I’m glad you’re doing this. As a life long fan of the Dead one of the hardest things to do is point new listeners to a specific album. I usually send them to “Without A Net” or “Dead Set”
Interesting approach. I can't argue with recommending Jerry's solo stuff as a springboard for GD. As you mention, the catalog is deep and covers a wide range of styles and moods. When introducing folks to GD, it all depends on their current tastes but, to get the full flavor in one package, I recommend Dick's Picks Volume 8 from Harpur College, May 2, 1970. It starts with a nice acoustic set and then finishes with 2 killer electric sets. Of course, the best way to get into the Dead is to time travel back a few decades and experience it as history was being made. If only....
I had the same opinion as you, also saw them in 1970 at the first gig in England at the Hollywood Music Festival. However I was very aware of the Grateful Dead through the Rolling Stone , remember reading about them and the culture and Jerrys interviews etc. I got the first 3 albums, but what really got me into them was Two From The Vault CD from the Shrine August 24th 1968, I was lying in bed in hospital having fallen of a ladder and broke my heel bone and wrist, had the time in my life to actually listen to them. I loved their sound from 1966 to 1970. Got to love the song Viola Lee Blues also, with incredible improvised rock/blues even Jazz feel, great that Dead & Co and Phish and friends are still playing this track! They’ve just re-released Anthem of the Sun re-mastered, which to me is the Dead in their prime, it’s with splattered coloured vinyl too 🎉🎉. Just watched ‘45 RPM Audiophile’ You Tube channel, he has a great review of it!
That's basement looks way better than mine! I got into the Dead later in life just a few years ago and took the plunge and got the VMP box. Glad I did. Now I'm big fan.
My intro to the Dead was 'For The Faithful' which was an '84 reissue of Reckoning. A great start, imo. Looking forward to seeing what you detail in episodes 2 and 3... ;)
Excellent video! The truth is the Dead belong to the bands whose studio recordings lag behind in comparison to their live ones (similar cases are Cream and Humble Pie). But I'm a huge fan of their first, more psychedelic albums. "Blues for Allah" is also a big favorite! A video with the best solo albums of GD members would be very interesting! The last one I really enjoyed was 2016's "Blue Mountain" by Bob Weir!
I love them all but not sure about the casual fan who is trying to get more acquainted.. I was trying to suggest more mainstream, easier on the ears stuff..
You forgot Vince Welnick when you were talking about keyboard players. They were a great live act, I saw them twice in 1969, moved to the bay area and saw them frequently until 1995. 1995 the year two of my favorites passed, Jerry Garcia & Country Dick Montana.
Thanks for the suggestions. I have dipped my toe into dead but haven't gone fully in. I don't think I have the time! I saw your pacific northwest video and like that set. I can't remember if it was you or JT but I listened to the Madison Square garden show based on a video and liked it.
interesting video aimed at someone like me who has a double cd best of covering their whole output, ive listened to this a few times and jm still not sure, so started watching your video with arms crossed and e stern face and by halfway through i thought my head was going to explode lol, why is there so much live material, touch of grey was the first track i liked when it was released, then a few years ago saw lots of people on the vc banging on about them so got the cd i think i prefer the really early stuff going to have another listen, here in the uk i never see their albums at record fairs or stores, very expensive rabbit hole i feel, enjoyed the video thanks
I'd say that new Grateful Dead fans should start with the compilations "Skeletons From The Closet" and "What A Long Strange Trip It's Been". Plus "The Arista Years" 2 CD set. Or a newer compilation that has two discs that contains both eras. Then get "Live/ Dead" from 1969 and both volumes of "Europe '72". Then move on to studio albums like "Workingman's Dead", "American Beauty", "Blues For Allah" and "In The Dark". Though, most of the best songs will already be covered on the compilations. Still, it's good to hear the studio albums as intended. Then move on to their many other live albums. I stop at the San Francisco, Warfield and New York City, Radio City Music Hall 1980 run of shows. But, others may decide to go on further.
