Let's talk about Grateful Dead

[ThetaDancer]

Originally Posted by honeychile

We're planning on the shows in Milwaukee (with Willie Nelson), Joliet, Columbus, and someplace around there that I can't remember.

Ok I recognize this post is ridiculously old but I just saw it...and honeychile, I'm pretty sure we were at the same show!

Originally Posted by 33girl

You've probably heard Truckin, Uncle John's Band, Touch of Grey (not my fave) or Shakedown Street (disco Dead) at some point. You just might not have realized who it was.

Either American Beauty or Workingman's Dead is a good beginner album. I have friends that are super hardcore Deadheads, so I don't even try to compete.

I agree with your choices for beginner albums. I would get both if I were you, LeslieAnne.

Then, I'd recommend venturing into some music from the live shows, because, in my opinion, the Dead is best live as opposed to studio albums. I would really recommend checking out Dick's Picks (my favorites are probably volumes 3 & 4, but it's hard to go wrong). I would also argue that Fallout From the Phil Zone is a good one to pick up if you want to start getting into some of their live music.

ETA: Ok, and just because I'm a dork...I'm also going to recommend 2 books to anyone who might be interested. I really liked Garcia: An American Life, by Blair Jackson, and Searching for the Sound: My Life with the Grateful Dead, by Phil Lesh. They're both really good reads!