The Best Grateful Dead Albums Ranked

[@backbay2242]

Terrific content thanks. Keith and Donna era is my favorite era.

[@docdeens4030]

I appreciate your take on ranking this catalog, because you were there when it happened. Too many people doing rankings are relying on what other people think is good, which is pointless. Good job, man

[@mazzysmusic]

Thank you 🌸

[@DanSPsych67]

I'll never forget when I heard American beauty for the first time... Cold and snowy day in Wisconsin... I lived in a small town and a friend and myself, had hitch hiked to a bigger town... To record shop.. I carried in my coat all the way home.... Great album and great memory... Peace and love..

[@mazzysmusic]

Nice story ✌🏽

[@thenazarite2444]

I've holidayed in Milwaukee 🤣🤣 Three weeks in total, of MY life

[@growlerthe2nd712]

I’m from England 🇬🇧, you paint a nice picture childhood memories ❤

[@wjstephens4654]

I agree with your #1. My favorite moments are when they are jamming away with Phil Lesh playing a different melodic line altogether rather than merely a supporting bass role - and when you add Bob’s creative rhythm playing and Jerry launching into space, it just doesn’t get better than that.

[@danielwilliams1921]

Owsley's acid was very good, but Nick Sand's Orange Sunshine was epic (and my first hit, back in 1970). I first met Nick in Basel, Switzerland, at Albert Hofmann's 100th birthday party. I did a long interview with Nick on my Opium Den podcast, back in 2009. It was downloaded thousands of times and can be found all over the internet - very much worth a listen. Jury's still out on whether Nick changed the world, but he certainly changed mine. Such a sweet man. As a side note, my wife and I spent a long afternoon with Albert and Anita Hofmann at their Swiss home, in 2003. We were the first non-family/friends to be invited there in over 20 years. A Top 5 day of my life. We spoke of many, many things, and it was awesome. He got me kinda drunk on his homemade plum schnapps, which is a great story for another time.

[@emceesmith6665]

Tell the plum schnapps story now

[@danielwilliams1921]

@@emceesmith6665 My wife and I had to go thru several gatekeepers before getting to Albert’s home: As you can imagine, the LSD old guard and the locals were quite protective of the man. Once we successfully navigated our way, we were picked up by Albert’s personal driver and taken to his home. But I digress. When we reached Basil and I called Albert on the phone - yes, he was listed in the phone book - Anita answered the phone. I introduced myself, saying Albert had been so kind to review the LSD chapter in my 2004 book, The Naked Truth about Drugs, and I hoped to thank him in person for that, and for LSD. Anita’s English wasn’t all that good, so she said “Let me get our man” which I assumed was their caregiver (remember, they were both in their 90s and I didn’t think they were living alone). A man came on the phone and I went thru my pitch again. The man finally interrupted and said, “Um, this is Albert,” before reminding me he was 97 years old and not taking visitors. BuI kept pressing, gently. He was very pleasant but insistent on not having visitors. In desperation I said, “But please, we won’t stay long.” Albert responded, kinda shocked and said, “We?! How many are there?” I said, “Just my wife and I, but she can stay in the car if you want.” Albert found that funny and said, “Okay, I’ll give you twenty minutes.” And that’s when he sent his driver to collect us. All that time I was wondering how best to spend those 20 minutes and fantasized about Albert giving me a bit of his LSD stash. That didn’t happen, of course, but Albert wanted to toast our new friendship and offered us his homemade plum schnapps. He grew the plums on his property and had the schnapps made locally. He even designed the label for the bottles. My dilemma was this: I’m a teetotaler, but it was Albert Hofmann, ya know? And he sure sounded proud of his schnapps. So I said Yes, and he retrieved 3 small water glasses and a fresh bottle of his plum schnapps. He poured three full glasses and we raised them in toast to LSD and our new friendship. My wife is a drinker, but the schnapps had the viscosity of water and tasted like gasoline, so she took just a few sips and politely slid the glass my way. So I drank my glass and hers, and most of a third. Albert drank nearly two glasses himself and we both got pretty buzzed and Albert started telling stories. Wonderful stories. Our 20 minutes turned into nearly 5 hours, and it was the most wonderful and amazing afternoon, one even Alzheimer’s couldn’t tear from my memory. Albert walked us outside to show us his beautiful property and where he, over the years, would take LSD and commune with nature. My sober wife, bless her, asked the one important question my buzzed self failed to ask: When had Albert last taken LSD? Albert’s eyes twinkled and he answered: “A few years ago I took a trace amount, and spent the afternoon walking my property.” And since I knew nobody would believe my story of getting invited to Albert Hofmann’s home, my wife snapped a pic of me giving Albert a kiss on the cheek as we stood outside in his backyard. His wide smile indicated he didn’t mind. He invited us to his 100th birthday party in Basil, which we attended (where I met Nick Sand), and we remained pen pals till his passing in 2008. Albert Hofmann was a very kind, sweet man. And not a day goes by that I don’t reflect upon his great contribution to humanity. I know this was rather long-winded but I couldn’t help it. The afternoon was so remarkable that I just can’t share it in a few words. Hoped you found it interesting!

