FROM THE MARS HOTEL (50TH ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION) features remastered audio by GRAMMY® Award-winning engineer David Glaser, with Plangent Processes tape restoration and speed correction. Produced for release by Grateful Dead Legacy Manager and Audio Archivist, David Lemieux, the DELUXE EDITION also includes demos of “China Doll” and “Wave That Flag” – the song that became “U.S. Blues” – as well as a previously unreleased live performance of the Grateful Dead at University of Nevada-Reno on 5/12/1974. As the band filled an outdoor football stadium with epic highs like huge “China Cat Sunflower” > “I Know You Rider,” Mars Hotel cuts including “U.S. Blues” and classics such as “Brown-Eyed Women,” “Tennessee Jed,” “Mississippi Half-Step,” “Truckin',” “Sugar Magnolia,” a massive wind storm was no match for the Wall of Sound. Designed to improve the listening and performance experience at what were becoming larger gigs and longer, more dynamic and varied sets, the Wall of Sound required 21 stage hands, and underlined the resounding effect the Grateful Dead were having on American audiences and culture at the time, even as the entire operation remained homespun and humble.
Recorded in San Francisco’s Coast Recorders studio, FROM THE MARS HOTEL finds Keith Godchaux particularly shining across a variety of keys, from the “China Doll” harpsichord to the pounding piano on Bob Weir’s “Money Money,” to the churchy organ that elevates “Ship Of Fools.” Lyricist Robert Hunter packs “U.S. Blues” with a barrage of imagery, pop-culture references and sardonic asides – as Canadian author Ray Robertson writes in the 50th Anniversary Edition’s liner notes, it “carries an undeniable whiff of late-capitalism ennui…it’s the most fun you’ll ever have dancing to the end of the American Empire.” Jerry Garcia’s jaunty lead guitar drives bouncing melodies across the LP, while guests include Ned Lagin’s unnerving synth effects on “Unbroken Chain,” Clover member John McFee’s country-rock pedal steel on “Pride Of Cucamonga,” and more.
Oro Agreed
Thanks for the summer 74 series recap, good reminder of a few shows to check out. Did not have a copy of FTMH here, so glad to have the remaster which sounds "lush". Yes, 5/12 is rough, especially first disc, uneven variable levels, indeed piano oversaturated, ouch, but they are going for it. The second disc decided improvement, some nice jamming. I wrote it off to historical interest, this was the first outdoor WoS show, correct? Worst ever,? Naw, seem to recall a couple DiP that were muddy and compressed. DaP9, two days later in Missoula also started out a bit rough though overall, better recording. Speaking of saturation, I get my first taste of live Phish next weekend in MA, Fallon elevator appetizer.
More 74 lol
Ha, I knew someone would comment on “worst” comment.
Didn’t mean to cloud anyones fun, I’m just an old tech freak who finds it all fascinating etc, and sometimes ya know, ya gotta grease the rails a little ; )
We need more good conversation round here.
I don’t really know them well enough, and I haven’t heard many Dicks in fo ever…Hell, since I’ve been on my “quest” I hardly listen to released stuff at all.
Saving for after my quest when I can freak freely lol
Really, after first time virgin full sit down etc, I usually don’t listen that critically, normally. If the playing is hot, I just float with it. But you can’t undo training and when somethings weird, it’s hard to not hear it. Like if it’s decent or good, I don’t notice as much, but if somethings off, it sticks out like a sore thumb, if that makes sense? It can be a curse sometimes.
I love DaP 9, probably for that big scary DS!
Man, I’m on DaP 34 today, NOW that one’s sweet!
Hadn’t spun this one in awhile, Good Sheet Mon!
So, to clarify, my comments were about the audio/recording, not so much the show. Now, they all can’t be the best, and this one is looser than most 74, but it does have some moments to be sure, and you can tell their having fun!
I love in A&A when some are ready to return to the song, but the rest are like, nope, “we ain’t done yet” lol think it happens more than once! Rocking good fun fo sho!
Onward!
Great WE All!
Oh, almost forgot. DMCVT, guess lightning dies struck twice.
Hope y’all are ok and keeping dry! Alvar too, believe he’s up there now also?
Keeps on raining, the levee gonna break…
anniversary flood
Thanks Oro, no issues here (an inch of rain was all) Alvarhanso over Rutland way saw a little more, the big plume swath stayed north of central axis, Middlebury to Burl, through Stowe, Barre, Plainfield, up to Saint J, 5-6 inches of rain. Some major damage to roads and farm fields, sadly two fatalities. Dozens of households are without power still, lots of washouts, rivers hit flood stage but are heading down. Small scale compared to TX but we are a small state. People talking about the new normal, freaked that it was exactly one year ago to the day for last flood.
5-12-74
On my second listen.
I originally had this show on cassette, then CD-R, then a torrent, then torrent upgrades. The current copy on my HD is 150221.sbd.miller.
This FTMH 50th bonus is the best sounding version I’ve had.
Glad for the upgrade.
Yes, there are audio anomalies as Oro pointed out, but the show still needed to be released and cutting it down to 2 discs was the right choice in this case.
Now Dave,
Time to announce the October ‘74 Box.
Audio anomalies
These seem to be a feature of officially released 1974 shows - 5/19/74 comes to mind. I have never heard one where they detract from the whole though. Just a characteristic of the year - and it was a great year.
Having said that...I haven't heard 5/12/74 yet. Quietly confident, though
I've got a sale going....
My two cents has been discounted to ... a penny for my thoughts. Hey, half off!
The live show here starts off shaky in terms of sound and performance, but halfway through the first disc, the band tightens up and begins to play like they mean it. This is not necessarily a criticism. What many people don't recognize is that without a first set, there's no second set jam frenzy. And, in the first set, the boys (led by Jer, no doubt) learned to remain calm and go about the business of entertaining with first set songs. In this show, they just come across as a bit lethargic. But, they gather themselves and acquit the remainder of the set in fine energy and style, with Jer ripping away. Second set is tasty and no real issues beyond poor Bobby's garbled vocals to TOO.
Happy to have it. And the Mars Hotel LP sounded really good and I enjoyed a chance to revisit it.
Now, about that primal box of '66-'70 that will include the recently (or not so recently) uncovered '68 tapes..............
5/12/74
I am impressed - really good show to my ears. It has many of the eccentricities of the year, like they all do, but if you like the year, I would say this was nigh on essential. Which goes for all years, come to to think of it. Great piano from Keith, nice and audible. Jerry on form and a great Truckin'-Other One jam. Possibly less robust than the 1971 and 1978 shows competing for our coin - but probably more up in the clouds.