Grat-Gray | richardfalksreviews

Grat-Gray

Grateful Dead (USA): June 1976 (Rhino R2-624961, 15HDCD, with gatefold minisleeves, booklet and box, 2020, recorded 1976)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (occasional vocals)
The packaging may be a bit spartan compared to other Dead boxed sets, but there’s plenty of fine – if über laid-back, typically for 1976 – music to be enjoyed here. The first show from Boston Music Hall on the 10th has no really incendiary moments, but no obvious weak points either, and with some excellent jamming in the second set is just about a B. The second show, from the same venue the following night, is similarly a little short on excitement, but it’s very high on consistency, with some superbly slick playing on ‘Dancing In The Street’ and ‘Eyes Of The World’ (the style decried by some detractors as ‘Disco Dead’) in particular (again just about a B). The third show, from the Beacon Theatre on the 14th, is a bit of a step, up, with a 20-minute ‘Playing The Band’, a fine jam around ‘Crazy Fingers’, another slick ‘Dancing In The Street’ and best of all a 29-minute ‘Help On The Way’/‘Slipknot!’/‘Franklin’s Tower’ (B+). Show four, from the same venue the day after, is also extremely solid, though again it’s more about consistency than individually amazing moments (B). The final show, from the 19th, maintains a remarkable level of consistency, and is once again a solid B; the version presented here is significantly better than that on the grey market radio broadcasts compilation 76, where it was in mono, with very mediocre sound quality, and missing the encore (‘One More Saturday Night’). GRADE: B.

Grateful Dead (USA): 76 (Sandoz SNZCD2004, 12CD, with minisleeves, booklet and box, 2017, recorded 1976)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (occasional vocals)
This excellent set compiles five complete shows by the Dead, originally recorded as radio broadcasts. The set from Boston Music Hall on 12th June features most of my period favourites and showcases the Dead at their most relaxed and laid-back (comfortably a B, maybe a B+). The show from the 19th is a bit of a step down, due to mediocre mono sound quality and quick cuts between tracks, though it features some unusual songs and mostly excellent performances (between a B– and B). The 24th show has slightly better sound quality, though none of the vocals are centred, creating an odd effect (still about a B given the excellent performances). Meanwhile, the show from the 29th (also released as a standalone set) has an excellent recording and consistently solid performances (B). The final show from 18th July has the most substantial setlist, excellent performances and strong sound quality (despite a few extraneous noises), rounding off the set in fine style (B to B+). GRADE: B.

Grateful Dead (USA): Grateful Dead Download Series Volume 4 (Grateful Dead Productions, download, 2005, recorded 1976)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (occasional vocals)
This instalment in the Download series features all but one song of the band’s June 18th 1976 performance, plus about seventy minutes of bonus material compiled from three other nights. The main set is pleasant and laid-back, but the band never really catches fire and it’s certainly not one of their best performances from the era. The bonus disc is slightly better, with a lengthy version of ‘Playing In The Band’, though even this is somewhat lethargic. GRADE: B–.

Grateful Dead (USA): Dave’s Picks Volume 28 (Rhino R2-565022, triple HDCD, with digipak and booklet, 2018, recorded 1976)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (occasional vocals)
This is one of the most laid-back entries in the Dead’s extensive live catalogue: the music never seems to get even moderately heavy or energetic. That said, as relaxed Dead goes, this is extremely good relaxed Dead, with few obvious weak moments. GRADE: B.

Grateful Dead (USA): Grateful Dead Download Series Volume 4 (Grateful Dead Productions, download, 2005, recorded 1976)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (occasional vocals)
This instalment in the Download series features all but one song of the band’s June 18th 1976 performance, plus about seventy minutes of bonus material compiled from three other nights. The main set is pleasant and laid-back, but the band never really catches fire and it’s certainly not one of their best performances from the era. The bonus material is slightly better, with a lengthy version of ‘Playing In The Band’, though even this is somewhat lethargic.

GRADE: B–.

