AMERICAN BEAUTY was an instant classic when it was first released November of 1970. It is among the most satisfying and enduring of the Grateful Dead's studio recordings, expanding as it does on the engaging mix of country, blues, and folk materials they first coined earlier in the year with WORKINGMAN'S DEAD.
The musical vision of the Dead is more sharply focused on AMERICAN BEAUTY--from the serene reflection and compassion of the opening "Box Of Rain" and the earthy mysticism of "Ripple," to the sensual rock of "Sugar Magnolia" and the anthemic proto-boogie of the closing "Truckin'." But then, every tune on AMERICAN BEAUTY has attained a classic resonance, both from decades of steady airplay, and the way the Dead seemed to continually revive these popular standards for their concert repertoire.
Also available with WORKINGMAN'S DEAD on one cassette.
Grateful Dead: Jerry Garcia (vocals, guitar, pedal steel guitar, piano); Phil Lesh (vocals, guitar, piano, bass instrument); Bob Weir (vocals, guitar); Ron "Pigpen" McKernan (vocals, harmonica); Bill Kreutzmann (drums); Mickey Hart (percussion).
Additional personnel: Dave Nelson (electric guitar); David Grisman (mandolin); Howard Wales (piano, organ); Ned Lagin (piano); Dave Torbert (bass instrument); New Riders of the Purple Sage.
Rolling Stone (12/24/70, p.52) - "...the album is American beauty of the best possible kind....A complete contentment shines through the vocal work....The instrumentation is rich with sound that moves through, under and into the listener..." Mojo (Publisher) (p.153) - "It's a near perfect set of songs, most becoming mainstays of their repertoire."
An American Classic!!! Despite the fact that this album, coupled with "Workingman's Dead" are the two most commercially accessible albums by the Dead, this is a must for any fan of the Dead, classic rock, folk rock, or even the roots-rock movement of today. With quasi-bluegrass ("Friend of the Devil")mixed with a twinge of folk ("Ripple"), sentimental ballads ("Brokedown Palace"), and introspective rock ("Box of Rain", "Operator"), this album is a true statement of the times and the freedomm inherent in the American experience. A great listen on a road trip. Submitted by sobota (Naperville, IL) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
American Beauty American Beauty, is, arguably the Dead's best album, definately, among the top 3 very best. Each song on the album is exellent, and each song is in such an order that, not only does the entire album have a smooth feel, it almost begs to be played over and over again. The album contains some of the Dead's very best songs, Phill Lesh's masterpeice "Box Of Rain", starts the album followed by "Friend Of The Devil" the sad tail of a man on the run, "Sugar Magnolia" is a wonderful song, and even better played live, and "Candyman" is the perfict song to end the first side of the record, "Ripple", with it's folkish tune, and wonderful lyrics is the perfict tune to open side two, and the album ends with "Truckin'" probably the Dead's most famous song. Submitted by a reviewer (Vancouver BC) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 0 of 3 found this helpful.
Entry Level Dead 2 vinyls, 3 cassettes, and the third CD, it was my first Dead album and my favorite, along with my favorite live album, One From the Vault. This album has great selections that hang together and some of their best harmonies. Submitted by a reviewer (South Pasadena, CA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 4 of 4 found this helpful. This review is for a different format.
great cd and wonderful cover album A nice country west coast album..one of best grateful dead work Submitted by ianniello.eboq (castelforte,lt,italy) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo This review is for a different format.
American Beauty This album is American beauty and nothing else. Submitted by willruddock (Half Moon Bay, CA, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo This review is for a different format.
An American Classic!!!
great cd and wonderful cover album
Share this Product