[@davidbacon6097]

Live/Dead ...an amazing album, but it needs to be heard on CD...one continuous piece of music.

[@growlerthe2nd712]

I have it on CD and it’s wonderful ❤

[@xianshep]

As long as it's the original mix and not the remix of 15 or so years ago, which gives me a headache.

[@SH-ud8wd]

Important ranking: Terrapin Station to me always sounded bombastic, like Wagner in Rock. Workingmans Dead is my favourite album. Or Live Dead. It depends.

[@alt0799]

Fantastic list! 23 y/o new Deadhead here and I've been absolutely binging everything Dead related!

[@RRStout]

Dick's Picks Volume 3: Live in Pembroke Pines, Florida - 5/22/77. Best Dead in my opinion. It doesn't get any better than that. I think 1977 was one of their best touring years. Europe '72 runs a very very close second place for me, and I agree with everything you said about it. Also, Dick's Picks Volume 2 is one of my favorites (even though it's not the complete show). I was at that concert in Columbus, Ohio on Halloween of '71. I guess I also have to add the "Skull and Roses" live LP along with LIVE 1969. I have to say that's my top 5. Love your channel and enjoy most of your videos. Keep up the good work!

[@mazzysmusic]

Thank you. I stayed away from the archive issues this time. 🌸

[@paulmancini3363]

Love that Sugaree and the entire 2nd Set is just amazing - May of 1977 was an epic time for the Band Musically

[@RobertP_1960]

I've only have about 4 of their albums, and a Greatest Hits..but again, you've sparked re intetest in the group for me. Thanks for all your effort to make these almost daily. I don't always comment because I have 5 month old grandbaby sitting on my belly needing constant care..don't know how Mom's do it. Thanks as always. Take care

[@mazzysmusic]

Appreciate it Robert. Commenting or not 🌸

[@Matasky2010]

Perfect timing as I've just really started getting into the Dead within the last 3 months. I've finally begun to appreciate how great they were live, and I don't normally enjoy many live albums- they are an obvious exception.

[@roygoad2870]

It’s amazing that we can listen to 15,635 different performances of 30 years live recordings the Grateful Dead did, 1965-1995 mostly very good quality as well on archive.org

[@ericescott9039]

I had no idea this existed. Thank you for the link!

[@iblamesummers]

16,189

[@lennymarlow6436]

YES! "Europe 72"! I grew up in the Cumberland (Blues) Mountains of East Tennessee (Jed) & wasn't exposed to the Dead until this album came out in my 2nd yr of college. It, definitely, got my musical attention onto the Grateful Dead. Still love that album!

[@sanjaypatil2265]

Simply fantastic..... I have been a Deadhead fan since 1980.... American Beauty was the first one I heard and it's my all time favorite album.... Thanks, it was wonderful listening to you... God bless you... 👍

[@andrewgagnon5001]

I always took a liking to Mydlands voice, especially live! But I can see how some wouldn’t. Loved the list brother 💪

[@izzytoons]

As a matter of fact, Brent's was the only voice to be consistently in tune, night after night. Just A Little Light, Blow Away, and We Can Run are some really good songs. I like Bobby and Jerry's voices a lot, but Bobby was often out of tune and Jerry's voice could often be gravelly or shaky or nasally or otherwise unclear, depending on the night or decade. On studio recordings, however, their voices were pretty much all on the top of their game for every song. Outside of the studio recordings of Unbroken Chain and Box of Rain, Lesh's voice was generally trash IMHO. I never heard him sing any song well in any concert that I attended or listened to on a bootleg.

[@colef6855]

1968-1972 is the "sweet spot" for me as well

[@maskedmarauder3278]

Shout out to Rick Griffin, San Francisco's premier poster, album cover artist. He did several GD album covers.

[@markvanderdrift6801]

Spot on! In reply to the San Francisco Psychedelic Albums ranked video I suggested a Rick Griffin cover art special. Including the albums he only did the lettering for (On the Beach, Late fot the Sky) there are at least 35 album covers to highlight.

[@maskedmarauder3278]

@@markvanderdrift6801 That would be a much prized book in my collection.

[@markvanderdrift6801]

@@maskedmarauder3278 The best actual book on Griffin and his art is Heart and Torch. Although it doesn't include a complete overview of his record covers... www.abebooks.com/Heart-Torch-Rick-Griffins-Transcendence-Harvey/14136654892/bd

[@maskedmarauder3278]

@@markvanderdrift6801 Yes, that is excellent. My copy is trying to separate at the binding. Trying to baby it into lasting. Mouse and Kelley have a similar book from the same publisher. I dig all things Moscoso.

