From Amazon.com
Classic Country Rock...The Place to Start for the Curious
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: If you're curious about the Grateful Dead, this is pretty much where it all begins. Workingman's Dead is simply a classic of the genre, with the band really capturing that sense of Americana and a "simpler time", more so than American Beauty. Almost every song here stayed staples of the Dead's performances for much of career, and its easy to hear why: the album has a stripped-down, laid-back feel that is an enormous departure from the wild jams they are known for. Yet remarkably, the Dead ended up being equally adept at writing simple yet profound country rock. Who would of thunk it?! Robert Hunter turns in some of his best songwriting here (check out Uncle John's Band and Black Peter), and the band equally complements with some memorable performances (check out some great pedal steel on Dire Wolf). My personal favorites include Uncle John's Band, Dire Wolf, New Speedway Boogie, Cumberland Blues and Black Peter. This belongs in every serious music collection.
Environment shapes the sound
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: The earlier Dead Albums were very much a product of their environment -- living in the heart of San Francisco in the midst of the "hippie explosion." Well, toward the end of 1968, the SF scene started getting pretty crazy and the Dead fled the scene to the ranch north of SF in Navato, riding horses, shooting pistols, and living the country life. Robert Hunter returned and joined them to pen the tunes for this and "Beauty." The results speak for themselves. This and "Beauty" are indeed essential recordings in any music collection -- even if you don't like the full-blown, electric Dead.
A Lyrical and Musical Classic
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: I can't tell you how many times I've had this playing and someone has said "Who's this?" I tell them it's the Grateful Dead and they're amazed! What most people think is the Grateful Dead is not this album or it's counterpart "American Beauty". However these albums are to me not only their best work but they stand alone as two of the greatest albums of the rock era by any artists. I'm writing a review of "Workingman's Dead" because it's my favorite of the two. First of all the lyrics by Robert Hunter are just wonderful, "I don't know but I've been told if the horse don't pull you got to carry the load." I mean the words just flow so wonderfully. The harmonies are incredible. They must have been inspired by Crosby, Stills and Nash or the Beach Boys. The music just chugs along like your on a cross-country trip going along the highway. These are great road songs. Jerry Garcia's voice and slide guitar blend just perfectly. What else to say but this is just a perfect record. I recommend anyone who loves good music buy this album whether they think they're a fan of the Dead or not. This will surely make them a fan.
Workingman's Dead
Album Rating: (4 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: The Grateful Dead-Workingman's Dead ****
Not quite the classic it is made out to be, American Beauty is still the Deads crowning achievement, but Workingmans Dead is still a pretty killer album. Released in 1970, the album was a departure from the crazy psychedelic blues that they had previously released on albums such as Aoxomoxoa. This was more acoustic and had more of an emphasis on the song rather than the jam. Lyrically it is also one of the the bands strongest efforts.
As a guitar player Workingman's Dead offers some of Jerry Garcia's all time best work. A large variety of jazz, acoustic, rock, jam, blues, at times heavy metal are covered in his range on this legendary album. He really shines here more than any other studio album in my opinion.
'Casey Jones' is among the best on early 1970's rock and is still a radio staple today. 'New Boogie Speedway' is a nice mini jam, something that the Allman Brothers would have been proud to write. 'Uncle John's Band' is unique in the groups canon because of it's jump from what was to what they became. But it is 'Dire Wolf' that really makes the album. With the acoustic feel and the great lyrics it truly makes the album.
Workingman's Dead isn't the best Grateful Dead album, but it is up there. It did the one thing that no other Dead album did, show restraint.
Workingman or Beauty
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: Workingman's dead a true classic from the Dead,could be classified a companion to American Beauty,both released in 1970,Workingman's Dead first,could've easily been released as a double album,Workingman contains a mixture of different genres,blues,country,funk,and rock,yet in a subdued way,listen to,Uncle John's Band,a definite classical touch and the Dead's best weapon of course are the tight harmonies flowing consistently within each song,as so do the strong lyrics. Jerry Garcia's steel guitar also stands out on,Dire Wolf,Garcia,a fine steel player,shows off his stuff,playing steel on C.S.N.& Y.'s,Teach Your Children Well,and could've stood to be more defined on American Beauty. Easy Wind,is a catchy tune that would fit well on a Hendrix album,and other notable songs such as,The Cumberland Blues,and High Time,adding to this album a great classic repertoire,it's hard to say which two albums are better in comparison,Beauty or Workingman's,if I had to choose I'd pick Workingman's Dead,though a tough choice. These Rhino releases are excellent and loaded with Grateful Dead music with bonus tracks,mostly live,and single released tracks,a little more for your money.
Purchases
1 Uncle John's Band
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