What Grateful Dead album(s) should I buy?

Ok, I've liked the Dead for a long time, but they are a little before my time like most of the music I listen to. I think I was in my freshman year in college when Garcia died and I never got to see them in concert. I used to have their Best Of collection on tape and now I have the newer Greatest Hits. The only thing that has stopped me from getting more of their albums is not knowing where to start. So, I'm seeking the advice of the Lounge.

They have I don't know how many live albums and bootlegs. Is there a definitive Dead live album I should start with?

The Dylan and the Dead album looks good, but sometimes those supergroup combinations aren't all they're cracked up to be. The whole doesn't always equal the sum of its parts on those things. Is this one really worth getting?

I do like bluegrass and Americana. Some of my favorite Dead songs so far are Franklin's Tower, Eyes of the World and Sugar Magnolia, if that gives you any clue about my tastes.

I can tell there are some big fans on this board so I'm hoping to get some good suggestions.

Any thoughts on what two or three of their albums I should start with?

That's my first reaction; The Dead have for years encouraged taping of their concerts, and the trading of those tapes, so really, you should be able to score all the Dead you can stand for free.

But, I recognize that some people want to have a studio-quality recording. In this case, I would have to say ALL of them.

but I don't know why. I know at least three people who followed them on tour at some point in their life. They all live in other cities but I'll ask them what they've got.

"Postcards at the Hanging".....defintely! I have both, I only listen to the latter.

If I had to choose one Dead album...easy. Live/Dead 1971. Pigpen and the Dead were at the top of their game. This album has incredible live audio recording for it's time. Seriously, I can't think of a better live album from a techincal recording standpoint. I think this was was Bear's best recording....

Do you mention that one because it has Dylan songs on it, or just because its a good album?

You should instead use that money to buy weed and a tie-dye t-shirt.

It's what Jerry Garcia would've wanted.

-C

and I make my own tie-dye shirts.

you can't go wrong with "American Beauty" (that is, if you're looking to buy one of their studio albums).

....there is a new one coming out called "Rocking the Rhine" which is from that same tour.

Europe '72, tho, is the live album I like best.

For studio albums, for me its mostly older stuff....the three I like the most are:

a. aoxomoaxa (sp?)

b. American Beauty

c. Greetings from the Mars Hotel.

I think I like "Mars Hotel" the best, but others might disagree. Alot of folks think "American Beauty" and "Workingmans Dead" are their two definitive studio albums..but I dont like "Workingmans Dead" that much.

http://bt.etree.org/?search=&cat=8

(Not that I do that kind of thing myself... I just stumbled on that site once ;-))

www.sharingthegroove.org

A lot of other bands there too.

If money's not an object with your Dead album budget, why not go for the whole enchilada...



Their entire WB catalog 1967-1973 plus a 2 CD set of early Dead demos and live recordings.

And each album contains bonus tracks, some of them as long as the original album itself.

One of the best boxsets ever assembled for any band, and the remasters sound great. Even the first album sounds better, which I didn't think was possible, given the horrible production on the original.

stikes me as a good starting point. Live. Mix of country, ballads, their own quirky style (China Cat Sunflower), blues, groovy jams (Truckin) and scary jams (Morning Dew intro jam).

7o or 71? mY FAVORITE IS '71.

The best version of NFA/GDTRFB.

Plus-

Bertha
Me and Bobby McGee
Johnny B. Goode
Me and My Uncle

plus....Pig Pen.

So I downloaded this song of the Dead playing with the Allman Brothers...er...I mean I have a friend who did since that would be wrong, and it was really good. I'm a big Allman Bros fan. Is there an album of that or is it strictly bootleg?

I've yet to hear anything on download.

Check out the Allman Bro's doing "going Down the Raod". pretty awesome.

Is the closest to folk music. My favorite is Live Dead. Do you mean album albums? Sites for downloading from the web were listed on a prior thread.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all%&address=105x1174695

I'm stricly dial up right now. It sucks.

Their live shows are best, but it helps to know their studio work to truly appreciate how much their concert versions morphed from the original.

Personally I'd reccomend:

American Beauty
Blues for Allah
Mars Hotel
Terrapin Station

There are other good ones, but these four are my faves.

Then go out and get some of their mid70's stuff. Dick's Picks 1 is a good choice.

it is NOT illegal to download Dead concert tapes. It would be illegal to download their commercial albums, however, by encouraging people to tape concerts and trade tapes, they gave up their rights to those performances in any medium.

There's a pretty good Franklin's Tower on Dead Set, along with Fire on the Mountain
Throwing Stones on Built to Last is good
I'd say any of these

and BTW, I've always loved that Mordor White House pic!

.

I'm not as into the Dead as I used to be, but here are some of my favorites when I was into them:

1. American Beuaty (yeah it's overrated, but it's a classic album)
2. workingman's Dead (ditto)
3. Blues for Allah (their jazz fusion album, of sorts)
4. Anthem of the Sun (their trippiest album)
5. Aoxomoxoa
6. From the Mars Hotel


Now there are a slew of live albums out there, I've pretty much lost track of how many, but these are good:

1. Grateful Dead (skull & roses LP)
2. Live/Dead
3. Dick's Picks (if you don't feel like searching for a low-generation live tape of a certain show)
4. Reckoning


Avoid these studio LPs at all costs!
1. Shakedown Street (abolutely their worst album)
2. Go to Heaven (not as bad as Shakedown, but still sucks hard)

but really, check out the sites listed. you can download killer sets from the links.

everyone's got their faves, but i like early dick's picks, esp. #2 & 5

#2: dark star>jam>sugar magnolia>st stephen>not fade away>going down the road feeling bad>not fade away. (columbus ohio, 10/31/71)

for the dark star alone, its worth it.

for those who care:

WNCW from spindale nc plays 4 hours of dead on wednesday nights, hosted by good ole' uncle dave. you can hear it over the net here.


http://www.wncw.org/