[@freddiemoore9496]

Great ranking! I'm listening almost exclusively to the Dead at the moment (most live stuff) but from the non-retrospective stuff this is my ranking: 1. Live/Dead 2. American Beauty 3. Skull & Roses 4. Europe '72 5. Aoxomoxoa 6. Anthem of the Sun 7. Grateful Dead 8. Blues for Allah 9. Terrapin Station 10. Wake of the Flood 11. From the Mars Hotel 12. Steal Your Face 13. Workingman's Dead

[@mazzysmusic]

Great ranking there ✌🏼

[@jessicarice8653]

@@mazzysmusic yea but ☠and🌹

[@bsmitty3976]

Also notice a lot of knocks in the comments here on the Dead’s vocals. Studio Album vocals are pretty good. People don’t always realize when they toured and they played 3 nights in a row their voices were shot from signing 3 hours the prior 2 nights. Deadheads that saw many shows in a row always knew the 3rd night was not going to be a great vocal night, but the music was still great. Also, Jerry’s voice is perfect for what he does, I wouldn’t want Josh Groban signing instead just because his voice was classically trained. Dylan, Jerry, Springsteen, Neil Young…perfect voices for their style and songs. Jerry wailing on a live ballad like Stella Blue is perfection.

[@growlerthe2nd712]

Basically , the Pigpen years are all you need ❤✌️

[@izzytoons]

So, let me get this straight: Wake of the Flood, From the Mars Hotel, Blues for Allah, Steal Your Face, Terrapin Station, Shakedown Street, Go to Heaven, Reckoning, Dead Set, In the Dark, Built to Last, and Without a Net were all a waste of time. And all those thousands of shows after 1973. Got it.

[@billsmit9141]

NM, this was very helpful as I have many of these LPs on Cd and respect your opinion and now know the ones to focus on. Same with your Stones video. I inherited 15 or so Stones Vinyls and now can dig into several of interest. Funny, not a dead guy or a Stones guy but own a lot of releases. Big Jazz and Blues collection about 5K lps and 4K Cds. Thanks again. Bob-Denver

[@syater]

Toward the end of your list I realized what your #1 was going to be. I haven't listened to that album since the 70s, but as I thought back to then it occurred to me that it probably is the best choice for #1! Nice job Mr Maslov.

[@mazzysmusic]

Thank you. 🌸

[@tkoch19606]

Thanks for doing this. I was 8 when I got turned on to the Dead. Side 4 of Skull & Roses did it for me. Like you, I dig '68-'72 the most. The order of my top 10 and even top 5 Grateful Dead albums changes often throughout the year, but Europe '72 is usually my #1 and Live Dead is almost always in the top 3. About a month ago, I put Blues for Allah on the turntable for the first time in a long time, and I was astounded at how damn good it was. Also, the 50th anniversary 180 g vinyl of Workingman's sounds amazing.

[@jwardbass4452]

Europe 72!!! I completely agree it’s their best. Also their debut is way underrated. Long live Jerry and the Dead ☠️

[@bobbynoe1]

Totally agree with #1 and #2 on your list (#3 would be "Workingman's Dead" for me). "Europe '72" was also a kind of consolation for me because my parents didn't allow me to go to the Grateful Dead concert in Munich on their '72 tour - that depressed me for the long rest of my life. A small (but fine) "substitute" was the 72' 50 year jubilee concert of the Dark Star Orchestra in Munich. They played the complete Munich setlist of the Dead including the two encores in 4 hours, and they played beautifully (samples on my channel). Still, there's nothing like a Grateful Dead concert.

[@davidevans3175]

Request: Mazzy would you please consider doing a live Q&A on the Dead? Your experience with the Dead is like someone who saw The Beatles at the Cavern Club, Germany, Scotland, Shea Stadium, etc.

[@mazzysmusic]

My experience with the dead is what I shared. With all the dead heads knowing every friggen version they played in every night , I think I would sound like an amateur. My love of them is more holistic. Sounds hippy dippy I’m sure Not sure what more I could say. So many Dead Heads are more obsessive than I am 🌸😎✌🏽

[@davidevans3175]

@@mazzysmusic Disappointed. Growing up in New England the Dead might as well have been from Mars. That you were at the flat bed truck concert and saw them at all those historic venues during that historic time is absolutely fascinating. What would you say? You'd answer questions from people like me. I hope you reconsider. Fuck the snobs.

[@williammcdonald4922]

hard to pick at number one between American Beauty and Europe 72. my first year of college was 1972 and this album was on every stereo all across campus! those two records would certainly be my top ones. great video and i love these ranking videos, not a dud amongst them. thanks, Mazzy.

