Grateful Dead (Skull & Roses) 50th Anniversary Expanded Edition 2CD
“For the Grateful Dead's second live album, released two years after its predecessor LIVE/DEAD, the band delivered an equally magnificent, but entirely different, Grateful Dead sound. Whereas LIVE/DEAD was a perfect sonic encapsulation of the band at the peak of their Primal Dead era, SKULL & ROSES captures the quintessential quintet, the original five piece band, playing some of their hardest hitting rock 'n' roll (‘Johnny B. Goode,’ ‘Not Fade Away’), showing off their authentic Bakersfield bona fides (‘Me & My Uncle,’ ‘Mama Tried,’ ‘Me & Bobby McGee’), and some originals that would be important parts of the Dead's live repertoire for the next 24 years (‘Bertha,’ ‘Playing In The Band,’ ‘Wharf Rat’). Of course, the Dead were never defined by one specific ‘sound’ and amongst the aforementioned genres and styles the band brought to this album, they also delved deeply into their psychedelic, primal playbook with an entire side dedicated to their 1968 masterpiece ‘The Other One.’ This is one of the most deeply rich and satisfying tracks preserved on an official Grateful Dead album, up there with LIVE/DEAD's ‘Dark Star’ and EUROPE '72's ‘Morning Dew.’ SKULL & ROSES sounds as fresh today as the first time I heard it in 1985, and as fresh as it was upon its spectacularly well-received release in 1971.” - David Lemieux
Not only did SKULL & ROSES serve up supremely fine tunes, it was also the one that scored the Grateful Dead their very first Gold record, introduced the world to the iconic skeleton babe Bertha, and asked the questions - Who are you? Where are you? How are you? - giving birth to the first official generation of Dead Heads.
DEAD FREAKS, old and new, get ready to reunite on June 25th with the release of GRATEFUL DEAD (SKULL & ROSES): EXPANDED EDITION. In celebration of the 50th anniversary, the 2CD set will feature the album’s original 11 tracks, newly remastered from the stereo analog master tapes by Grammy® Award winning engineer David Glasser using Plangent Process Speed Correction. We're topping it off with more than an hour of previously unreleased live recordings taken from the much-requested July 2, 1971 performance at the Fillmore West, the band’s final performance at the historic San Francisco venue. Standouts include the 17-minute Pigpen spectacular “Good Lovin’,” an achingly beautiful take on Merle Haggard’s “Sing Me Back Home,” and a spell-binding version of “The Other One” that rivals the one captured on the original Side 2.
Looking for something more byte-sized? The GRATEFUL DEAD (SKULL & ROSES): EXPANDED EDITION and the original edition will also be available for HD digital download in FLAC and ALAC, exclusively at Dead.net, on release day. You can pre-order it now.
What a surprise...
Of course one cannot pre-order the 2CD set - it has sold out. It isn't a limited edition, it won't be released for ages yet, but it is shown as sold out. Don't get the idea that I was seriously considering ordering it from here. I'm not falling for that. If it is available elsewhere then I will order from elsewhere, wherever that may be. I am impressed by Rhino/Dead.net's uncanny ability to screw up. I shall watch how this develops with interest and amusement. Toodle pip!
Anniversary show , 3/26/83 Aladdin Theatre
38 years ago today, I was in Las Vegas at the Aladdin Theatre to see the Dead.
3/25/83
Compton Terrace was a super good time. Lucky the cops let us leave after they interrogated us for close to an hour after the concert. Read my notes for 3/25/83. The mini riot. We never even knew it happened until after the show. Dan’s truck helped make it happen. 3/25/83 was a rites of spring concert. The desert was super green at that time. I backpacked into the Ajo Mountains the days following Compton Terrace. Wildflowers everywhere.
And 49 years ago (3/25/72) was at the Bo Diddly / Grateful Dead / Hells Angel benefit.That night was bad ass.
Strider/Compton
Sounds pretty cool cept for the Po Po, being the Po Po ahem...
First H/S/F reintro, sweet! Saw the fourth go round a couple weeks later in Bingo town, hell of a night.
