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25 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Score!, March 13, 2006
This album was actually quite hard to find for a long time, but not anymore. Now we get the original 8 classic tracks nicely remastered, and with 7 bonus tracks. This is a personal favorite of mine, and sometimes I think even better than "American Beauty". Included are the excellent jams "US Blues" and "Loose Lucy", the softies "China Doll" and "Ship Of Fools", and my favorites "Scarlet Begonias" and the spacey "Unbroken Chain". The extras here are outtakes/demos of "Loose Lucy", "Pride Of Cucamonga", and "Unbroken Chain", plus live versions of "Scarlet Begonias", "Money Money", "Wave That Flag", AND "Let It Rock". In short, with the better sound and added tracks, this classic disc is now twice as nice.
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22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Once in awhile you get shown the light in the strangest of places..., May 3, 2006
IF YOU LOOK AT IT RIGHT! ... It could be an illusion, but I might as well try. That line from Scarlett Begonias always stood out. When I bought this as a teenager in the 70's, I was just becoming a big Dead fan and had recently been blown away by the trippiest concert I had ever seen. I slowly began moving in (to the MARS HOTEL) and became the guest who never left - the lizard on the wall, just hangin' out with the band. A few other DEAD recordings were earliest favorites, but it didn't take long for this one to become a regular spin, and it always gave me a welcome lift (still does). I wouldn't ever WANT to leave!
This album feels to me like the FAMILY ALBUM, a milestone recording documenting the huge build-up to that point (with the GD, we all began hovering around the warm and sparkling fire they created and became family at some point, at least it feels that way to me). Look how Phil Lesh breaks out on here - Unbroken Chain (one of the best) and Pride of Cucamonga (no, that's not Jerry playing the pedal steel, but John Mcphee) are big classics for me. The extended, multi-part Garcia guitar lead on Chain, combined with the trippy warbling synthesizer (played by Ned Lagin) is a high point for sure and has always made my hairs stand on end. Both songs have unreleased demo versions on here showing the bare bones guitar framework ... interesting for players, even with the "practice" singing.
Can any DEAD fan deny that Scarlett Begonias ROCKS! Now that is a sweet song ... Garcia weaves the most beautiful melodies (the guitar lead is a beauty) and Weir shows-off with his empathic chord work (they sling the energy all over and pull it all back without blinking), the rhythm section is tight as can be. For all of the doubters out there who always say The Dead were too loosey goosey and didn't ever tighten the screws, the 9:09 min live extra is another example that they were ON during this era, as tuned in to eachother as any band around, and it shows - great stuff!
Is it just me, or is China Doll not one of the most pretty little ditties on any DEAD album (and lyrically cool - a Hunter/Garcia creation), with its harmonies, chimes and clavichord? Nice touch of whimsey, I don't get it why some don't like it.
I've heard it said that Weir's Money Money is the worst song on here ... I don't know, it is a little awkward in parts, but it is FUNNY and Jerry plays some nice licks. The live extra is interesting, but not a highlight. It's odd that Weir didn't add more writing on here, but he does contribute nicely in other songs (some live versions pull him out a little more). The other song that gets unfairly lambasted is Loose Lucy. Another funny one, about "relationships" with women: "singin' yeah, yeah, yeah", ... they're just having FUN, don't be insulted! The extra studio outtake might be even better than the original with its slower, funkier approach. I've always liked it, very catchy.
To tie it all up, the mellow but cutting Ship of Fools - with organs blazin' and Phil laying anchor with his bouncy playing, Jerry sprinkling one of the sweetest leads and singing with his best wharf rat persona - doesn't drift away too far, but isn't left there to float either, great song and one of my favorites!
If your feeling those U.S. Blues, just start with that DEAD anthem (wave that flag), pick up your China Doll, wander your way through the Begonias and you will know why this IS THE PRIDE of Cucamonga. This is a FUN ALBUM, LET IT ROCK (an odd little Chuck Berry jam - an extra on here)! THANK YOU ... for a real good time (Loose Lucy).
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16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
As close as they got in the Seventies, November 24, 2007
The Evolution was already in progress and the Music of The Grateful Dead had come a Long, Long way from from 1967 when the Band released their first Record: "Grateful Dead" to this Highwater Mark of San Francisco Rock Exploration called: "From The Mars Hotel". First released way back in 1974, this little Gem was as close as this Fantastic Band would come to Mainstream Sucess until the Big-Bust-Through of: "In The Dark".
With only Eight Songs on the Original Release, this Re-Issue has an additional Seven Numbers added on to really increase it's Value. For the Original Eight, Six of that Number are considered 'Classic' Dead Songs. For most of us the Two Diamonds from the Pen of Phil Lesh are the Stars of this Show: "Unbroken Chain" & "Pride Of Cucamonga". But Jerry weighs-in heavy as well on "Mars Hotel" with Three Stunners of his own: "U.S. Blues", Ship Of Fools" & "Scarlet Begonias" which would be Staples of the Live Shows...{Well, they STILL are included in the Live Shows}. And then there is: "China Doll", that is about the most Beatiful Ballad this band ever Performed in the 30 Years they existed.
Some of the Grateful Dead's most Majestic Playing can be found on this Record, the Arrangements are Well-Thought out, and every Note played here is On The Mark. The Piano Playing of Keith Godchaux makes every Tune better because of it. Bill Kreutmann, the Drummer often sounds like Three Guys, he really gets to leave his Stamp on these Great Recordings. And Jerry? Some of his Greatest Solos found on an Studio Dead Record are here on this One! He Snakes around the Melodies and always Explores the Outter-Reaches with his Playing, but never Loses his Focus, He is Sharp and Bright in Tone & Color and just Down Right Awesome throughout.
I thought the Dead would have a Hit Single or Two from this Record and Blunder some Booty on The AM Radio...But, Alas that was not to be. Still it was still a Winner on all Counts, for me it's the Best Grateful Dead Record of the 1970's, a Grand Space Exploration not to be Missed!
The Bonus Material does not detract from the Glory of The Original Record. And I'm pleased to see a Version of: "Wave That Flag", The 'Early' rendition of: "U.S. Blues", included here. Also of Note is a Dead Version of: "Let It Rock", normally this Chuck Berry Gem is featured in Jerry's Band, But here is, a Stompin' Live Dead Version. The real Treat is saved until the End of this CD, with the inclusion of Phil's, Acoustic Demos of: "Unbroken Chain" & "Pride Of Cucamonga" that show the Bassman at the Peak of his Powers, This is Classic.
A Five Star CD!!! It would be Equaled over and over again BUT never Bested. The Goods are right here on this Fantastic CD.
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