deadheads here?