First time tripping at a show, vooooooo
You sir, have seen some shite!
As always, thanks for the stories!
Available for pre-order on Amazon
too bad Rhino can't get it's act together but you can pre-order on Amazon and Prime members get free shipping. I'll sweat it on Dead.net for limited editions but they need to make it easier for the rest of the stuff
3.26.83 Aladdin Theater....
....I was listening to heavy metal and punk. The bus hadn't come by yet, otherwise I would have been present and accounted for.
Edit. The S & R 50th is not limited. Already pre-ordered through Amazon.
The cops don’t need you and man they expect the same
It was the photograph of the old Compton Terrace (3/25/83) from David Lemeiux Twitter account yesterday. Maybe the same cop car / “officer” as in front of entrance sign. (PTSD sic)
Maybe the interrogation just seemed like an hour, was really only 20 minutes.
That cop...
Did he put rubber gloves on for the interrogation? 😳
R.I.P. Larry McMurtry
My favorite writer. He was in the same writing class as Ken Kesey up at Stanford.
Skull & Roses Sold Out?
It appears not! Earlier today I attempted to order the 2-CD set and couldn't because ti was supposedly sold out. So, I ordered it from Amazon with free shipping! Oh well...
Skull and Roses is my…
Skull and Roses is my favorite Grateful Dead album. It was also the first Dead LP that I had (when I had only about 15 LP'S, back in 1971, me being in college). The choice of the tracks is representative not only for the Dead, but also for a great era.
Now, what do we get for the 50th anniversary edition? I say it directly: It's the 1st time I'm disappointed by an anniversary edition! I bet the sound will be even better than on the last "Skull and Roses" edition. But I'm expecting more... More in this case are just some tracks from the last Fillmore West concert(7/02/71). Why only some tracks and not the whole concert??? Were some tracks unavailable due to legal struggles? I certainly miss the best "Casey Jones" version ever which is followed by a great Johnny B.Goode! Casey Jones is building up to a wonderful crescendo which I listened to again and again from LP's of some friends. Today I have the vinyl "Fillmore The Last Days" and a CD Box with Radio Broadcasts from 1971 which contains the whole 7/02 concert, unfortunately not in a soundquality to which we got used by the continuing work of the soundworkers at the Dead office.
Okay some tracks is better than nothing; so I will get a copy just for the better sound!
Our Love will not fade away!
Romeo Nathan B (aka Mr. RNB)
Rombumzora/missing songs
Dave said they did not have the whole show in the vault
Favorite Dead Album!
After watching the Seaside Chat (David, I love them chats!) I realize that not the whole 7/02 concert was/is in the Dead Vault! And I'm looking(hearing!) forward to the even better sound for this edition of "Skullfuck!"
One more note: I constantly compose and burn CD's of great albums; that's to say other versions which have live or cover versions of the original songs. So I have several versions of every Grateful Dead album. "Skull and Roses" holds the record by 54 versions!! Second one is the first Garcia album with 50 versions!
Our LOVE will not fade away!
RNB
THANK YOU, I just heard it…
THANK YOU, I just heard it myself!
RNB
Sold Out Skull
This is probably irrelevant, since the sold out status for Skull & Roses preorders is fixed, but if you are thinking of ordering through Amazon, be sure and check the ship date posted by some sellers. One had a shipping date of April 6-13th, or something. Long before the upcoming version will be released. There are so many versions, both new and old, it is hard to know which one is actually the upcoming 50th anniversary edition. I love free shipping, but I will stick with Dead.net. Cheers.
07/02 Bonus Material
I bought a bootleg vinyl copy of this final Fillmore show while in college in 1974 from a bud who had some mail order connections. It's almost 2 hours and does have Casey Jones on this 2-record collection. The person must have recorded it from the radio because the sound is not the greatest, but it's more than adequate. The best part about this copy is that the person who produced it was not familiar with the song titles. For example, Bertha is called "Had to Move", Next Time You See Me is "You Lied, You Cheated", and my personal favorite, The Other One is named "Dedicated to Owsley". I still listen to it to this day. I have a wide range of music tastes and also bought live bootlegs of Bowie and Mott the Hoople from this same source. On another subject, does anyone know who won the Grand Prize from 30 Days of Dead?
