Grateful Dead From The Mars Hotel: Expanded & Remastered CD

FROM THE MARS HOTEL is immediately distinguished by the beautiful, futuristic Kelly/Mouse cover with its lonely hotel and backward lettering, but the music inside has plenty to offer as well. Some of the Grateful Dead's long-standing live favorites are on this fine studio effort, including the danceable jam "Scarlet Begonias" and the infectious "Loose Lucy."

The beautiful "Ship of Fools" and Jerry Garcia's tender ballad "China Doll" are offset by the jazzy "Unbroken Chain," which showcases the exploratory instrumental prowess of the band. Though not necessarily a Dead essential, this is a mellow and beautifully articulate record that still retains shades of the folksy, rootsy influence left over from their landmark AMERICAN BEAUTY.

The Grateful Dead made their reputation on the road with their live shows, and they always struggled to capture that magic in the studio. From the Mars Hotel, while not a classic, represents one of their better studio albums. Jerry Garcia sounds engaged throughout and takes the vocal reigns for most of the songs on the album -- although he's not the most gifted vocalist, he proves himself able and versatile. He sings the rollicking opener, "U.S. Blues," with a tongue-in-cheek seriousness that gives the political song an edge, and he lends emotional sincerity to the atmospheric ballad "China Doll." Garcia shines on guitar during the funk workout "Scarlet Begonias," but the ensemble work is best displayed on the album's centerpiece, "Unbroken Chain." During this song, all the musicians are allowed to shine: Phil Lesh, the bassist and songwriter, provides tender vocals over a piano-based arrangement while the bridge allows the guitars and drums to stretch out in classic Grateful Dead style. This album is highly recommended for fans, but casual listeners should start with American Beauty or Workingman's Dead. [In 2004, Rhino released a remastered, expanded edition of From the Mars Hotel as part of the exhaustive 12-disc box Beyond Description (1973-1989); in 2006, this expanded CD was released separately. The expanded disc contained seven bonus tracks: an alternate studio outtake of "Loose Lucy"; live versions of "Scarlet Begonias," "Money Money," "Wave That Flag," and Chuck Berry's "Let It Rock"; and studio acoustic demos of "Pride of Cucamonga" and "Unbroken Chain."] ~ Vik Iyengar

Audio Mixer: Tom Flye.

Liner Note Author: Joel Selvin.

Recording information: Jai-Alai Fronton, Miami, FL; PNE Coliseum, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Record Plant, Sausalito, CA; Springfiled Civic Center Arena, Springfield, MA; Winterland, San Francisco, CA.

Photographers: Richard Pechner; Ed Perlstein; Bruce Polonsky.

Grateful Dead: Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir (vocals, guitar); Phil Lesh (vocals, bass instrument); Keith Godchaux (harpsichord, keyboards); Bill Kreutzmann (drums); Donna Jean Godchaux (background vocals).

Personnel: Ned Lagin (synthesizer).

Additional personnel: John McFee (pedal steel guitar); Ned Lagin.