[@Baz63]

I had some of their later albums but since lock-down here in the U.K. i decided to invest in some of the band's back catalogue. Absolutely wonderful and an overall vibe of peace and harmony which is so absent in these troubled times. Many thanks for the education and i will continue to investigate some of the albums you showed that are missing in my collection.

[@andreiferrera9981]

Mazzy, I love your videos! First one I’ve added a comment to, since GD is really my wheelhouse. So it’s true that Thomas Weir took both back cover photos for Anthem and Aoxomoxoa but I don’t think he is any relation to Bob. Although Bob does have a sister, Wendy. Anyway, maybe I’m wrong. More importantly, great list. My #1 is Workingman’s and Wake has also always been in my top 5 for some reason. I love the soft production of that record. Thanks again! Also, I really need to check out this record store day I keep hearing about.

[@mazzysmusic]

Thanks for watching and commenting ✌🏽

[@b.t.c6419]

You think correctly. No relation

[@paulsnith9979]

I'm a veteran from '72. My #1 studio lp is Wake of the Flood. What a breakthough after those 2 folksy lps. For Live lp I am going with Anthem of the Sun.

[@billbez7465]

I have many cassettes of the Grateful Dead music, most of them live. It's time I bring them out and give 'am a re-listen. It's not easy to buy Grateful Dead CDs online because in most cases the disc track listing in not given, so it's unclear which version of the CD you're buying. Thank you for an entertaining and informative video.

[@wangson]

"Dead Set" and "Reconning" are both amazing albums!!

[@samblethen]

Thanks for the great reviews. Perfect take on those albums. I also got all of them as soon as they were originally released. My favorite that I have is Europe 72 the Complete Recordings. Much more immersive than the original release. I first saw them in Boston in 1967 and about 100 times total. I once sat on the stage right in front of Garcia all through the NRPS and Dead concert. I admit that I have about 5,000 Dead boots as well as all released stuff.

[@mazzysmusic]

I know several people with almost that many shows. I have far less ✌🏽

[@doublet630]

....and here I felt privileged to have seen them 5 times (incl a JGB show) from '89-91

[@mikel4797]

A really great start to my Sunday morning. I would love to see you do one on Frank Zappa, Joni Mitchell and Steely Dan.

[@joncaradies3155]

It might have been better to do The best 10 GD studio LPs and the Best 10 GD live LPs ..... Still , I'm with ya ! Great video ..... :D

[@ronbisti4352]

I agree with you. It’s the album that made me fall in love with them. I don’t care that some vocals were redone. It’s still them singing it. The originals from that time period are their best like Jack Straw and Ramble On Rose. I it used on vinyl and it appears it may be an original pressing. Also have it on cd.

[@NickP333]

Can’t believe you saw the “Dead Set” and “Steal Your Face” along with all those other legendary shows. Well, actually, I can. 😜 I really like The Dead a lot, but don’t have a couple of the classic albums. This vid has made me feel the need to rectify that. Great ranking. Thanks, Mazzy! 🎶 Edit: Totally agree with you about the green WB label records. The original green label American Beauty sounds fantastic.

[@maxhirsch7035]

Europe '72 is a great choice for best Dead album because of its amazing strength as a live compilation, featuring both some decent (and even sublime) jamming, plus a wide variety of their classic songs; and compared with Live/Dead, more of a musical range, from one of the Dead's true peak eras.

[@timmy707707]

And the recording is much better. It was my fave for decades but now with all the 1972 live stuff that's out there....I'm not sure anymore.

[@xianshep]

Live Dead and "Skullphuk" (the latter, especially) are much better RECORDINGS than Europe '72. A lot of Europe '72 is absolutely sublime, but it just doesn't sound all that great.

[@casablanca2745]

I’ve been waiting for this one Mazzy, great job!!! Bought 72 when it came out and first saw them in 74 (A Swell Dance Concert) Even painted (crayon) the Ice Cream Kid on a large paper and had it on my bedroom wall I shared with my younger brother. Years later I had the Ice Cream Kid sticker on my very uncool mini van and would always get thumbs up and horn honks from Dead fans. Unfortunately my original copy didn’t survive the carnage of college but have several replacements. Btw, I really like Weir’s new one Blue Mountain. Thanks Bud!

[@doublet630]

Cool video. I largely agree here. For me Mars Hotel stopped me in my tracks in college. Unbrokem Chain to be exact. Ther's where it all began....so it'll always be my #1 of the official releases

[@andylee8596]

Thanks, Mazzy. I always enjoy listening to your ideas and opinions. For me... Best song: Box of Rain Best album: Workingman's Dead I like American Beauty but I think that Workingman's Dead is more consistently wonderful from start to finish.

[@martyhopkirk6826]

Wow! To have seen the Dead at that Haight Street gig! What a memory to have!