Anniversary show, 3/29/83. Warfield Theatre
38 years ago today, I was at the Warfield Theatre. for the first of 3 shows with the Dead. My favorite Dead Warfield shows , besides the 1980s acoustic ones, were the Feb 1982 shows, those were really good.. All the Warfield Garcia/Grisman shows and the Garcia Acoustic band shows in 1987, were knockouts. and should all be released.
7/2/71
It's already been mentioned that this show is part of the 21 disc Live '71 yellow box. I am not an audiophile, but merely someone who wants to HEAR the music. This doesn't make me right or wrong, but the difference between the "Radio Show" version in the box, and the mucho upgraded tracks on this upcoming re-issue, while I hope is a drastic one, is not the defining factor for me personally.
I can't wait to hear this new version. And as it contains the last song of set 1, and all but 2 songs(Sugar Mag./Casey Jones) and the encore of set 2, it keeps(for me, anyway) the great value of having the Yellow box, so that I can still enjoy hearing the entire show. I am going to apply myself as best I can, and A/B these 2 recordings, so that I can really try to appreciate the difference. And I am grateful for anyone who gives feedback describing why and how (and where) the upgrade is majorly noticeable and better.
The truth is, I would be an audiophile if I could afford to be, but growing up in a poor household in the 60's, I was just happy to have the music. I have almost always had just basic equipment to listen on, so I suppose I can't miss what I've never had.
If I ever won the lottery, my first purchase would be a $50,000-$100,000 dollar sound system.
Music is the Best!!
Allman Brothers Band new releases
I just received Down in Texas 71 and Fillmore East Deluxe Edition (3 cd). These appear to be only available through Merch Mountain. I paid 7 dollars for 2-day shipping. These shipped the same day and arrived in 2-days. Now to listen.
Just thought I would share this info in case it is not well known.
Priorities
Mr Ones - I think you have got the right idea though. There is a guy who lives round here who gives the impression he only listens to records and cds to demonstrate how great his system is. When I went round, he didn't play anything all the way through...just a bit of this to demonstrate how good the bass sounds, then some of that to show off how acoustic guitars sound, the something else for the brass. It was hopeless.
Searching For The Sound
DAVEROCK-yes, I agree. Another observation I had when Ipods became ubiquitous. NO ONE EVER listened to a whole song!! 15 seconds of this, 30 seconds of that. It seems most folks never even listen to a whole song. And of course, I take it to the opposite extreme. 99.8% of time, I will listen to complete cds or concerts. Maybe it's an age thing, but it seems to me that the ability to simply LISTEN, and enjoy, has gone down the wastepipe. I believe expensive audio equipment might be lost on my defective ears!!
Come on, Dave's 38!!
No patience
Yeah, I have a cousin like that. Ride in the car and he constantly changes channels on the radio, never listens to a whole song, even a good one. Does the same damn thing watching TV! I love him, but he used to drive me nuts!
We used to do merch on the road together and one time he was supposed to do the show while I tried to sleep so I could drive all night after the show. Turned out we didn’t have to sell, only count in/out etc, so he comes back to the hotel and starts up with the TV, which if that wasn’t bad enough, it was one of those that made a sound every time you changed channels...so beep, beep, beep, beep every mother loving 30 seconds LOL
I finally had to kick him out saying “if you don’t leave and we die cause I fall asleep at the wheel, I’ll kill ya!”
Partials
When I bought new speakers a couple of years ago for a few days I played individual tracks from a variety of albums to check out how certain things sounded. After that I returned to listening to complete albums as I have always done. Why would you do otherwise?
Musical changes
Back in my LP days (yes I did have a turntable) I put on album A to hear something. During that song another song would be trigged, so I pull out another album to pop on as soon as that track was over. This would repeat until there was a mountain of albums to put away. I don't miss refiling album!
