Live/Dead [Remastered] - Grateful Dead

Advantages: Some great songs
Disadvantages: When it finishes!

...American Beauty, following on from Workingman's Dead marked a signigicant change in the music of the Grateful Dead. Famed for their live shows and long extended jams, the Dead moved away from their psychedelic influences and more towards the sound of Crosby, Stills and Nash. This is the Grateful Dead in mellow mood. This album is the best of the Dead's studio albums and features classic songs such as Ripple, Sugar Magnolia, Truckin' and Friend of the Devil. The sound is much more acoustic and emphasis the vocal harmonies of the band. If you're new to the Grateful Dead then this album is a great starting point together with Workingman's Dead. But it is not typical of their other work. If you, like this one you'll probably like their later acoustic album, Reckoning. So listen to this album a few times and you'll find the songs... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Only the best live music you'll ever hear performed by human beings
Disadvantages: none

...Live Dead is as compelling now as it must have been when it was spontaneously created in 1969, and the epic Dark Star is its heart - an utterly compelling, ornate musical conversation by a band at the top of its form.. and at that time taken seriously by its peers. This is music that cannot be easily categorised or imitated but for a brief shining moment the band redefined rock music, because it played as an ensemble, not as a series of soloists. It is still a rare quality for a rock band. And Live Dead is without doubt the bands finest album. My favourite track of all- and the most accessable to newcomers - is the dark melancholy blues "Death don't have no mercy". If you want to know what all the fuss about Garcia is about, listen to this performance. Check out, too, the gorgeous Pigpen performance on a churning "Lovelight... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: It's the Grateful Dead
Disadvantages: You won't listen to it that much

...of Grateful Dead (Skull and Roses), Europe 72 or Recokoning before Bear's Choice.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful