Where to go from the Mars Hotel?

Graeme,

Check this thread out.

https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/7902617950691301

Stu.

I think it was in the other thread but for me, the two desert island GD discs would be firstly a remastered copy of "American Beauty" and then "Wake of The Flood" which bridges the gap in styles between "AB" and the later stuff. 

"Reckoning" has appeared in many lists as a great recording to show off and test one's kit but I prefer my Dead tracks as they were originally laid down so to speak.

Now, if I could only take ONE TRACK, I would cheat and take the whole side of "Terrapin Station" consisting of parts 1 - 6 or whatever.

Ron

> what is their best stuff

What an easy question

Anthem of the Sun

Thanks very much!

Wake of the Flood would be a logical [backwards] progression.

Blues For Allah was the next album if memory serves.

Both great.

Listened to Europe '72, Vol. 2 over the last couple of nights.

Excellent sound quality.  A "best of" song list from multiple shows, but yet, the album plays like one (really good, long, cohesive) concert.

A notch above the best of Dick's Picks, IMO, and a "must have" for Deadheads.

Hook

Just ordered 'Live Dead' and 'American Beauty' .....this could get addictive!

Go for it Graeme!

Also, most of Garcia's solo albums are very good as well.   This one was his first:

It came out in 1972, was simply titled "Garcia".  It featured many songs that would later become regulars at Dead shows (Sugaree, Deal, Loser, To Lay Me Down, etc.).

Highly recommended!

Hook

And I'm still a HUGE fan of the "One From the Vault" disc that apparently is now out of print.  The musical intricacy of the Blues for Allah music (Help on the Way, Slipknot, Franklin's Tower) as recorded live on that release is just amazing imho.

Yes good albums, but the best is still to come 

Beyond Description 1973-1989.  This is a box set which has all of the later albums that I care about.  But it omits American Beauty and Workingman's Dead which is in the previous box set.  Check out In The Dark.  It is one of my favorites.   Also try Dead Set and Reckoning.   Mars Hotel is also in the box.  Get the whole box and you won't be sorry.  

http://www.amazon.com/Grateful...317351091&sr=8-1

As we are going off on some tangents, other "solo" albums in my pile include:-

Mickey Harts "Rolling Thunder"

Bob Weir's "Ace"

Both contain concert favourites and many members of not only the GD but some big hitting names from their extended West Coast family.

Now where's my less played copy of "Seastones"? 

Have a good weekend

Ron

OK, OK, Guido....'Anthem' now ordered!

Hope you enjoy it