[@prdeal]

I so enjoyed that journey through the album history - great ranking. Love the top choice especially the accessibility as an intro album. Dancing in the Street is cringy af! Only disagreement would be that I love Brent songs. Great stuff. Thanks!

[@presidentlesh6284]

Mazzy!! Aoxomaxoa,American Beauty, Workingmans Dead,And Mars Hotel are my go too's. Dozing at the Knack I was at night 2 up in Albany. That's my favorite live album by them even though they took songs from the 3 shows

[@michellequinn3122]

I am learning so much I did not know the Grateful Dead work definitely going to check their music out

[@kzustang]

Great list and you hit my taste on the 68 72 period. The Europe 72 is my no. 1 too. Specifically the enhanced version which has some of their best songs in their best form and lineup and the best performances. It also has a great live video version on YT which is amazing and inspiring to watch. I also absolutely love their 1967 debut album.

[@davidevans3175]

I'm very impressed that you put Europe '72 at #1. Just looking at that cover and the memories flood in.

[@cosmonaut9942]

Thank you for your focus on the Grateful Dead, the best American band in the 20th century. In a hundred years I think that Hunter/Garcia will be thought of as equal to Lennon/McCartney. I'm an old geezer too and saw most of the shows you mention. Initially, as a kid, I liked the Jefferson Airplane more than the Dead. But, after I saw the Dead a few times in '69 and '70, I was totally gone. I'm in Sonoma County and saw all of the epic bay area shows since 1969. The last show I saw was in '95, a month before Jerry died. Through my career, I got to know all of those guys and their family. I often had lunch with Jerry in Sebastopol, especially after his coma when he was trying to get healthy. I miss Jerry every day.

[@jasonelwoodphoto]

Great video! You absolutely must have Dead Set. It shreds. There is some amazing music on those records and it just sounds awesome. I place it in my top 5. Also I don’t hate Go To Heaven. I think there is a lot of beautiful music on that record. People that have passed it over because of the cover or whatever should revisit this record. And this is coming from someone who loves the early seventies stuff.

[@bhdctn]

Thank you VERY MUCH for your critic. I was always a New Wave/ Punk/ Indie Alt Rock man myself but I had a roommate 2nd year in college who was a bit of a Dead Head and I really enjoyed smoking pot and listening to American Beuty. He kept telling me I should check out Europe 72 but I never did. I'm definitely going to check out 72 right now! For the Dead Heads here please give Roxy Music a chance in you haven't already. Their first 5 albums are great listens and if your a music nerd who likes the Dead, Roxy Music will be your friend ❤

[@mazzysmusic]

I love all the Roxy albums too ✌🏼

[@DavidMFChapman]

In the early 70s I worked in an alternative bookstore in Ottawa associated with an “underground” newspaper. We used to get those free promo records intended for review, but Customs would hold them for import duty. No one was interested in them, so I would take the noticed to the post office and pick up random records for just a couple bucks. That’s how I got Bear’s Choice!

[@petejp1]

Everyone has their favorites, I would have moved a couple up or down but otherwise pretty spot on. I would like to see your Jefferson Airplane album rankings if you haven't already done one.

[@mazzysmusic]

I’ve shown my JA collection but haven’t done a ranking yet. . kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5jCp3yFbrdnrZI

[@StanKindly]

Ripple is one my top ten best songs ever written. Garcia/Hunter 💞

[@Lowtech14]

Fun and informative video. I’m a narrow minded Dead fan. I’m down w ‘68-‘72 being their heyday, but would tweak it to ‘67-‘71! And you know the saying, “good double album, would’ve been a great single album?” Europe ‘72 is like that for me, would have been a great 3 sided album

[@jtsrecordroom3963]

Agree with your picks.. Dylan and the Dead... dead last !! And good going on getting the live albums way up on the list, with Europe '72 being their best LP...

[@alembic65]

On the other hand, give a listen to the Dylan+Dead rehearsal tapes before that disappointing tour---much better. Also, the Dylan show from Warfield Theatre 1980 with Jerry sitting in.

[@petercollins5861]

Re: that cool photo on the back of Aoxomoxoa, and you probably know this, the fellow at the very back with his arm on the horse's neck is Vince Guaraldi. Knowing that has me rethinking all of the association between Grateful Dead and the Peanuts comics over the years. and Pigpen right in front.

[@eightrodway]

Agreed about the Warner's green labels. I was listening to my 1st press Workingman's Dead yesterday. Fantastic sound, and my favorite Dead album, just nosing out Aoxomoxoa, Live/Dead, and American Beauty.

[@kevinjones9685]

Reckoning is stellar for sure. Possibly their best live record

[@daveyboy8907]

Always been my favorite

[@wangson]

Oh no Kevin, Live Dead is easily their best live record! The St. Stephen/The Eleven/Turn On Your Lovelight...is humanity evolving towards the next step dude!!!