Grateful Dead (USA): Dave’s Picks Volume 18 (Rhino R2 552288, quadruple HDCD, with digipak and booklet, 2016, recorded 1976)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (occasional vocals)
The first two discs (and the first song on the third) comprise the band’s entire July 17th 1976 show, whilst the remainder of the third disc and the whole of the subscriber-only fourth are given over to highlights from the previous night. Whilst the complete set is solid, with an unusual though slightly ponderous second set jam, the band ironically sounds far more energised on the superb show from the 16th, making one wish they had done things the other way around. GRADE: B.

Grateful Dead (USA): Dave’s Picks Volume 4 (Rhino R2 529205, triple HDCD, with digipak and booklet, 2012, recorded 1976)

Rock/Psychedelic

Donna Godchaux (occasional vocals)

This enjoyable set has an appealing track listing sprinkled with my mid-seventies favourites (‘Sugaree’, ‘Row Jimmy’, ‘Tennessee Jed’, ‘Playing In The Band’ et al). However, as usual it peaks on the final disc, with a 35-minute ‘Help On The Way’/‘Slipknot!’/‘Franklin’s Tower’/‘The Music Never Stopped’/‘Stella Blue’. GRADE: B.

Grateful Dead (USA): Dick’s Picks Vol 20 (Grateful Dead GDCD 4040, quadruple HDCD, 2001, recorded 1976)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (occasional vocals)
This five-hour-plus instalment features two virtually complete shows from three nights apart (with each having a single short song excised due to space limitations). The first show, from the Capital Center, Landover, Maryland on 25 September 1976, is solid enough, with a reasonably appealing tracklisting, but the music only occasionally seems to take flight. The first set of the second show (at the Onondaga County War Memorial, Syracuse, New York, three days later) is also good rather than great, but the second features an excellent long sequence based around ‘Playing In The Band’, ‘The Wheel’, ‘Samson And Delilah’, ‘Comes A Time’, ‘Eyes Of The World’ and ‘Dancing In The Streets’, though the band still sounds relaxed to the point of being borderline comatose. GRADE: B–.

Grateful Dead (USA): Dick’s Picks 33 (Grateful Dead DECD274, quadruple HDCD, 2004, recorded 1976)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (backing vocals)
This Pick consists of two entire concerts from consecutive day at the Oakland Coliseum Stadium in October 1976. The first show, from the 9th, is excellent throughout, particularly the second set, which consists of a stunning continuous sequence taking in ‘St Stephen’, ‘Not Fade Away’, ‘Help On The Way’, ‘Slipknot!’, ‘Samson And Delilah’, ‘Franklin’s Tower’ and ‘One More Saturday Night’ (B+). The show from the 10this perhaps a shade below the first, but still just about a B+ thanks to a nicely relaxed first set and some excellent jamming in the second (based around ‘Playing In The Band’, ‘The Wheel’, ‘The Other One’, ‘Stella Blue’ and ‘Sugar Magnolia’. As such, this is one of the finest instalments in the Dick’s Picks series (or of live Dead in general). GRADE: B+.
Grateful Dead (USA): Live At The Cow Palace – New Year’s Eve 1976 (Rhino R2 74816, quadruple HDCD, with digipak, minisleeve and booklet, 2007, recorded 1976)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (backing vocals)
This triple CD features the band’s entire performance from New Year’s Eve 1976/77, plus a limited bonus disc featuring selected recordings from Autumn 1977. The latter (easily a B, if not a B+) is actually better than the set proper, which gives a little too much space to Bob Weir’s good-time material, although the third disc picks up the pace somewhat. GRADE: B–.

Grateful Dead (USA): Dave’s Picks Volume 29 (Rhino R2-565022, triple HDCD, with digipak and poster booklet, 2019, recorded 1977)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (occasional vocals)
The Dead’s concert from 26th February 1977 (augmented here by three numbers from the following night) was long a legend among tape traders. It’s certainly very good, with an attractive tracklisting and a slightly hesitant ‘Estimated Prophet’ (making its live debut) more than balanced out by some fantastic jamming during ‘Help On The Way’/‘Slipknot’/‘Franklin’s Tower’. GRADE: B.

Grateful Dead (USA): Grateful Dead Download Series Volume 1 (Grateful Dead Productions, download, 2015, recorded 1977)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (occasional vocals)
This April 30th show (plus three bonus tracks from the night before) is quintessential early seventies Dead, signposting the way to the legendary 8th May show. Thus, while it’s a little short on wild jamming and psychedelic experimentation, it’s supremely controlled and virtually note-perfect, making for an impressive listening experience. GRADE: B.

