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122 of 127 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Maybe the place to start..., September 28, 2003
I have been a Deadhead for around 25 years. Any respectable Deadhead knows that you don't buy a Dead "best of", yet in this case I did. I own a nearly complete Dead collection. I am only missing "best ofs" & a couple of titles I just didn't care for. I have complete "Dicks Picks", "Vault collections" Hours of boot legs...why would I want this? I ignored it when it was first released and then realized that it contained exactly what I play when I am trying to turn "newbies" on to the band. Granted they are not the superior live versions, but the studio versions (which must be respected because they serve as the Skelton for the live body of work...OK, you can groan now). Anyway, I have found through the years that people not familiar with the band seem more accepting of the studio work when they are 1st adjusting to the Dead sound.
The collection itself draws largely from "American Beauty" (5 songs)which is the Studio Dead at it's acoustic best. Add "Eyes Of the world", "Fire on the Mountain" "Sugar Mag", "Franklins Tower" and "the Music Never Stopped" and you can't go wrong. Yes, there are numerous songs that could have been put on this, but this serves as a sample from which to grow from. As w/ any Rhino release, the sound and package are exquisite. If you like what you hear here then it's time for you to start exploring the many live releases.
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18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great place to start with a band that made history..., June 30, 2006
In my opinion, only a handful of bands in history deserve a compilation that includes the words, "The Very Best of" in their title (to this day it is overused), but ignoring that fact, the Grateful Dead are certainly one of them. Here you get seventeen tracks, filling up almost 80 minutes of their music. When I first got this a couple of summers ago, I gave it a good listen and loved it.
Pros:
A lot of good things can be said about this CD. The music, compilation itself, artwork, photos, liner notes, etc. are all very well done. It even gives you a discography and complete list of band members! Talk about a good way to keep yourself busy for a while. They also give you an order form for Dead merchandise.
Cons:
In terms of the music, none, but then again, no complaints in general. Deadheads could probably think of a couple of tracks to add here (Dark Star, Wharf Rat) but if that was the case, this would have to lead to be a dual-disc compilation. Still, as a single-disc, this is near-perfect.
Standout/ Favorite Tracks Of Mine:
"Truckin'": Fantastic Dead track, filled with great music and lyrics, of course, one of the famous "American Beauty" tracks. What's ironic about this song is that while it's the opener here, it's the closing song on "AB", or so I believe.
"Touch of Grey": From one of their last albums, In The Dark (1987). Catchy, with a landscape of instruments and very psychedelic lyrics. That may not come to a surprise, considering ITD was released after Jerry Garcia was in the hospital, in a coma (which possibly explains the album title/cover)
"Sugar Magnolia": It's too bad I never listen to this song much, anymore, because it's great. Seems to be a laid-back free man's love song with some very contrasting yet awesome lyrics, one of the Dead's shortest songs here, too, at 3:17.
"Casey Jones": From "Workingman's Dead". Great track, of course. I love the buildup of the instruments when the chorus is repeated four times out in the end. The lyrics here are certainly those that speak for the Dead's lifestyle and way of adventure. "Drivin' that train/ High on cocaine/ Casey Jones you'd better watch your speed/ Trouble ahead, trouble behind/ And you know that notion just crossed my mind".
"Uncle John's Band: A mellow, acoustic song apparently about being in a band with an almost father-like uncle. A very memorable song.
"Friend of the Devil": Another really good song, but the combination of acoustic guitar/thumping bass is a strange combo. The lyrics are quite diverse and seem to be the narration of the life of a "friend of the devil".
"Franklin's Tower": I love how the chorus just repeats "Roll away...the dew" and the whole song has a nice feel to it.
"Estimated Prophet": An eclectic pop song. The wa-wa guitar riff is very jolly and the type of melody that you'd whistle while walking down the street. However, the lyrics are very different for a Dead song. When you look beyond the "California... preaching on the burning shore" and "Rising up to paradise, I know I'm gonna shine" this song is very dark, especially the first verse: "My time coming, any day, don't worry about me, no Been so long I felt this way, I'm in no hurry, no." At any rate, it's still an excellent song.
"Eyes of the World": All right! Now HERE'S a song I can talk about. This is a great summer song, it features wonderful jams, mystical lyrics and is overall unforgettable. Reminds me of a place that seems unfamiliar to anywhere else I've been to. I don't even know where it is, but it's beautiful. Actually, it also reminds me of a playground I used to go to long ago. This song brings up great memories and fantasies, and on top of it all, has a great riff in between lines, along with some great bass-guitar work towards the end.
"The Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion": A huge standout, barely over two minutes. This was from their debut album, featuring experimental, acid-like ditties, zippy tempos and covers of old jazz and blues tunes done really well. Anyway, this song, their first recorded, is a classic, and is overall very good.
"One More Saturday Night": A live performance from "Euorpe 72" with great guitar and piano work, and a psychedelic version of that cliched 50's rhythm. Great live anthem.
"The Music Never Stopped": Not weird, but certainly different from alot of other songs. Another great summer track, a jazzy anthem featuring a sax and Donna Godchaux singing a few lines. This is the only song on this compilation to have so on it.
"Hell in a Bucket": A bit of a more uptempo song and a slightly heavier beat. I really like this song all-around and the lyrics, like "Touch of Grey" suit the "In The Dark" album.
"Ripple": Here's a song I hear plenty of talk from. Deadheads would often say it just isn't the same without leading into "Brokedown Palace", but the single version is also excellent in my opinion. A sensetive, folky, acoustic song with very reflective lyrics. This is a type of song that should typically close out any album (a song that's deep and gentler, even if the whole album is zippy and wild).
Overall:
So, as I finalize this review, I know I may have rambled on (in text) to you about these songs, but it may as well be worth it. The Grateful Dead have left a legacy behind, and Jerry Garcia (along with original keyboardist Ron "Pigpen" McKernan) have left us much too soon. Not wanting to lean onto that topic too much, I just want to finish up by saying that this is a great compilation for - A: Grateful Dead music B: A venture into new territories (if you're new to the Dead and/or psychedelic rock in general, of which the Grateful Dead is one of the greatest bands) and C: A great summer soundtrack. So what are you waiting for? Getting this album is totally worth it, in fact, I wish I could be able to listen to the Grateful Dead for the very first time again. It was something I know I'll never forget.
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23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Beginners Guide To The Grateful Dead., February 15, 2004
The Rhino/Warner Brothers compilation "The Very Best of The Grateful Dead" is the first to span the band's entire career in a single disc. It is also the first Dead compilation to encompass material from different record labels. So not only is the Dead's formative years with Warner Bros. covered, material from Arista and United Artists labels are also included.
This CD includes the Grateful Dead's most commercial material and its best known hits such as the signature classics "Truckin'", "Uncle John's Band", "Box Of Rain" and "Ripple" as well as their only top 40 smash "Touch Of Grey" from 1986.
Elsewhere are Deadhead favorites such as "Estimated Prophet", "Franklin's Tower", "Fire On The Mountain" and "U.S. Blues".
This is only one side of The Grateful Dead. The bands other side is what they are better known for - extended jams. Unfortunately "The Very Best Of" does not capture the bands improvisational and experimental side. It does however display the Dead's diverse range and their ability to craft radio-friendly material flawlessly and effortlessly.
This compilation is highly recommended for beginning Deadheads who'd like to hear the more commercial side of the band. For their improvisational side, "Live/Dead" is an excellent place to start. For their more experimental work, check out "Anthem Of The Sun", "Aoxomoxoa" or "Blues For Allah". These albums as well as this compilation provide a well-rounded textbook for those starting their collection of Dead recordings.
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