Back in my radio days in cars with friends (before I drove).... in the NYC market in the late 60's, early 70's, there were 3 big AM pop stations, ABC, NBC, CBS. It was all top 40 stuff. But song A would be playing and my buddy wouldn't want to hear that one, so he'd hit the button, new station playing commercial, hit button,,, no, don't want to hear that, hit button. On and on, heard a lot of parts of songs AND commericial! When I got my car with was pure oldies (true 50's oldies) and the station wasn't touched!
But as I said albums at home were a different beast :-)
Donna Jean
Nice interview just published:
https://glidemagazine.com/255351/donna-jean-godchaux-mackay-shares-stor…
Most interesting insight to me was this:
"But Keith was a piano guy. He just was. And the only reason that he went to the electric piano is, it was just easier to be on the road and have that rather than the nine-foot Steinway. Which, I mean, we had one in our house! (laughs) But he wanted that at gigs. And it was a step down for him musically when he had to go electric. But still, you have to deal with what you got."
I always felt like the road crew may have had as much to do with this as anything. I think Keith's alleged musical decline (not a theory I fully accept - see e.g. his tenure in 78 JGB for example) but I do think the move to an electric piano took something away, even if it was just the less authentic, rich sound of the grand piano. It was an unfortunate decision in my view.
Wadeocu/ pianers
There certainly would of been an elevated cost both financially and technically to carting around or renting grands.
But I believe I’ve heard the “band” whatever/whomever that actually means, wanted him to diversify more perhaps in accordance to the changing times. I know for sure that is one of the reasons they liked and went with Brent. Specifically, in an all “percussion” band they wanted more sustain and color. That part has been well documented.
Thanks for posting the interview!
Silence is the wit of fools………
Yo!!! Rockers!!!!
And so it begins. Fifty years ago today. Acid Month. Twenty shows in twenty-six days, culminating in the fine, final Fillmore East shows of April 25-29, 1971. With stops at Franklin & Marshall College, Bucknell University, Allegheny College, Princeton University, SUNY-Cortland, and Duke University, the Dead do their best to promote “higher education”. Winning new fans, perhaps baffling some by playing lots of things that hadn’t been officially released yet, bringing their psychedelic Bakersfield roadshow to lots of impressionable young minds. Was it was the last great blast of the original quintet???
Good old Grateful Dead. Were they a rock band? The mutant offspring of Merle Haggard? Weren’t they a jam band in a previous life? What were they, exactly???
Acid Month is sonically very well preserved. Like a fine wine, now it’s time to pop the cork! If you need or want, here I is! And if you’d like some light reading material, you know where to find me……………
Gentle reminder----I never joke about 1971…………..LOL!!!!
Rock on!
Doc
We’re fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance…..
S-n-R and 7/2
Love this album got a lot of play over the years. My first Dead shirt was of S-n-R day glow tie-dye still have it too. Bought it in the lot at my second show Easter Sunday Hartford 4/3/88.
I think it was smart to release this album with what they had of the 7/2/71 show, now no one (like myself) will be asking where is 7/2 when the Fall '71 radio box is released.
Official Marye day
Remember folks it’s Marye day so say thanks for all she does for us!
Maybe we should get her some batteries for that ebike?
Or everyone should send her a PM NOT about missing product ; )
Cancelled isn't a bad word because it happens everyday…..
50 years ago today………………
April 2, 1971
Memorial Gym Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
Was this a cancelled show?
Link: http://lostlivedead.blogspot.com/2009/11/april-2-1971-kent-state-univer…
Rock on!!!!
Doc
Then haste, kind Death, in pity to my age
And clap the Finis to my life's last page.
May Heaven's great Author my foul proof revise,
Cancel the page in which my error lies,
And raise my form above the etherial skies.
If God dropped acid, would he see people???
50 years ago today……..
April 4, 1971
Manhattan Center, New York, New York
Set 1: Bertha-Me And My Uncle-Next Time You See Me-Morning Dew-Playing In The Band-Loser-Easy Wind-Me And Bobby McGee-Greatest Story Ever Told>Johnny B. Goode
Set 2: Truckin'-Hard To Handle-Deal-Sugar Magnolia-Casey Jones-Good Lovin'-Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad-St. Stephen-Not Fade Away-Uncle John's Band
And so, musically speaking, Acid Month begins. A well documented, sonically well represented, and much beloved month in Grateful Dead lore…………..