[@peacesunmeadowohyes4334]

reckoning is a masterpiece

[@xianshep]

@@wangson He said "possibly" their best - and it indeed may rank in the top two since it's also overdub-free (unlike Europe '72 and "Skullphuk").

[@peacesunmeadowohyes4334]

Great ranking!!! I totally agree with you about the green label Warner Bros pressings - way, way better than any of the reissues. Fantastic stuff and thank you for sharing your rankings of the Dead.

[@whitey7998]

Really enjoyed this Mazzy. Not very familiar with a lot of the Dead stuff. Following this, played Workingmans Dead this morning for the first time. Your description was spot on and it’s something I would definitely enjoy. Thank you

[@mazzysmusic]

If you like Workingmans you should like American Beauty

[@whitey7998]

@@mazzysmusic well just to give you an update. I’ve bought both 50th anniversary editions on cd of Workingmans and American Beauty. Thanks for exposing me to the band and educating me. 😁

[@mazzysmusic]

@@whitey7998 🥀🌹✌🏽

[@mrg1911]

Europe 72' is their best effort I believe..... "I know you rider, gonna miss me when I'm gone!" Haha!

[@duckbrew]

Nice comp. Who the Dead really needed in the singing keyboardist dept was Bobby Whitlock from Derick and the Dominos. He may have been a wee too soulful for that unit tho.

[@mazzysmusic]

Oh yeah. That would have made for a really cool groove. 🌸

[@toddvoss52]

Clapton should have brought Bobby back when Clapton re -merged in the mid 1970’s

[@jammun1time1]

Living in Wyoming, I wasn't exactly familiar with the Dead. I'd heard the first album and considered it probably just okay. Certainly not up there with Surrealistic Pillow. When I was in high school I bought Workingman's Dead. I wondered where is the rock and roll? (To be honest, I was probably more of a Humble Pie or James Gang fan at the time.) When I was in college and heard American Beauty, I suddenly got it. Most of my vinyl is long gone, but I still have The Golden Road box set on CD and it goes into the player far more than I would have imagined back in 1970. Lotta great music, once you choose to hear, not just listen.

[@mazzysmusic]

That CD set it great. Getting into the dead is an acquired taste for some but when it hits you it can’t be pretty enjoyable ✌🏽

[@brkly99]

I had not paid much attention to the Grateful Dead, but then got the record store day box set of the Paris concert. Fantastic! Now I get it

[@Warp75]

I found the Long Strange Trip soundtrack a great introduction to the band.

[@theeleven1700]

Great review of epic albums! I first saw them 3/1/69 so I agree that for me their best era was 69-72. The band had a youthful energy and a cosmic mystique combined with a blossoming of their creativity and musicianship. But as the saying goes “ it’s all good”. GOOD OL’ GRATEFUL DEAD!

[@michaelpdawson]

Good list! Dylan & the Dead has to be the prime example of the whole being less than the sum of its parts. I would have put Terrapin and Allah much higher; I like the proggy side of the Dead that peeps through on those albums. Aoxomoxoa is my personal #1. Cheers!

[@GlenKellawayfromthebasement]

Mazzy..really looking forward to this one..The Dead and Airplane are my favs as well..Always enjoy hearing about your memories if the times..American Beauty is my number one..Love Europe 72 though..loved this video..thank you.❤️❤️👍👍🍸🍸glen

[@goodtimefolkrock]

Im generally in agreement with some exceptions my top 3 are Workingmans -American beauty -first album and then everything in the order you chose .....thanks for this great vid......btw reckoning and bears choice are both stunning lps and have played them many many times .....had bears on 8 Track .....if that's any indication of how long i loved that release

[@MJP3055]

LOVE the debut LP - I saw them play The Golden Road at my Nor. Cal. High School

[@mazzysmusic]

Yeah all the SF bands played some high school gigs. Good stuff.

[@BellTunnel]

Would love your ranking of officially released live vinyl, e.g. RSD Cornell ‘77, Dick’s Picks, etc. Thanks for this video.

[@JIM87ification]

excellent video. I agree with your choices. My top 5 would be American Beauty Grateful Dead -debut album Skull and Roses In the Dark Europe 72

[@kevinhasslen4245]

'68 '72 is my favorite period as well.

[@mikel5582]

Although I love Brent Mydland, I agree that his songs on Go To Heaven and In the Dark are tough to listen to. But he hit his stride on Built to Last, which I think is a pretty good album. If they had added Believe It Or Not on there it would be even better. That's a wonderful Jerry ballad played only a handful of times live. All of Brent's four songs in that album are really good in my opinion. Interesting rankings as we're used to getting from the great Mazzy. Workingman's Dead is my favorite. Side 1 and the first half of side 2 are near perfection to my ears.

[@cerneuffington2656]

I think Easy To Love You should have been released as a single 🙂

[@thelatenightbar]

Skull and Roses, Europe 72, American Beauty, WorkingMan's Dead, Reckoning, I would never try to put these in any order.. but always at the top of my lists.

