The Grateful Dead
Jerry Garcia: guitar, pedal steel, piano, vocals
Phil Lesh: bass, guitar, piano, vocals
Bob Weir: guitar, vocals
Ron “Pigpen” McKernan: harmonica, vocals
Mickey Hart: percussion
Robert Hunter: Songwriter (Lyricist)
With: New Riders of the Purple Sage
American Beauty was the second of two releases in 1970 along with Workingman’s Dead. It is a true classic album, with plenty of great songs with many members contributing to the songwriting. This album was focused on the songwriting, no jamming, not really psychedelic. Jerry Garcia doesn’t play one electric guitar solo; David Nelson of New Riders… plays the only guitar solo. It is really a remarkable album that any rock fan would enjoy.
Box of Rain: This is one of the better songs on the album. It has really good lyrics and the band plays well throughout. It is the one song with an electric guitar solo. Overall, it’s a very cool song and a perfect way to open the album.
5/5
Friend of the Devil: This is my favorite song on the album. It is an acoustic track that is just all around awesome. It has some mandolin playing on it which really has a cool effect. It gives a perfect touch to the already great song.
5/5
Sugar Magnolia: This is a really catchy song that includes a pedal steel solo by Garcia. I enjoy this one because it’s more upbeat.
4.5/5
Operator: Written by Pigpen, Operator is the shortest track on the original album. At first I didn’t really like it at first, but after some getting used to, it’s much more enjoyable. The music is really great on this one.
4.3/5
Candyman: This is the longest song on the album, and that’s not necessarily a good thing. I think it’s a little too slow and almost mopey, or depressing. It gets a little repetitive, mostly due to the length.
3.5/5
Ripple: Here’s another great song featuring the mandolin. This one sounds even cooler, though the song isn’t necessarily as good. I like the lyrics and the music is good too.
4.5/5
Brokedown Palace: Another decent song. It’s a slower song. It isn’t really anything special.
3.7/5
Till the Morning Comes: A more upbeat song with a cool bassline. It is sort of repetitive, but still good. I think it gets kind of old or worn out if you listen to it to much. The bassline and riff are good though.
4/5
Attics of the My Life: Another slower one but with cool harmonizing vocals. A little too long in my opinion.
3.3/5
Truckin’: One of the Dead’s best songs. It has the famous line about the “long strange trip”. Also a concert staple, every live version has a jam. It’s a classic song.
5/5
This is a great album that I’d recommend to any rock fans, especially country rock fans, jam rock fans, and folk rock fans.
~Thanks for Reading~
~Peace~