On this first night, a little bit of rust has to be shaken off. Once that’s accomplished, the Dead are in fine psychedelic Bakersfield form. Interesting and unusual early first set Dew. There’s a good dose of grease, including a solid Hard To Handle, the last Easy Wind (OK yes, Pig plays a little loose with the words, but it’s OK and they jam it!), and some great Good Lovin’ snake music. The second set is nicely crunchy, and even though the convoluted jam sequence at the end doesn’t quite jell, it’s alright cuz the Dead are back and rockin’!!
A show you almost never hear about, underrated and certainly worth a listen!
Rock on!
Doc
Acid allows you to walk through the door to an alternate reality, but most people have no idea how to walk back through………….
Manhattan Center 4/4/71
Sounds so amazing. Streamlined Grateful Dead. Even some of the most tasteful organ fills. Pigpen / Hammond B3. Hoooooo-wee !! Happy Birthday Muddy Waters.
Muddy Waters. Louisiana Blues
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zQZItdUpcnk. Happy birthday Muddy Waters, I saw you play 3 times, you were cool and you still are cool.
Youth doesn't need friends - it only needs crowds.....
50 years ago today…….
April 5, 1971
Manhattan Center, New York City, New York
Set 1: Cold Rain And Snow-Me And Bobby McGee-The Rub-Loser-Playing In The Band-Big Railroad Blues-Me And My Uncle-Big Boss Man-China Cat Sunflower>I Know You Rider-Casey Jones
Set 2: Truckin'>drums>The Other One>Wharf Rat-Sugar Magnolia-I'm A King Bee-Bertha-Deal-Sing Me Back Home-Not Fade Away>Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad>Turn On Your Love Light
Does the intensity of the show match the density of the crowd? What’s the distance from Marathon to Athens?
Perhaps the best of the three nights. Really solid performance. Good dose of well performed Pigpen tunes (including the rarities The Rub and King Bee). Fine Truckin’/Other 1/ Wharf Rat big jam. The premiere of the Dead’s cover of Sing Me Back Home. The NFA/GDTRFB that later appeared on Skullfuck. This show gets much more respect than the previous night, and maybe deservedly so. Perhaps not a certified “top tier classic” but certainly worth the $5 it took to get in. Especially if you like yodelling…………..
Rock on!
Doc
We tell our triumphs to the crowds, but our own hearts are the sole confidants of our sorrows
I'm okay with being the oddball......
50 years ago today…..
April 6, 1971
Manhattan Center, New York City, New York
Set 1: Bertha-Beat It On Down The Line-It Hurts Me Too-Me And Bobby McGee-Dire Wolf-Oh Boy-Hog For You Baby-Playing In The Band-Midnight Hour-Mama Tried-Cumberland Blues-Casey Jones
Set 2: Greatest Story Ever Told>Johnny B. Goode-Loser-Good Lovin'-Sugar Magnolia-Not Fade Away>Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad>Not Fade Away>Truckin'
If you like your Grateful Dead oddball, maybe this is the April 1971 show for you. Was it something in the water? Was there acid in the air? Full moon perhaps? Maybe just Friday the 13th……………???
I love this if for nothing more than the quirky gooey goodness of the first set, with its abundance of kinda scarce to definitely rare tunes----It Hurts Me Too, Dire Wolf, Oh Boy, Hog For You Baby, Midnight Hour, Mama Tried. Did people in attendance realize what great little musical nuggets were being dropped on them? LOL! The second set is more “traditional repertoire”, with rockin’ versions of Johnny B Goode and Sugar Magnolia, a rappin’ Good Lovin’, but just an OK NFA suite UNTIL they cap the whole thing off with a crazed Truckin’! Absolutely recommended!
Rock on!!
Doc
When you feel like an oddball, it never really leaves you…..
Manhattan Center
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to all three days. Keeping it rolling. Have listened to all available 1971 Dead shows on the 50th anniversary for each one. Thank Betty Cantor.