Dead. Where Is Thy Sting?

@thaluza 

For those who play music, SQ tends not to be a major factor. But if improving your system has enhanced your enjoyment of music, I’m all for it. 

@larsman  I can't think of another word except for sh!t to describe Shakdown Street. Terrain Station wouldn't win any awards either, but it did have a cool Album cover. Blues for Allah another turd and that album where they are all dressed in white suits.

And don't forget that Garcia ended his days making neck ties for the Gentry, including Bill Clinton.

Nevertheless Live Dead stands out as a masterpiece.

@lordmelton - I wouldn't know. I don't listen to GD studio albums; I don't even know what songs were on which ones because it doesn't matter to me - that was never the point of the band; I can hear dozens of live versions of all the songs on those albums, except the very few they didn't like enough to put into the repertoire. 

I won't forget it because it didn't happen. Garcia didn't 'end his days making neck ties for the Gentry, including Bill Clinton'; I don't know what 'Gentry' means in this context; in the 90's, lots of people, from file clerks to CEOs, who worked in offices had to wear ties. Later, many companies adopted 'Casual Friday', where you could come to work tie-less, and then it turned into every day for most places. 

Jerry was also an artist, and some of Jerry's graphic designs were licensed and put a line of neckties - he didn't sit down to create neckties. I had a few myself. He ended his days before he died playing wonderful music, which he did his whole life. 

@larsman 

Despite the Band’s stated ambivalence towards studio recording and the unevenness thereof, Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty are excellent albums in terms of showcasing the songwriting of Hunter and Garcia. Deadheads seem more focused on where the Dead took songs via improvisation than on the quality of the songs themselves. But those who appreciate the craft of songwriting can find plenty to enjoy on these albums. If the band had simply "gone through the motions" when recording them, this would not necessarily be the case. There is plenty of emotional commitment in playing and singing on display. 

These two recordings can be regarded as close cousins to the records released by The Band, as can much of Europe ’72. I’m assuming you’re familiar with Levon’s version of Tennessee Jed. It sounds so natural for him to sing that and for good reason. I had to give up guitar but I loved playing tunes by both the Dead and The Band. Not as vehicles for jamming, but as wonderfully written and arranged songs.

I’d also argue that overall, Ace, WOTF, MH,  BFA, Reflections and Garcia are all solid efforts. I own and  enjoy all of them. I’ve never owned or particularly cared for any of  the rest. Same goes for Steal Your Face, Without A Net and Dead Set. 

So, while studio albums may not have been "what the band was about", I’d assert there are quite a few that non deadheads can enjoy. 

All the recordings from the various stops on the Europe 72 tour are great.