[@TheRachelal8na]

Having experienced the Grateful Dead a few dozen times from 1968 on, I have to concur with you about your remarks about the Anthem of the Sun album, not so much about the songs or the recording, but about the personnel, specifically Tom Constanten. The first two times I saw them at the Fillmore East, in May, 1968 and February, 1969 he was part of the band, and I agree that his sonic palette took their psychedelic flavor into a unique mystical realm. I saw them every time they came to the Fillmore, and while I delighted in hour long Dark Stars, and the famous Grateful Dead/Allman Brothers show, I always missed Tom's contribution. My one consultation was seeing the performance of Tarot at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, where Tom and some other Bay area musicians provided the musical score. That was a very magical night...

[@melprophet1936]

Saw Grateful Dead live 18 times, the first being during their 8 show run at Radio City and never after Jerry died....Their catalogue of studio albums gets overlooked a bit in my opinion. A lot of really good music there.

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Enjoyed this video Mazzy (as I do many of them). I've never got The Grateful Dead. A brother of mine has been a longtime fan and has often recommended I give them time. I bought 'The Golden Road' box set, and have several other CDs and vinyl albums picked-up along the way. Every now and again something like your ranking video will inspire me to try yet again to 'get into' them. I want to like the 'Dark Star'-type experimentation, but have continued to struggle with that style. easier on the ear has been 'Workingman's Dead' and 'American Beauty' but even then the quality of the vocals is just too ragged for my taste. Following your video, I'm back playing some of their albums. I'm going to keep trying, although my better self keeps telling me I should give up and sell what I have. 🤔

[@johnunderwood3132]

It was really cool listening to you, thank you

[@brianmedeiros6845]

This was a great ranking. It’s nice to have original records. Unfortunately at the record store the original inner sleeves etc. are sometimes missing. But did manage to add a few titles to my collection including a mint promo copy of Bears Choice. The record store also has a self titled being advertised as cleanest copy they have ever seen in 25 years 199.00 on Discogs seems high? Thank You

[@jeremyarcher289]

Great Video! Love GD as well! My favorite studio albums are Terrapin, Blues for A, Shakedown, Built to last & In the Dark. I prefer Donna era and Brent era the best! Favorite live albums definitely “Live without a net” & “one from the vault” and “Dead Set”👍

[@PoundMountain]

Brokedown Palace is my favorite American Beauty track and you didn’t mention it 🤯✌🏻❤️

[@ChordtoChord]

I have no problem with the overdubbing of the vocals on "Europe 72". Their big weakness was always the vocals. Garcia, Weir and McKernan were just okay. (They should have poached Dino Valenti from Quicksilver.) And I'm sure the live setting made it hard to nail the vocals. Plus the overdubbing is perfect. I would have never known they had done that by listening to the album.

[@fcamiola]

Lots of reverb on the vocals if you listen carefully. But its spot on!

[@xianshep]

'Go To Heaven' is, yet again, completely unfairly maligned and underrated. Beyond the fact that Althea straight through Saint of Circumstance makes for a little EP of perfection, the recording quality and mix is excellent, production spare, and the playing is among the best they ever achieved in the studio - with Jerry particularly shining for perhaps the last time before his gradual 15-year decline. I've long thought people couldn't see past the cover, and your review somewhat confirms this.

[@paulsnith9979]

Saw them first breakout these songs LIVE in Nov.79 in Philly. My best show. I explored a weak boot of show days later recorded by friends micro cassette recorder.

[@brentdelaurentis8114]

Go to Heaven second side is my wake up record a great way to start the day

[@oldestgamer]

Your list is pretty on-point to mine as well, guess we have similar taste! And while I get that you didn't want to include the many, MANY live sets, two in particular rise to the level of the top 5, if not the top two, and that would be Sunshine Daydream and The Grateful Dead movie. Both are superior to E'72, which is one of my fav albums.

[@cerneuffington2656]

Sunshine Daydream is essential live Dead. The CD version includes a DVD of the film. I also love some of the offshoot albums - Bob Weir: Ace, JGB: Cats Under The Stars, Keith & Donna...

[@garrettmcnabb8471]

Great video, Mazzy! And I concur whole-heartedly about the WB Green labels. There's nothing like them. Aside from the sound, they just LOOK tough! Cheers!

[@mazzysmusic]

They are fabulous ✌🏽

[@richardfinlayson1524]

A plethora,that's an understatement,lol.I love the Dead, good on you Mazzy, take it easy mate.

[@coyi51]

I had never heard anything by them until 71, when I heard Dark Star from Live Dead at a friends and bought the album in my lunch hour the day, then started hunting down the rest. Live Dead would be my number one, for without the Dead might have just been off my radar.

