Grateful Dead

[bebopbob]

I recently saw my first "Dead" show this summer and I like their folk-rock material. Friends with whom I went to the show recommended that I get the following three CDs:

- American Beauty

- Workingman's Dead

- From the Mars Hotel

I already bought the first two but can't seem to find the Mars Hotel CD. Any leads other than ebay or half.com as to where I can get this CD would be greatly appreciated. I'd also be willing to trade something for this disc.

Items I have for trade:

Grachan Moncur III - Some Other Stuff (U.S. Conn.);

Red Garland - Auf Wiedersehen (MPS Japan);

Hank Mobley Quintet (Blue Note TOCJ 1550);

J.R. Monterose - Straight Ahead (DIW Japan: 1986 reissue of Xanadu release - purchased used w/o obi/ insert).

Thanks.

[AmirBagachelles]

try gdstore.com, and get Live Dead too

[Quincy]

Look for the recent reissues of American Beauty & Working Man's Dead as the sound is much improved and you get some extra cuts as well.

Not sure about what kind of friends would rec Mars Hotel , but if you really want to buy it try waiting as that is going to be remastered as part of a giant box. I'm not saying get the box (lord knows the world needs a 24 bit version of Go To Heaven ) but at some later date it will be available individually (probably sometime in 2005.)

Personally I think they sound their best live, and there's a ton of fine Dick's Picks, or there's always (if you don't have access) finding a friend with a high speed connection and downloading tons of great live stuff. Though American Beauty & Working Man's are terrific and well worth owning.

edit- Duh, I was reading too fast & now see you bought the 1st 2. Good work!

Edited September 15, 2004 by Quincy

[AmirBagachelles]

oh boy here's a rant: "Not sure about what kind of friends would rec Mars Hotel"

I think it really defines them post Warner Bros., and I think it has quite a few excellent songs -- Scarlet Begonias, China Doll, U.S. Blues, Pride of Cucamonga, Unbroken Chain, Ship of Fools, Must Have Been the Doses. It's way too good to skip over, particularly for somebody willing to hear their studio stuff.

[.:.impossible]

I'm also a fan of Mars Hotel. It was one of the first GD albums I ever heard. I think their are some great tunes on that album. Unbroken Chain especially.

And I have to put in the usual plug for the album under Bob Weir's name called ACE. I think you should seek that one out too. Great Grateful Dead studio album.

[Quincy]

I think it really defines them post Warner Bros., and I think it has quite a few excellent songs  -- Scarlet Begonias, China Doll, U.S. Blues, Pride of Cucamonga, Unbroken Chain, Ship of Fools, Must Have Been the Doses.  It's way too good to skip over, particularly for somebody willing to hear their studio stuff.

Oh, I guess it's just if you're going to play the game of name 3 albums, I'd pick something else for the 3rd choice. But you're right, there are many fine songs on there (you forgot to mention "Money, Money" ), though I greatly prefer 'em live. Obviously some love the studio.

However if one likes The Dead then Mars makes sense, as "Pride" & "Unbroken Chain" appear on it, and those are songs that are now played but only the latter was ever played live by the Grateful Dead. Count me as one who was horrified when I heard the breakout (on tape) in '95. Insert another winky here ------>.

More info on why the original poster might want to wait to buy Mars Hotel. A blurb about the upcoming box (Beyond Description, release date Oct. 26) states that it will include an acoustic demo of "Unbroken Chain," along with live versions of "Scarlet Begonias" & "Let It Rock." Along with remastering it will also get the HDCD encoding (plays on regular CD players, but if you have the chip for HDCD you'll appreciate it.) As I said before, I'm not sure when the albums will be available separately, but likely sometime in 2005.

Peace.

[jazzbo]

I may have some Dick's Picks for sale soon. . . so recommend those!

Another plug for "Ace"---really a Dead album in many ways, and one of the good studio ones (another favorite is Wake of the Flood--I just LOVE that lp!)

[jazzhound]

what do you say when you run out of pot at a Grateful Dead concert?

Boy, this music sucks!

[bebopbob]

Just ordered "From the Mars Hotel' on gdstore.com. Thanks for the info. The "Ace" album looks good too (Mexicali Blues, etal) - it's coming out on CD at the end of October.

Edited September 15, 2004 by bebopbob