a.miller Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 For a number of reasons, I have never been able to get into the Dead. However, I think it may be time to try again. Where should I start? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Basil II Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 proper album......"Workingman's Dead" anything else.....I'd ask "mountain bed" aka Scott from here..... his selections are tailored to what you want out of the Graetful Dead. --Robert. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
darkstar Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 Two words: Live Dead Get it, and get it now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 For albums, 'Workingman's Dead" is a good choice. As is "Reckoning." Depends on what you're searching for, really. I've never met a person who doesn't at least passively apprerciate "Reckoning." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
farva Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 They have a big, vast catalog of live albums that can be overwhelming. They span so many years and a few different configurations of the band that you can get drastically different sounds as you delve into them. I would start with American Beauty and Europe '72 - roughly the same time period, one studio and one live (albeit doctored a bit). Both will give you a good base of exposure to their songwriting side and the second disc of Europe '72 will give you a good intro to their improvisational prowess. Have fun! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Heartbreak Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 I would start with American Beauty and Europe '72 - roughly the same time period, one studio and one live (albeit doctored a bit). Both will give you a good base of exposure to their songwriting side and the second disc of Europe '72 will give you a good intro to their improvisational prowess.The remasters of these classic albums are essential, with lots of great bonus material. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Boots Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 I've never been really into the Dead but American Beauty is a damn fine record Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Reni Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 it's okay.....we are here.......stop now, turn around......head for the door. No, trust me kind brother.....you don't want... no really...... It will be okay. Whew, another Dead intervention...... Crisis averted. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
darkstar Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 it's okay.....we are here.......stop now, turn around......head for the door. No, trust me kind brother.....you don't want... no really...... It will be okay. Whew, another Dead intervention...... Crisis averted. Snob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Reni Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 man I travelled with the rainbow people when I was 17, on the eve of a "Jerry Tour".......I know of what I speak......kind brother. I was only being silly anyway...... hence the " " Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tongue-tied lightning Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 Kate has been a non-believer for a long time love ya anyway Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Basil II Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 was only being silly anyway...... hence the " " --Robert. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Reni Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 oh gah....yer not fun.....I am hardly a hipster anyway. I live in the suburbs; I lost ALL hipster cred. Now I am just a middle aged mom who still listens to the Descendents. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
darkstar Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 man I travelled with the rainbow people when I was 17, on the eve of a "Jerry Tour".......I know of what I speak......kind brother. I was only being silly anyway...... hence the " " It's all good...was being silly myself........was that your kid just ringing my doorbell? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Reni Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 yeah, you can smack her if you need to. I won't be home for a couple hours. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
darkstar Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 yeah, you can smack her if you need to. I won't be home for a couple hours. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Analogman Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 I'd just buy the Warner Brothers box and be done with it. I don't really care of anything after that - maybe Wake of The Flood. Of course, you can get all the post Warner Brothers stuff in a nifty boxset now also. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Atticus Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 just to throw $.02 in here, I have always found the dead's studio albums to be an extremely poor reflection of the greatness of much of their material. Workingman's Dead and American Beauty are probably two notable exceptions. Most of the other albums sound like someone was playing a practical joke on the dead, engineering/recording/mixing/mastering-wise. A lot of what you "should" try out depends on which Grateful Dead you want to hear. (disclaimer: I am no expert on the dead, just giving one guy's opinion). Some of their stuff is very down-to-earth, folksy, even country/bluegrass-tinged, some of it is spatial, electric and as "jamband"-ish as jamband can get. I think Europe 72 and Reckoning are great starting-place recommendations. I also really enjoyed Hundred Year Hall and One From the Vault, when I first started listening... Once you find a period or sound that you really like, then torrents and/or the dick's picks series will provide as much or little as you like. --Neil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NightOfJoy Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 American Beauty and Workingman's Dead are really the only 2 essentials, IMO. I've listened to the GD since 85 and those are the only 2 studio albums I've actually ever made it through. The real meat n potatos is the live stuff anyways. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
quarter23cd Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 I would start with American Beauty and Europe '72 Good stuff. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IRememberDBoon Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 blues for allah Quote Link to post Share on other sites
caliber66 Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 I'll second A-man's Wake of the Flood and all those offering WD and AB. But it really depends on what you like. There's some really, really good stuff on a lot of the Dead's albums (none of which I can really listen to much anymore), but it's a crapshoot if we don't know what you're looking for. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
a.miller Posted August 11, 2006 Author Share Posted August 11, 2006 Thanks for the info! I think it's the jam band stuff that has really turned me off in the past. Believe me, I've tried to get into jam bands and just cannot. I think I might get to the music store this weekend and pick up American Beauty and Europe '72. If it's of any assistance I like the song, Ripple. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 Should appreciating a band be this difficult? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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