American Beauty

by

Grateful Dead

Edit

The Grateful Dead's first four albums earned them the reputation of being another jam-oriented, hippy-trippy band from San Francisco. But their two classic albums from 1970--WORKINGMAN'S DEAD and AMERICAN BEAUTY--showcased their strong songwriting talents and their country, folk and bluegrass roots. The album prominently features Garcia's pedal steel playing--there is not a single Garcia guitar solo to be found anywhere!--and friend David Grisman adds mandolin on "Friend of the Devil" and "Ripple." Songs like "Sugar Magnolia," "Friend of the Devil" and "Truckin'" became permanent fixtures in their live shows.

This HDCD remastered edition by Rhino is the same one that was included as part of the 2001 box set THE GOLDEN ROAD. As such it is packed with with nearly forty minutes of bonus material, including the single version of "Truckin'" (which peaked at No. 64, making it the highest charting single of their career until "Touch of Grey" went Top 10 in 1987), as well as five live songs from various concerts from 1970: "Friend of the Devil," "Candyman," "Till the Morning Comes," "Attics of My Life" and "Truckin'." There are also two hidden tracks: a live version of "Ripple" and a hilarious 60-second radio spot promoting the Dead's then new album, which encourages listeners to buy the record and "make their duck a grateful duck."

In addition, there are some terrific photos included with the 16-page booklet along with an essay by Deadhead David Gans, who wrote last year's "Conversations with the Dead: The Grateful Dead Interview Book."

While there are several live albums available that would give you a broader view of the Grateful Dead, this album along with WORKINGMAN'S DEAD are the finest studio albums of their storied career and belongs in any serious music fan's collection [Total running time: 79:56] ESSENTIAL

American Beauty - The Grateful Dead (2.5 stars)

Original Release: 11/1/1970

Songs:

Box of Rain (3 stars)

Loose playing rolls along like a river after rain in the hills. The lyrics ask what one can do to help another through the illusion of life created by ourselves. The song builds very subtly in the brief bridge in the middle but goes no further. There is almost a nervous energy, but not quite.

Friend of the Devil (3 stars)

Singer sounds like a character from a John Steinbeck or the character "Behind Blue Eyes"; someone always on the run maintaining a sense of self-sympathy. Folksy guitar and instruments just dance out the notes. It is interesting listening to the lyrical protagonist's issues and his casual acceptance of it all.

Sugar Magnolia (2 stars)

Is this about a woman or a mood-modifying substance? I suppose an artist's goal is to let the listener decide. Nice imagery and a slight boogie to the rhythm on this song.

Operator (2 stars)

Man desperately trying to drop a line to a woman going her own way; in this day of cellphones and facebook this wouldn't be such a problem. The song sounds like a traditional country or folk song.

Candy Man (2 stars)

Slowing down the tempo a notch, there is a slight swing to the melody. Gambler passes through town. Men are drawn by lady luck; women are drawn to the traveller. Life is a series of random events for the rambler, occassional urge to violence. The candy is the chance to win just once I suppose or a metaphor for the effects of cocaine. Instrumental section brings a plaintive guitar and a limp into a minor key at places.

Ripple (3 stars)

Interesting song to set against ELP's Take a Pebble (albums released in close proximity). Here, the individual's path is his own. The message complements the passive lecture of "Box of Rain". Water seems to be a metaphor for the pain and suffering that is part of our lives. The song ends with a small crowd singing in the background.

Brokedown Palace (2 stars)

Lyrics speak metaphorically of the body and the river as the means to finally wash that body away. The river sings a heavenly song; the river is home. Loose piano and vocals make the melody twist and turn gently like a river, a mood/mode that is prevalent throughout the album.

Till the Morning Comes (2 stars)

This is a more upbeat song asking a woman to let go of her worrying it seems. The rhythm sports a slight funk.

Attics of My Life (3 stars)

This song is much slower and almost like a chant. At one point the melody skips a beat...was this a purposeful mistake? The lyrics suggest that there is something that one can call upon when one can't find what is wanted in one's self. The vocals are hypnotic as is the pace of the song.

Truckin' (3 stars)

Sounds like a catalog of various experiences, often not pleasant, that the band accumulated from touring around the country. I'm not at all familiar with the band's history, but I can see from the song that they felt hounded at times. This song features more aggressive guitar playing over a shuffle.

Album:

Although I am a fan of some of the Grateful Dead's music I am not a fan of this popular album. I do not know what attracts people to this pleasant though "plain" music. There is mystery in the lyrics and interesting chord progressions but they pass like a brief summer breeze. The album consists of loosely played pop country songs with a lightly infectious quality. Overall the album's tone acts like a mild depressant. The samples will tell it all here, you like the mood or you don't.

MP3 recommendation:

These are the songs that I preferred.

Better Half (3 stars)

1. Box of Rain (3 stars)

2. Friend of the Devil (3 stars)

3. Ripples (3 stars)

4. Attics of My Life (3 stars)

5. Truckin' (3 stars)