Grateful Dead (USA): May 1977: Get Shown The Light (Rhino R2 557479, 11 HDCD plus gatefold sleeves, book, booklet and box, 2017,

recorded 1977)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godhchaux (occasional vocals)
This lavishly packaged set – complete with spindly die-cut gatefold sleeves (from which most of the discs fell out in transit), a 200-page hardback book, a separate booklet, a box with double magnetic closure and even a customised shipping carton – was long-awaited, as it contains reputedly the band’s best-ever show, from 8th May 1977. The 5th May show, which kicks off the set, is the shortest (and the only one spanning just two discs): it’s solid stuff with a light and playful mood and easily merits a B. The show from two days later is a definite step up, including some lovely jamming, and once again with the gentle, relaxed and self-assured quality typical of their Spring 1977 tour (B+). Approaching the hallowed 8th May concert with any kind of objectivity was difficult, but it is certainly pretty wonderful: not because the band explore the reaches of improvisational space as they did back in 1972 but because they create some of the most mesmerising melodic grooves imaginable, with every single musician at the top of his game (an easy A–). The final show from the 9th is every bit its equal, beginning with a blistering segue of ‘Help On The Way’, ‘Slipknot!’ and ‘Franklin’s Tower’ and never letting up; I can’t think of a better song to end the box than ‘Uncle John’s Band’. This is beautiful music in a beautiful package, and to these ears the best of the Dead’s big boxes. GRADE: B+.
Grateful Dead (USA): May 1977 (Rhino R2 535721, 14 HDCDs with gatefold minisleeves, book and slipcase, 2013, recorded 1977)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (occasional vocals)
This lavishly packaged set (featuring oversized envelope-style sleeves, a thick softcover booklet, an elaborate die-cut slipcase and a custom mailing carton) features five different shows recorded during May 1977. The first show from the 11th concentrates largely on early seventies material and is consistently pleasant without ever really catching fire. The other four, however, are uniformly excellent, showcasing all the material from the forthcoming Terrapin Station album in style, interspersed with some great jamming and fine versions of older classics. GRADE: B.
Grateful Dead (USA): Dick’s Picks Twenty Nine (Real Gone Music RGM-0060, sextuple HDCD, 2012, recorded 1977)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (backing vocals)
Featuring two complete sets from May 1977 (plus several bonus tracks from October), this stunning 6CD release is packed with amazing music. For sure, they meander occasionally but they rarely misfire and at times – notably ‘Dancing In The Street’ and ‘Estimated Prophet’ from the first show – this features some of the best music the Dead ever produced. GRADE: A–.
Grateful Dead (USA): Dick’s Picks Volume Three (Grateful Dead GDCD2 4022, double CD, 1995, recorded 1977)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (occasional vocals)
This excellent live set (recorded the day after the second set on the above album) mostly features material from the Blues For Allah and Terrapin Station albums. With a well-chosen selection of tracks, it occasionally meanders (typical for live Dead) but even more frequently sparkles, with numerous highpoints including an unexpectedly wonderful version of ‘Dancing In The Street’. GRADE: B.
Grateful Dead (USA): Dave’s Picks Volume 1 (Rhino R2 529201, triple HDCD, with digipak and booklet, 2012, recorded 1977)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (backing vocals)
Despite an appealing tracklisting, this is mostly good rather than great. As usual for a Dead live set, things pick up as they move from discrete songs to longer jams, although there are a few fairly ponderous moments even on the third disc. GRADE: B–.

