Rhino Records releases new HDCD recording of the Grateful Dead’s landmark concert that rang in 1977. Folk101 throws some resources your way before posting our review.
Like every folky, I spent a good part of my teenage years in tie-dye tee-shirts, paying homage to the Grateful Dead.
I remember that on my first ski trip, I was enamored by (and instantly bought) a blue and purple shirt, featuring a skeleton cutting fresh powder with a rose between his teeth. I sported it around the village all weekend.
The influence of the Dead on folk music is undeniable. While many people think of them primarily as a psychedelic jam band, their influence is also felt in the areas of jazz, R&B, and even bluegrass.
For me, however, it was always the Dead’s folk-oriented albums that stood out. American Beauty and Workingman’s Dead are essential components of any catalog of acoustic music.
That being said, there is no denying the artistry and craftsmanship of this group of musicians throughout their careers, and all of their talents are on display in a new three-disc live concert album, Grateful Dead: Live at the Cow Palace, New Year’s Eve 1976.
This record, remastered in HDCD, has grown to legendary status in Dead mythology. There is over 180 minutes of music, three-sets (including a countdown to midnight), and the band at the height of its powers playing some of its best songs.
The band's line-up at the time featured Jerry Garcia on guitar and vocals, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann on drums, Phil Lesh on bass, Bob Weir on guitar and vocals, Keith Godchaux on keyboards and backup vocalist Donna Godchaux. It was probably their strongest and tightest manifestation.
The result is a show that spans several distinct periods of the Dead’s music and development.
Stay tuned for Folk101’s review of this record. It will be up by the end of the week, so please check back.
Until then, you can listen to some 24/7 streaming Dead radio or check out the annotated version of the group’s lyrics.
Make sure you visit the band’s official homepage, and especially the Taper’s Section, which is full of great songs to download and information about the fine tradition of amateurs recording and sharing Dead performances.
And, as always, don’t forget to check out our sponsors.
