Album Club, October 2015: Greatful Dead - 'American Beauty'

[Album Club]

The Album Club choice for October, 2015 comes courtesy of Richard (RichB), with a classic piece of Americana - the Greatful Dead's 'American Beauty'. As always please listen to the album in its entirety before you vote.



Greatful Dead - 'American Beauty'



OK so here's my choice for October. It seems to me a lot of we British don't really get the Grateful Dead and they're a band I've only recently come to appreciate in the last few years myself having been exposed to their music on visits across the pond where they still maintain a huge cult following.

'American Beauty' and it's predecessor 'Workingman's Dead' is probably the Dead at their most accessible, an easy blend of bluegrass, folk and country rock which recalls hazy afternoons spent in California and Baja for me where I first discovered this music. The musicianship on show here is first rate with Sugar Magnolias, Ripple and Truckin being particular standouts for me.

From what I understand this album was the beginning of Jerry Garcia's collaboration with mandolinist David Grisman who play off one another so beautifully and whose work together you'll enjoy if you like this.

Being a deadhead at this late stage in the ever changing game is something of a labour of love for me, and expensive too, but as an introduction to the band I don't think you can go wrong with this. A classic slice of early 70s Americana which I hope you'll all enjoy.




http://open.spotify.com/album/2UDDZVesmQwA4aYfa55diS

[Tarzan]

l have this album somewhere in the depths of my collection, and could never really 'get it' however that was a while ago so in the spirit of album club will try again- thanks for posting Richard.

[Audio Al]

Sorry Richard

Does nothing for me

With a band named Grateful Dead I was expecting heavy rock

And I heard soft / thin / underwhelming LA DE DA songs

Thanks for posting as it has made me aware now

[Bazil]

With a band named Grateful Dead I was expecting heavy rock

And I heard soft / thin / underwhelming LA DE DA songs

You are not alone Allen lots of people think this or thought it till they heard them.
I have this album its probably their best and is normally high up in the all time best album lists.
As mentioned by the Richard , Truckin' is a great track but so are the others , haven't played this in ages I look forward to hearing it on my current rig.

[struth]

Having been a bit of a hippy in the day, being a deadhead was a requirement. Great band that had a sound that influenced the eagles imo. Not a bad track on the album so 8/10 from me..

[Barry]

I have this (and a couple of other Dead albums), and would agree it's probably their best. Needs to be played louder than can be heard on the YouTube clip.

Bit of a niche item; something I don't play too often, but well worth hearing again (if only for 'Trucking' ).

Nice one Richard, 7/10 from me.

[high.spirits]

Thanks for the choice.
Not listened to this band before, must have just passed me by. A bit soft and easy going for me and not in the same league a the Eagles. 6/10.

[spm]

sorry a bit dull to my ears 6/10

[Spectral Morn]

I like Go to Heaven, that has a more southern rock vibe but other Dead albums nope. I have tried and I think my dislike of country and blue grass makes it very hard for me - so this is a no thanks album.

I gave it 2 because Truckin is ok



Regards Neil

[Tarzan]

l have this album somewhere in the depths of my collection, and could never really 'get it' however that was a while ago so in the spirit of album club will try again- thanks for posting Richard.

Found it! played again today, better than l remember, some good songs on there- so 7/10 from me, will play again.