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  • Grateful Dead – History of the Grateful Dead Vol. 1 Bear's Choice (LP Vinyl)
  • Grateful Dead – History of the Grateful Dead Vol. 1 Bear's Choice (LP Vinyl)

Grateful Dead – History of the Grateful Dead Vol. 1 Bear's Choice (LP Vinyl)

$ 29.95
$ 29.95
Est. 1974, Curated by Heads
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Product Details

Released in 1973 and newly reissued on vinyl, Bear's Choice holds a singular place in the Dead's catalog as both a document of Pigpen's irreplaceable presence and a snapshot of the band at the cusp of their most celebrated studio period. The Fillmore East recordings captured here date from February 1970, when the Dead were playing stripped-down acoustic sets alongside their electric material, a short-lived configuration that made these shows especially rare. Owsley's expert ear behind the board gives the sound a warmth and intimacy that feels less like a concert document and more like being in the room.

The Grateful Dead's first true archival album, Bear's Choice, was lovingly produced as a tribute to Pigpen shortly after he passed by none other than the Dead's original soundman and benefactor, Owsley Stanley, aka Bear. 

Drawing from live shows recorded three years earlier by Bear at the Fillmore East in New York City, Bear's Choice captures the Dead at an essential moment of their history, as they were about to record Workingman's Dead (and shortly thereafter, American Beauty), and were transitioning into becoming Americana pioneers, while never losing touch with their psychedelic improvisational roots. 

Three of the eight songs on the album are sung by Pigpen, with Side 1 being the definitive example of early Acoustic Dead, and Side 2 being electric blues and rock & roll, with Pigpen leading the charge on both tracks on the second side.This has been remastered by David Glasser using Plangent Processes from the original analog 2-track tapes recorded live by Bear and has never sounded better.

Tracklist
  1. Katie Mae (Live at The Fillmore, San Francisco, Ca 2/13/70)
  2. Dark Hollow (Live at The Fillmore, San Francisco, Ca 2/14/70)
  3. I've Been All Around This World (Live at The Fillmore, San Francisco, Ca 2/14/70)
  4. Wake Up Little Susie (Live at The Fillmore, San Francisco, Ca 2/13/70)
  5. Black Peter (Live at The Fillmore, San Francisco, Ca 2/13/70)
  6. Smokestack Lightnin' (Live at The Fillmore, San Francisco, Ca 2/13/70)
  7. Hard to Handle (Live at The Fillmore, San Francisco, Ca 2/14/70)

UPC: 603497835492
Label: Grateful Dead / Wea
Release Date: 5.5.23
Format: LP Vinyl