Grateful Dead (USA): Dave’s Picks Volume 41 (Rhino R2 677187, triple HDCD, with digipak and booklet, 2022, recorded 1977)

Rock/Psychedelic

Donna Godchaux (occasional vocals)

According to the liner notes, this show made the shortlist for the very first Dave’s Picks release but was pipped to the post by the show from the night before. I’m baffled as to why, as this is superior in every regard – not because it has the intensity of some of the band’s early seventies shows but because it has impeccable track selection and some of the same metronomic near-perfection as the fabled 8th May gig. In fact, I’m baffled as to why it took so long to gain an official release. GRADE: B.
Grateful Dead (USA): To Terrapin – Hartford ’77 (Rhino 8122-79869-0, triple HDCD, with gatefold minisleeve and booklet, 2009, recorded 1977)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (backing vocals)
Recorded six days after Dick’s Picks Volume Three (and three days after Dave’s Picks Volume 1), this has a slightly less appealing tracklisting (no ‘Help On The Way’, ‘Slipknot!’, ‘Franklin’s Tower’ or ‘Sunrise’, for starters) but is a longer set with some really outstanding moments. GRADE: B.
Grateful Dead (USA): Winterland June 1977 – The Complete Recordings (Grateful Dead GRA2-6011, decuple HDCD, with gatefold minisleeves, booklet, insert, badge and box, 2009, recorded 1977)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (occasional vocals)
With three sets from consecutive nights spread across nine discs (plus a bonus tenth disc from other performances for pre-orders), this is a substantial slice of peak Dead. To these ears, the second and third sets are marginally better than the first, whilst there’s plenty of good stuff on the bonus disc as well; however, this doesn’t quite equal the incredible heights of Dick’s Picks Twenty Nine. GRADE: B.

Grateful Dead (USA): Dick’s Picks Volume Fifteen (Grateful Dead 07822140352, triple HDCD, 1999, recorded 1977)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (occasional vocals)
Like many Deadheads, I love almost anything from 1977, and this is a good show (if not at the absolute peak). In many ways, it’s a game of two halves: the first set and the opening to the second are pleasant rather than thrilling, but everything catches fire when they begin to jam. GRADE: B.

Grateful Dead (USA): Dave’s Picks Volume 45 (Rhino R2 712507, quadruple HDCD, with digipak and booklet, 2023, recorded 1977)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (occasional vocals)
This bumper edition of Dave’s Picks features two complete shows from consecutive nights over four CDs. The first set from 1 October 1977 is solid rather than spectacular, culminating in an intense ‘The Music Never Stopped’ but the second features some excellent moments, including a fine segue of ‘Estimated Prophet’, ‘Eyes Of The World’, ‘Dancing In The Street’, ‘Not Fade Away’, ‘Black Peter’ and ‘Around And Around’ (overall a strong B–). The show from the 2nd is decidedly superior, with both excellent first and second sets, including some superb jamming in the second (a strong B). GRADE: B.
Grateful Dead (USA): Road Trips Vol 1 No 2 (Grateful Dead GRA2-6002, triple HDCD, with gatefold minisleeve and minisleeve, 2008, recorded 1977)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (occasional vocals)
Recorded during October 1977, this often sees the Dead in all-out jamming mode, with songs frequently outstaying their welcome but just as many truly transcendant moments. For all my quibbling, only the ever-avoidable ‘Around And Around’ really fails to impress, with almost everything else being very listenable. Bizarrely, ‘Sunrise’ has a technical fault that renders Donna Godchaux’s vocal inaudible for the opening section. GRADE: B.

Grateful Dead (USA): Dave’s Picks Volume 12 (Rhino R2-541136, triple HDCD, with digipak and booklet, 2014, recorded 1977)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (occasional vocals)
I love ’77 Dead, and this instalment finds them in a particularly laid-back mood. The second set is the highpoint, with ‘Playing In The Band’ sandwiching ‘Eyes Of The World’, ‘Estimated Prophet’, a fiery ‘The Other One’, a drum solo, ‘Iko Iko’ and ‘Stella Blue’. However, the first set is no slouch either and the third disc of bonus tracks from another show has plenty of highpoints too. GRADE: B.

Grateful Dead (USA): Dave’s Picks Volume 33 (Rhino R2-607312, triple HDCD, with digipak and booklet, 2020, recorded 1977)

Rock/Psychedelic

Donna Godchaux (backing vocals)

The liner notes describe this as a truly legendary show: I wouldn’t go that far, but it has their ’77 smoothness and slickness in spades and some genuinely impressive moments. As is often the case with the Dead, the long second set is the highpoint, particularly a supple ‘Estimated Prophet’ and an intense ‘St Stephen’. GRADE: B.

