The Witching Hour Sessions – 04/02/2018

The Grateful Dead

The Grateful Dead were formed in 1965 in California. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, psychedelia, experimental music, jazz, country, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, and space rock! The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994The Grateful Dead have sold more than 35 million albums worldwide.
The founding members were Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, Phil Lesh, and Bill Kreutzmann.
After the death of Garcia in 1995, former members of the band, along with other musicians, toured as the Other Ones in 1998, 2000, and 2002, and the Dead in 2003, 2004, and 2009. In 2015, the four surviving core members marked the band’s 50th anniversary in a series of concerts that were billed as their last performances together.
Tonight’s listening;

1 – Workingman’s Dead (1970)

The first of two folk style albums and ranks as one of the Dead’s peak achievements. ‘Workingman’s Dead’s’ eight tunes threw off almost all the band’s improvisatory tendencies in favour of spare, thoughtful looks at folk, country, and American roots music.

2 – American Beauty (1970)

Another gem of an album, with the Dead making some of their most powerful music by examining their most gentle and restrained impulses. It’s easily the masterwork of their studio output, and a strong contender for the best music the band ever made.

3 – Blues for Allah (1975)

Without a doubt, this is one of the Dead’s finest moments. The light acoustic melody is tinged with equally beautiful arrangements.