Grateful Dead – Long Strange Trip: The Untold Story of the Grateful Dead (2-LP Soundtrack)

Read our review of Grateful Dead's Long Strange Trip: The Untold Story of the Grateful Dead from August 2017 on Relix.com.

Pressed on double vinyl, the Long Strange Trip soundtrack accompanies Amir Bar-Lev's acclaimed 2017 documentary about the Grateful Dead's complete history. Unlike the expanded 4-LP version that includes deeper cuts and rarities, this 2-LP edition focuses on essential tracks that trace the Dead's evolution from acid-test pranksters to arena legends. The compilation balances studio recordings with live performances, capturing the full spectrum of the Dead's approach while serving as both soundtrack and standalone overview of their 30-year career.

The tracklist follows the documentary's narrative arc, with selections chosen to illustrate specific moments and periods rather than just presenting hits. Early psychedelic material sits alongside the roots-rock focus of American Beauty and Workingman's Dead, mid-1970s improvisational peaks, and later-era performances that show the band maintaining creative energy into their final years. The sequencing creates context, with each track serving the larger story of how the Dead became a cultural phenomenon while remaining musically adventurous.

What makes this 2-LP soundtrack valuable is how it provides both an introduction for newcomers (through the documentary context) and a curated overview for established fans. The double vinyl format allows the compilation to breathe across four sides, with selections that honor the Dead's diversity—not just the jammy improvisations or the accessible songs, but the full range of their musical identity. For listeners discovering the Dead through the documentary, this soundtrack serves as the ideal starting point.

Double LP vinyl. Soundtrack to 2017 documentary. Curated overview of 30-year career. Studio and live tracks following documentary narrative.