Grateful Dead (USA): Dick’s Picks 34 (Grateful Dead DECD275, triple HDCD, 2004, recorded 1977)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (backing vocals)
Like a lot of ’77 Dead, this is relaxed in the extreme, but they also get suitably intense during the jams on the third disc, resulting in a decent and satisfying release. The main set, from a show in Rochester, is bolstered by additional material from a show in Toronto. GRADE: B.

Grateful Dead (USA): Dave’s Picks Volume 25 (Rhino R2-564621, triple HDCD, with digipak and booklet, 2018, recorded 1977)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (occasional vocals)
Whilst this November 1977 show has plenty of fine moments and an attractive tracklisting, the long jam in the second set only catches fire belatedly, the drum solo is remarkably mediocre and Donna Godchaux’s vocals are almost inaudible on ‘Sunrise’. Those quibbles aside, this is another strong addition to the impressive Dave’s Picks series. GRADE: B.

Grateful Dead (USA): Dick’s Picks Volume Ten (Grateful Dead GDCD2 4022, triple CD, 1998, recorded 1977)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (backing vocals)
This Pick – virtually all of the band’s show from 29th December 1977 plus a four-song sequence from the following night – is a decent instalment of ’77, with an agreeable tracklisting and a typically mellow mood. However, it’s lacking in any truly transcendental moments, and the bonus material is actually better than the set proper. GRADE: B–.
Grateful Dead (USA): Dick’s Picks Volume Eighteen (Grateful Dead GDCD 4031, triple HDCD, 1998, recorded 1978)
Rock/Progressive
Donna Godchaux (occasional vocals)
Compiled from two concerts in early February 1978, this triple set depicts the usual flow of a Dead set by starting off tentatively (the first disc-and-a-bit are unremarkable, despite an attractive track listing – ‘Passenger’ and ‘Estimated Prophet’ sound particularly listless) before hitting some stunning peaks on the second and third CDs. GRADE: B.

Grateful Dead (USA): Dave’s Picks Volume 15 (Rhino R2 550932, triple HDCD, with digipak and booklet, 2015, recorded 1978)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (backing vocals)
Even by the Dead’s usual standards, this April 1978 set is relaxed in the extreme. This isn’t always to the album’s advantage – ‘Estimated Prophet’ meanders aimlessly and 14 minutes of ‘Rhythm Devils’ is far too much. The ballads fare better, including nice versions of ‘Looks Like Rain’ and ‘Wharf Rat’, but this is definitely a good rather than great gig. Although she takes no lead vocals here, Donna Godchaux makes her presence felt, particularly during the closing section of ‘Deal’, making it clear how much the band lost when they replaced her and husband Keith with Brent Mydland the following year. GRADE: B–.

Grateful Dead (USA): Dave’s Picks Volume 23 (Rhino R2-557455, triple HDCD, with digipak and booklet, 2017, recorded 1978)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (occasional vocals)
This legendary show lives up to its reputation, with many excellent moments in both the first and second sets. In particular, ‘Terrapin Station’ is unusually aggressive, whilst the jamming during and after ‘The Other One’ takes the Dead into avant-garde areas recalling 1972 rather than 1978. GRADE: B.

Grateful Dead (USA): Dave’s Picks Volume 37 (Rhino R2 645921, triple HDCD, with digipak and booklet, 2021, recorded 1978)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (occasional vocals)
1978 produced some fabulous Grateful Dead shows, packed with energy and intensity. This isn’t one of them (or, strictly speaking, two, since the main date from 15th April doesn’t even fill two discs, meaning lots of bonus material from the 18th). Aside from an intense ‘Morning Dew’, this is a solid rather than exceptional collection, with the bonus material – which has a laid-back, ’77-like quality – sometimes faring better than the main event. On the plus side, it’s only occasionally shaky (a muted ‘Passenger’ and a very hesitant ‘Sunrise’), but on the downside we get ‘Rhythm Devils’ twice, though the version from the 18th thankfully only lasts a minute. GRADE: B–.
Grateful Dead (USA): Dave’s Picks Volume 7 (Rhino R2 523997, triple HDCD, with digipak and booklet, 2013, recorded 1978)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (occasional vocals)
Seven volumes in and Dave’s Picks still isn’t anywhere near the bottom of the barrel – this is excellent stuff, even if it’s remarkably laid-back even by the Dead’s usual standards. On the downside, they hit a few bum notes and the ‘Rhythm Devils’ section outstays its welcome by a good margin, but for the most part this is peak Dead having fun – witness their interpolation of elements of ‘Stayin’ Alive’ into ‘Me And My Uncle’. GRADE: B.

