Grateful Dead - Wake of the Flood

Following the Dead's early Warner Bros. LP's and their evolution from a San Francisco hippie phenomenon to one of the biggest bands on the planet, these five album masterpieces chronicle the creatively expansive portion of their long, strange, and amazing trip beginning in 1873 when they launchd their own label. Rhino's remastered & expanded editions celebrate the Dead's immortal music with state-of-the-art sonics and a wealth of fresh-from-the-archives bonus rarities. Album Description

one of the underated Dead Albums

At the time this album was released I believe it was generally underrated by many. It went to the "cut out bin" at my local record store in a matter of months.

Being strapped for cash and a price of $1.99 meant this lp joined my collection and got alot of play time back in the day.

This is all great material from Eyes of the World to Stella Blue. There isn't a bad cut on this album and its just as much of a listening joy for me now as it was over 30 years ago.

Add in the extra tracks (which are always a treat on a Dead CD) and you've got a wonderful addition to your inventory.
September 15, 2008

Bonus Tracks

What can I say? This was already a great album in the 70's. But now with three added tracks which are better than the rest of the original album its Terrific. Plus the added tracks now make this the perfect disk for my commute to work. I hate to buy disks that I already own but if this one is a sign i need to recollect my favorite Dead disks. The JAZZ IS DEAD version of this album is also Very Very Good. August 19, 2008

For the real Dead Head

The more I listen to this CD, the more I like it. I enjoy this CD because I've never heard most of these tracks. It's like I've found a golden nugget. I'm currently reading Mcnally's book, "A Long Strange Trip: The Inside History of the Grateful Dead" and I find myself purchasing all of the dead's officially released albums as the story unfolds - because I want to! Wake of the Flood is as well produced as the other remastered releases I've gotten so far but it has no major hits. It's a record that was made while the band was trying to find it's way after Pigpen's death. It's truely for the serious Dead Head. So, if you are a serious Dead Head, get it and complete your collection of the Dead's back catalog. DTM. August 10, 2008

Wake of the Flood is Definitive Dead.

Wake of the Flood is the second Dead album I ever owned on vinyl. (The first was American Beauty, which preceeded Wake of the Flood in 1970.) Wake of the Flood (1973) is the the Grateful Dead's sixth studio album, and is Definitive Dead--essential to any serious rock collection. From hindsight, the album's title was prophetic in that Wake of the Flood promised the "flood" of great Dead albums still to come. Because Ron "Pigpen" McKernan died from a stomach hemorrhage after the Dead released American Beauty, the Dead added piano player Keith Godchaux to the band, thereby changing the Dead's sound forever. Wake of the Flood is a fusion of rock, funk, blues, reggae, country, and improvisational jam. It includes one of my all-time favorite Dead songs, "Eyes of the World," a concert favorite. The album features Garcia and Weir on vocals and guitars, Lesh on bass and vocals, Godchaux on vocals and keyboards, Donna Jean Godchaux on vocals, and Kreutzmann and Hart on percussion. The album also features the Martyn Ford Orchestra and the English Choral on the title track. I first experienced this album on vinyl. Most of the songs on this album were concert favorites. The remastered CD is worth the upgrade from vinyl, featuring the following setlist:

1. Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo
2. Let Me Sing Your Blues Away
3. Row Jimmy
4. Stella Blue
5. Here Comes Sunshine
6. Eyes Of The World
7. Weather Report Suite: Prelude/Part I/Part II (Let It Grow)

8. Eyes Of The World (recorded in September 7, 1973 in New York)
9. Weather Report Suite (Studio Acoustic Demo): Prelude/Part I/Part II (Let It Grow)
10. China Doll (Studio Outtake)

G. Merritt April 18, 2008

Nice studio stuff

This purchase was to replace an old, long-lost copy. I've always liked their studio stuff, much to the chagrin of some more serious aficionados. Every once in a while it's nice to hear a nice crisp rendition than to have to pore over tons of bootlegs. March 24, 2008

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