Hi Glen!! cool video and very useful guide to get into the music of the band. I'm not very familiar with their music, mostly because i have never been a big fan of spychodelic music, jam bands or folky/accustic music. However have to recognize they have a big fan base here in the good ol' VC..... cheers and be well
@Glen Kellaway From The Basement - love your channel and hopefully you continue this. The Grateful Dead has always been a favorite and I always like to hear how people navigate The Dead because as you mentioned, it is a giant hole to get into and you can get lost. I tell people the base stuff to get: Aoxomoxoa - To me their best psychedelic album, I am in the minority on this because Anthem of the Sun is the prohibitive favorite, but I feel for a newbie Aoxomoxoa is a great primer before jumping into Anthem of the Sun. Workingman's Dead - Roots rock, Americana, with blues and country mixed in. It is a seminal Grateful Dead album with Uncle John's Band and Casey Jones American Beauty - I always tell people if you get Workingman's Dead you have to compliment it with American Beauty. Like you mentioned the harmonies being incorporated but this is where some good psychedelia is mixed in very well. Then I enjoyed a little of their jazz rock/progressive stuff and that is where albums like Wake of the Flood, From The Mars Hotel, Blues for Allah, and Terrapin Station. I tell people Europe '72 and Bear's Choice (History of the Grateful Dead Vol. 1) is the very first live albums I tell folks to grab. Like you mentioned their bootlegs, live albums, and everything there is no shortage but one once you make the leap, good luck I don't think there is an end in sight on live material they have out there.
Thank you for the great comments and opinions on their catalogue..definitely one of those bands that can be daunting to figure out..I love your choices.
This is a great introduction, and I like the perspective of approaching them through acoustic music. I think I roughly followed the path you describe here. I got into the Dead through Reckoning, and then American Beauty, Workingman's Dead and Europe '72. I've never gone down the rabbit hole of acquiring large number of live recordings, but I do have a few others. I also love the Grisman & Garcia (and The Pizza Tapes, that they did with Tony Rice), but I came to those after I heard the Dead. I like bands that have an acoustic and an electric element, like Jethro Tull, Neil Young with and without Crazy Horse.
@@GlenKellawayfromthebasement We have some significant overlap! It's nice to hear someone mention David Grisman. I love his records and the people he played with.
I’m glad you’re doing this. As a life long fan of the Dead one of the hardest things to do is point new listeners to a specific album. I usually send them to “Without A Net” or “Dead Set”
I love both your choices..great live albums..
Brent had a smoky voice that complimented the Dead! Love when he does Man Smart, Woman Smarter. Great collection!
I liked Brent..there a lot of Dead fans who don’t..
Interesting approach. I can't argue with recommending Jerry's solo stuff as a springboard for GD. As you mention, the catalog is deep and covers a wide range of styles and moods. When introducing folks to GD, it all depends on their current tastes but, to get the full flavor in one package, I recommend Dick's Picks Volume 8 from Harpur College, May 2, 1970. It starts with a nice acoustic set and then finishes with 2 killer electric sets.
Of course, the best way to get into the Dead is to time travel back a few decades and experience it as history was being made. If only....
A Time Machine would be useful..
I had the same opinion as you, also saw them in 1970 at the first gig in England at the Hollywood Music Festival. However I was very aware of the Grateful Dead through the Rolling Stone , remember reading about them and the culture and Jerrys interviews etc. I got the first 3 albums, but what really got me into them was Two From The Vault CD from the Shrine August 24th 1968, I was lying in bed in hospital having fallen of a ladder and broke my heel bone and wrist, had the time in my life to actually listen to them.
I loved their sound from 1966 to 1970. Got to love the song Viola Lee Blues also, with incredible improvised rock/blues even Jazz feel, great that Dead & Co and Phish and friends are still playing this track! They’ve just re-released Anthem of the Sun re-mastered, which to me is the Dead in their prime, it’s with splattered coloured vinyl too 🎉🎉. Just watched ‘45 RPM Audiophile’ You Tube channel, he has a great review of it!
I didn’t know about the reissue…cool you were on board early..not so cool about the accident..
That's basement looks way better than mine! I got into the Dead later in life just a few years ago and took the plunge and got the VMP box. Glad I did. Now I'm big fan.
That is awesome..Dead box sets are always so well done..
I enjoyed this Glen! I need to listen to some of these more that you suggested to me earlier, like my solo Garcia comp, Reckoning, and Europe ‘72.
Thanks Jean..happy listening..
My intro to the Dead was 'For The Faithful' which was an '84 reissue of Reckoning. A great start, imo. Looking forward to seeing what you detail in episodes 2 and 3... ;)
Thanks Jeff..Reckoning is a great starting point in my opinion..
Thanks Glen. This is very helpful.
Thanks Rob..you kinda inspired it..
Excellent video! The truth is the Dead belong to the bands whose studio recordings lag behind in comparison to their live ones (similar cases are Cream and Humble Pie). But I'm a huge fan of their first, more psychedelic albums. "Blues for Allah" is also a big favorite! A video with the best solo albums of GD members would be very interesting! The last one I really enjoyed was 2016's "Blue Mountain" by Bob Weir!
I love them all but not sure about the casual fan who is trying to get more acquainted.. I was trying to suggest more mainstream, easier on the ears stuff..
Great video. My favorite and easy for first timers is the Skull & Roses album or Europe '72.