Grateful Dead (USA): Dick’s Picks 25 (Grateful Dead DECD275, quadruple HDCD, 2002, recorded 1978)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (backing vocals)
This instalment of Dick’s Picks includes two almost complete shows (though two songs are omitted from the first and three from the second). What is not omitted is two lengthy drum solos: 18 minutes during the first show and nearly 20 during the second. Whilst inventive players, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart are hardly Ginger Baker or John Bonham in the showmanship department, making this more than half an hour of my life that I’ll never get back. Elsewhere, the first show is solid enough – energetic in the first set and relaxed in the second – and the second is consistently adequate, but I’ve heard much better ’78 Dead. GRADE: B–.

Grateful Dead (USA): July 1978 – The Complete Recordings (Rhino R2-554485, 10 HDCD, with gatefold minisleeves, booklet, box and carton, 2016, recorded 1978)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (occasional vocals)
Similar in both conception and packaging to the May 1977 set, this archive release captures five complete shows from early July 1978. The 1st July show is strikingly different from the norm, with an urgency and aggression usually missing from Dead performances (possibly reflecting a change in their chemical regimen). ‘Terrapin Station’ fares rather poorly, but otherwise it’s an excellent, if compact, show (B). The performance from the 3rd has a decent first set, but the second is pretty dull, including long, listless versions of ‘Scarlet Begonias’, ‘Fire On The Mountain’ and ‘Dancing In The Street’ (B–). In contrast, the show from the 5th is consistently strong, with both sets firing on all cylinders (and an unusual jam comprising ‘Estimated Prophet’, ‘Eyes Of The World’, ‘Wharf Rat’, ‘Truckin’’, ‘Iko Iko’ and ‘Around And Around’ being especially effective) (B). Meanwhile, the show from the 7th is similar to that of the 3rd inasmuch as it has a strong first set but a second that is rather insubstantial (B–). The final show, from July 8th, has a solid first set, a really excellent second (with another unusual jam comprising ‘Estimated Prophet’, ‘The Other One’, ‘Eyes Of The World’, ‘Wharf Rat’, ‘Franklin’s Tower’ and ‘Sugar Magnolia’) and a three-song encore including ‘Terrapin Station’ (B). This show was also released as a standalone triple CD. GRADE: B.
Grateful Dead (USA): Rocking The Cradle – Egypt 1978 (Rhino R2 512959, triple HDCD plus DVD, with gatefold minisleeve, minisleeve and booklet, 2008, recorded 1978)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (backing vocals)
This record of the Dead’s sojourn to the pyramids is beautifully packaged in a novelty fold-out sleeve with a pop-up sphinx and pyramid. Musically it’s a bit listless in parts, but steadily improves as the set continues (not unusual for the Dead) and includes some of the very best music on the limited edition bonus disc (ditto). The DVD, which has a different tracklisting to the CDs, is very enjoyable too. GRADE: B–.
Grateful Dead (USA): Road Trips Vol 1 No 4: From Egypt With Love (Grateful Dead GRA2-6004, triple HDCD, 2008, recorded 1978)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (backing vocals)
As the title suggests, this set was compiled from three shows recorded just after the band returned to the States from their sojourn in Egypt. Perhaps as a consequence, they sound a little subdued, and the sound quality on some cuts is below the Dead’s usual archive standard, but there is still some fine jamming here. GRADE: B–.