[@edwardgonczy3170]

"Working Man's Dead" was the game changer for Grateful Dead. It was the LP that won the day for them at Warner Brother's. The executives were not happy with their LP sales and money generated accordingly- the advanced pressing of this LP came to the execs and the person who was most in their camp listened to it. Reportedly for the first few seconds, he thought it might be a joke prefacing something more avant-garde psychedelic. He quickly realized they were dead serious (no pun intended) and as the LP continued he literally stood up and cheered as it came to a close. "They've done it. They've hit the ball out of the park." I was a fan from the former summer with the release of "Aoxomoxoa" and "Live/Dead" and having seen them - when this came out I sort of chided my friends who were fans of CSN&Y and said: "see, they can do this as well." It convinced many of those same friends to go see them with me at the Fabled Fillmore East and I suddenly became point man on what was worth listening to (with regards to many bands). It was a good year.

[@JackCerro]

Seeing that Doc Watson Bears Sonic Journal disc on your wall gives me an itch. Need it.

[@kevinjones9685]

Steal Your Face is rough, however the album reissue from from the vinyl boxset in 2018 or 2019 is spectacular. If I had to put a number 1 I'd actually place In The Dark right up there with American Beauty and Workingmans

[@hashburystumble8808]

Steal Your Face (dbl album) in the UK also came with a 3rd compilation of solo & GD album tracks called "For Dead Heads"

[@maheiherp]

this is just great, Mazzy!

[@mazzysmusic]

Thank you 🌸

[@themagdude]

Thanks for simply mentioning Donna Jean Godchaux’ beautiful singing in the last minutes of your fine countdown.

[@rickhager3288]

Hey Mazzy, really enjoyed this. My comments: Dylan & the Dead (agree - a disaster for both artists) Go to Heaven (well, “Alabama Getaway” is good at least) Steal Your Face (I like this more than you do) Terrapin Station (I love “Passenger”…) In the Dark (oh yeah, forgot about the singing marionettes!!!… I don’t like Brent either…. at all, but R.I.P.) Without a Net Blues for Allah (good…but “meh….” so I'd have this in the second tier too) Reckoning (I think “Cassidy” is fantastic here…. And this is the one GD record that I picked out to turn a curious non-fan onto - he loved it!) Bear’s Choice Vol. 1 Wake of the Flood (have to listen again to this overlooked album) Anthem of the Sun (yeah, this one is "out there"… the Wikipedia write up is good on this - and all their LP’s) From the Mars Hotel (oh yeah, I see the embossed cover! Hotel now torn down, as you well know) The Grateful Dead (yep, great debut. Oh, Captain my Captain) Skull & Roses (Grateful Dead) Workingman’s Dead (at # 5 - okay, and you of course know that many think this is # 1 or 2, but what a year ’70…) Aoxomoxoa (I pronounce this “ox-oh-mox-zoa” but I digress… what a fantastic album. Wikipedia says hidden message in the cover text - Grateful Dead can be read as “We Ate the Acid”) Live Dead (yep, fantastic) American Beauty (can’t argue with this at 2, what a great, great album) Europe ’72 (no argument here either - probably at the height of their powers here) So wow! What a wonderful video post here. Thanks, and Peace Out.

[@Soundbrigade]

I have only three albums 8n my collection among them Aoxomoxoa, which don’t really like. Or maybe it’s not my kind of stuff. However I love Skulls & Roses and Live/Dead. If I ever get to learn to play my kit-built Stratavarius, I will spend evenings playing Dark Star ….. Interesting presentation, btw. Thumbs up!

[@mazzysmusic]

Thank you ✌🏼

[@Oakenshield69]

Next up - Dick's Picks ranking 1-36? LOL! Agreed on Dylan & the Dead. When listening to shows, I never touch those shows. In The Dark, I'll never tire of. Great record. WAN is fantastic. (Also I'm a huge Brent fan so that era is the shit for me) Sadly he had passed when I finally got to see them in Stockholm. Flood/Mars Hotel/Blues, all great. Not a fan of their first though, that's a big clunker for me. Looked forward to this one, enjoyed it! Thanks Mazzy!

[@bonnieowen3025]

Love Gerry on steel guitar like with New Riders, Blows Against the Empire etc. Live Dead,Anthem for the Sun, Workingmans Dead. Saw them in the Yale Bowel,New Haven,Ct. early seventies. Ended in a riot with burning cop cars. Ahh the good old days!

[@RN-wn8qx]

I had the exact same experience w/ Dylan & the Dead, great anticipation then... WTF? Re-played it years later and, yeah that sucks. Also, the story I heard about the track "What's become of the Baby" was that Hendrix was supposed to record a song with them, but then didn't show up! So Jerry had this space/jam whatever, and they used that to fill the slot, sort of a throw away. Bit of trivia: that was one of three songs they recorded but never played live.