Both are awesome choices..so many roads..to steal a familiar line..
You forgot Vince Welnick when you were talking about keyboard players. They were a great live act, I saw them twice in 1969, moved to the bay area and saw them frequently until 1995. 1995 the year two of my favorites passed, Jerry Garcia & Country Dick Montana.
I didn’t want to get too in depth with band members, etc..it’s confusing enough..lol
Thanks for the suggestions. I have dipped my toe into dead but haven't gone fully in. I don't think I have the time! I saw your pacific northwest video and like that set. I can't remember if it was you or JT but I listened to the Madison Square garden show based on a video and liked it.
Very cool..I love the MSG shows from 81 to 83
A lot of great music here
For live i started with Live/Dead from 1969 , really accessible stuff
Agreed..
interesting video aimed at someone like me who has a double cd best of covering their whole output, ive listened to this a few times and jm still not sure, so started watching your video with arms crossed and e stern face and by halfway through i thought my head was going to explode lol, why is there so much live material, touch of grey was the first track i liked when it was released, then a few years ago saw lots of people on the vc banging on about them so got the cd i think i prefer the really early stuff going to have another listen, here in the uk i never see their albums at record fairs or stores, very expensive rabbit hole i feel, enjoyed the video thanks
Wow..that is awesome..thank you👍❤
Mate listen to Two From the Vault double CD from August 24th 1968 when you have the time 🎉🎉
I'd say that new Grateful Dead fans should start with the compilations "Skeletons From The Closet" and "What A Long Strange Trip It's Been". Plus "The Arista Years" 2 CD set. Or a newer compilation that has two discs that contains both eras. Then get "Live/ Dead" from 1969 and both volumes of "Europe '72". Then move on to studio albums like "Workingman's Dead", "American Beauty", "Blues For Allah" and "In The Dark". Though, most of the best songs will already be covered on the compilations. Still, it's good to hear the studio albums as intended. Then move on to their many other live albums. I stop at the San Francisco, Warfield and New York City, Radio City Music Hall 1980 run of shows. But, others may decide to go on further.
There are certainly more than one path..it’s a jungle..
Hi Glen!! cool video and very useful guide to get into the music of the band. I'm not very familiar with their music, mostly because i have never been a big fan of spychodelic music, jam bands or folky/accustic music. However have to recognize they have a big fan base here in the good ol' VC..... cheers and be well
Thanks Cristian..I need a beginners guide to metal from you my friend
Nice talk about Grateful Dead man ☮️🎶. Did you see the band won their first Grammy ever this year for the MSG box set??
I did see that!!! It’s a great set..got it for Christmas..
@Glen Kellaway From The Basement - love your channel and hopefully you continue this. The Grateful Dead has always been a favorite and I always like to hear how people navigate The Dead because as you mentioned, it is a giant hole to get into and you can get lost.
I tell people the base stuff to get:
Aoxomoxoa - To me their best psychedelic album, I am in the minority on this because Anthem of the Sun is the prohibitive favorite, but I feel for a newbie Aoxomoxoa is a great primer before jumping into Anthem of the Sun.
Workingman's Dead - Roots rock, Americana, with blues and country mixed in. It is a seminal Grateful Dead album with Uncle John's Band and Casey Jones
American Beauty - I always tell people if you get Workingman's Dead you have to compliment it with American Beauty. Like you mentioned the harmonies being incorporated but this is where some good psychedelia is mixed in very well.
Then I enjoyed a little of their jazz rock/progressive stuff and that is where albums like Wake of the Flood, From The Mars Hotel, Blues for Allah, and Terrapin Station.
I tell people Europe '72 and Bear's Choice (History of the Grateful Dead Vol. 1) is the very first live albums I tell folks to grab. Like you mentioned their bootlegs, live albums, and everything there is no shortage but one once you make the leap, good luck I don't think there is an end in sight on live material they have out there.
Thank you for the great comments and opinions on their catalogue..definitely one of those bands that can be daunting to figure out..I love your choices.
This is a great introduction, and I like the perspective of approaching them through acoustic music. I think I roughly followed the path you describe here. I got into the Dead through Reckoning, and then American Beauty, Workingman's Dead and Europe '72. I've never gone down the rabbit hole of acquiring large number of live recordings, but I do have a few others. I also love the Grisman & Garcia (and The Pizza Tapes, that they did with Tony Rice), but I came to those after I heard the Dead. I like bands that have an acoustic and an electric element, like Jethro Tull, Neil Young with and without Crazy Horse.
Arturo..you and I are like musical twins👍❤
@@GlenKellawayfromthebasement We have some significant overlap! It's nice to hear someone mention David Grisman. I love his records and the people he played with.