Grateful Dead (USA): Passaic Theatre NJ ’78 (Air Cuts AC3CD8040, triple CD, with minisleeves, booklet and box, 2016, recorded 1978)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (occasional vocals)
Taken from a radio broadcast (complete with station announcements), this is an enjoyable document of a particularly laid-back November 1978 set. The band doesn’t really indulge its penchant for spaced-out jamming here, but there is a pleasing track listing, including the rarely played ‘Ollin Arrageed’ amid a sequence comprising ‘Estimated Prophet’, ‘Shakedown Street’, ‘Fire On The Mountain’ and ‘Sugar Magnolia’. GRADE: B–.

Grateful Dead (USA): The Closing Of Winterland – December 31, 1978 (Monterey Video 319782, double DVD plus HDCD, with digipak, booklet and slipcase, 2004, recorded 1979)Rock/PsychedelicDonna Godchaux (occasional vocals)This gargantuan package features three full sets from the Dead, performed from midnight until the morning of 1 January 1979, bonus footage of support acts New Riders Of The Purple Sage and the Blues Brothers, a documentary about the Winterland Ballroom, interviews with the band and Bill Graham, a ‘making of’ featurette and a slide show. With the whole thing totally six-and-a-quarter hours, it’s a remarkable document of a historic night. Musically, the band turns in some fine performances of a broad spectrum of songs (with ‘Not Fade Away’ and ‘Dark Star’ being especially remarkable) but with a little too much Bob Weir-fronted good-time material for my taste. Early copies came with a bonus CD compiling recordings from other New Year’s Eve shows between 1970 and 1977 (but mostly the latter). GRADE: B–.
Grateful Dead (USA): The Closing Of Winterland – December 31, 1978 (Grateful Dead GDCD78055, quadruple HDCD, 2003,

recorded 1979)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (occasional vocals)
The audio-only version of the show really emphasises the outstanding musicianship on the best numbers, and is a very worthwhile set in its own right. GRADE: B–.

Grateful Dead (USA): 30 Trips Around The Sun (Rhino, 80CD plus gold vinyl 7", with gatefold minisleeves, book, scroll, ticket, pass, box and carton, 2015, recorded 1966-1995)
Rock/Psychedelic
Donna Godchaux (occasional vocals)
This mammoth collection, marking the band’s fiftieth anniversary, dwarfs even the Europe ’72 steamer trunk, featuring one show from each year of the Dead’s existence. As a result, seven of the thirty shows feature Donna Godchaux, and hence are eligible for review here. The 1972 show has an unremarkable first set, except for the closing ‘Playing In The Band’, but things really take off for the second set (overall B–). In contrast, 1973’s set is solid throughout, with lots of my early seventies favourites (a solid B); annoyingly, the tracks are out of sequence, as Rhino didn’t want to invest in an extra disc (despite the set costing a hefty $699). The 1974 set is also consistently impressive, and another B, though I can’t imagine myself wanting to hear the ‘Seastones interlude’ on a regular basis. In contrast, the 1975 set is much shorter, with an unusual track listing; whilst the versions of a few Blues For Allah numbers are excellent, the lack of the band’s usual gargantuan jams is notable (B–). The 1976 set is also lacking anything really incendiary, and the playing is even more ragged than usual on the early songs, but it has an unusual track listing and a nicely lighthearted atmosphere (B–). The comparatively short 1977 performance features a perfunctory first set, with the band only really taking flight on ‘Estimated Prophet’, but the second set is superb (overall just about a B). Despite an attractive track listing, the 1978 show – the last in the box with the Godchauxs – is good rather than great, with a second set that starts well but goes downhill after ‘Eyes Of The World’ (not helped by more than 12 minutes of ‘Rhythm Devils’) (B–). GRADE: B–.
See also Donna Jean, Jerry Garcia Band, Ghosts, Heart Of Gold Band, Keith & Donna, ZÓÉ

Grave Pleasures (Finland/Sweden): Dreamcrash (Columbia/Sony Music 888751252382, CD, with digipak and booklet, 2015)
Metal
Linnéa Olsson (guitar)
The sound here is quite distinctive: singer Mat McNerny sounds like he would be more at home in an early eighties pop band, and there are notable post-punk and eighties influences in the songwriting too. The results are rather interesting, if not hugely profound, with some catchy hooklines boosted by some powerful riffing. GRADE: C+.
See also the Oath

Gravmaskin (Sweden): Volym 1 (Electric Assault ASLT-10, CD, USA, 2014)
Progressive
Sofia Rydahl (keyboards)
This instrumental heavy progressive album features just three musicians: a guitarist, a keyboardist and a drummer. That line-up might make you expect ELP-style bombast, but this keeps the instrumental histrionics to a minimum, focusing on dynamism, power and groove. Fringing metal and space-rock, it’s a short and rather understated set that never really goes anywhere – but does it in fine style. GRADE: B–.

