The Grateful Dead

Tracks

The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion) [2:07]
Beat It On Down The Line [2:27]
Good Morning, Little School Girl [5:56]
Cold Rain And Snow [2:25]
Sitting on Top of the World [2:01]
Cream Puff War [2:25]
Morning Dew [5:00]
New, New Minglewood Blues [2:31]
Viola Lee Blues [10:01]

Liner Notes:

The Grateful Dead formed from elements of San Francisco's burgeoning underground music scene in the early 60's. Guitarist Jerry Garcia had served a stint as a folk and jug band performer; keyboardist Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, rhythm guitarist Bob Weir and drummer Bill Kreutzmann hailed from various rock and R&B club bands; bassist Phil Lesh was a composer of electonic music.

With a sound described as "rolling thunder," the Grateful Dead quickly became favorites on the Bay Area's psychedelic ballroom circuit. In 1967 the band signed to Warner Bors. Records. Their self-titled album was recorded in three days and mixed in one. Produced by Dave Hassinger (who also worked with the Rolling Stones) The Grateful Dead highlighted the band's best in-concert material, including their first single "The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion)."

Other standouts on the LP include Pigpen's signature blues tune, "Good Morning, Little School Girl," the poignant anti-war ballad "Morning Dew," and the pop-flavored "Cold Rain & Snow" and "Cream Puff War."

The album's centerpiece is the mammoth "Viola Lee Blues," clocking in at 10:01. The cut, built around a blues standard, showcases the interplay that proclaimed The Grateful Dead one of the best improvisational groups in rock history.

Credits:

Produced by Dave Hassinger

Arranged by The Grateful Dead

Engineer: Dick Bogert

Cover Design: Mouse Studios. Collage: Kelly

Cover Photo: Herb Greene. Liner Photo: Gene Anthony

San Francisco's Grateful Dead:

Bob Weir, Pigpen, Bill the Drummer, Jerry ("Captain Trips") Garcia, and Phil Lesh