American Beauty [Remaster] by Grateful Dead (CD, Feb-2003, Warner Bros. Records Record Label)

This classic collection from the evolving blues/rock band the Grateful Dead is a groundbreaking work combining bluegrass, country, folk and rock and roll. First released in November 1970 it was the Dead's fifth album following Working Man's Dead.

The artful cover of the album is a collector's must have, as is the actual body of work. Produced by Steve Barncard (actually a staff engineer for the sound crew at the time), this album breaks out several classics songs in American rock and roll history:

Box of Rain-(Lesh/Hunter) Written for Lesh's dying father, a poignant and spiritual poem set to a wonderful musical score. "A box of rain will ease the pain and love will see you through"

Friend of the Devil- Robert Hunter said this was the closet he and Jerry Garcia ever came to writing a classic song. Some will disagree with Hunter saying this IS a classic. The song is about an outlaw on the run in Reno, Nevada who makes a deal with the devil to hide him. Classic American Beauty!

Ripple-(Hunter/Garcia) This has always been one of my very favorite songs, ever!
The title is a metaphor for life itself. We are born from a ripple or disturbence in a pool of stillness. We travel that life alone while reaching out to one and other.

"Reach out your hand if your cup be empty
If your cup is full may it be again
Let it be known there is a fountain
That was not made by the hands of men

There is a road, no simple highway
Between the dawn and the dark of night
And if you go no one may follow
That path is for your steps alone"

The actual chorus is written in haiku form.

Truckin-(Garcia, Hunter, Lesh and Weir) This is the quintessential song of life on road in a counterculture rock group. Truckin is actually a dance step from the early 20th century blues/folk era. The most famous lyric from the Dead is also the epitaph on Garcia's headstone:

"What a long strange trip it's been"

And that sums it up, life espcially in those days of counterculture, Vietnam War protests, drug culture, free love, etc. was and still remains (I am of that generation), a "long strange trip".

If you are looking to get into not only the Dead but also the culture of the Haight Ashbury scene and the late 1960's, early 1970's hippie movement I highly recommend this work as part of your most cherished collection.