Gravmaskin (Sweden): Live! (Ljudkassetti TJUGOSEX!, cassette, 2014)
Progressive
Sofia Rydahl
Their studio album succeeded partly because of its excellent and dynamic recording; this live cassette, limited to 125 copies, has sound quality slightly above that of a bootleg. Nonetheless, there is plenty of fine music here, but this probably isn’t the best place to discover Gravmaskin. Oddly, the same tracklisting appears to repeat on both sides. GRADE: C+.

Minne Graw (Germany): Aus Geträumt (Sireena 2045, CD, with digipak and booklet, 2010, recorded 1986-87)
Folk/Rock
Minne Graw (lead vocals, keyboards)
After Ougenweide broke up in 1985, Minne Graw made a number of solo recordings, both with and without her former colleagues, but was unable to land a record deal. This retrospective album features six cuts with backing from Ougenweide members and two rough demos. The opening ‘Langeweile’ and ‘Träume Leben’ are absolutely outstanding, with beautiful singing and a musical style falling somewhere between singer/songwriter, mediaeval folk/rock and progressive. As the album progresses, eighties influences come more to the fore, with lots of synthesisers and drum machines; this material is still good, but would have been a lot better with less electronic arrangements. GRADE: C+.
See also Ougenweide

Grayceon (USA): Grayceon (Vendlus Vend021, CD, 2007)
Progressive/Metal
Jackie Perez-Gratz (joint lead vocals, cello)
Rated by many as the finest album of 2007, this interesting LP – a hint metallish, a touch avant-garde, always very contemporary – features some impressively intricate playing from a deceptively simple line-up of electric guitar, cello and drums. Whilst the music doesn’t sound improvised, it’s definitely closer to jamming than to structured compositions, so songwriting isn’t exactly their strong point – but their chops are certainly impressive. GRADE: B–.
Grayceon (USA): This Grand Show (Vendius Vend035, CD, 2008)
Metal/Progressive/Psychedelic
Jackie Perez-Gratz (joint lead vocals, cello)
Their second album is in a similar style to their first, but it’s longer, heavier, more aggressive, more assured and more psychedelic. In short, it’s a very fine piece of work. GRADE: B–.
Grayceon (USA): All We Destroy (Profound Lore PFL 073, CD, with digipak, 2011)
Metal/Progressive
Jackie Perez-Gratz (joint lead vocals, cello)
Another fine and varied LP, ranging from doom-influenced heavy riffing through to subtle near-ballads, all shot through with plenty of classical cello work. GRADE: B–.
Grayceon (USA): Pearl And The End Of Days (Flenser FR 27, with download card, 2013)
Metal/Progressive
Jackie Perez-Gratz (lead vocals, cello)
This short album (or long EP, if you prefer) consists of two side-long tracks (‘Pearl’ and ‘End Of Days’, unsurprisingly enough) totalling around 26 minutes. It’s all very much in their usual style, and is pretty satisfying without really breaking any new ground. Whilst Jackie Perez-Gratz is the only member credited with vocals, the singing sounds more male to me. GRADE: B–.

Grayceon (USA): IV (Translation Loss TL 127-2, CD, with digipak, 2018)
Metal/Progressive
Jackie Perez-Gratz (lead vocals, cello)
Like Espers, Grayceon seem to have problems counting, as this is their fifth album (although I presume they’re classing Pearl And The End Of Days as a mere EP). Luckily, they don’t have any problems when it comes to producing consistently intriguing music. Knotty, hard-riffing and dense, counterpointed by Jackie Perez-Gratz’s gothic and classical cello and androgynous vocals, this is dark and atmospheric music that really grabs the attention. GRADE: B–.

Grayceon (USA): Mothers Weavers Vultures (Translation Loss TL172-1, splatter vinyl, with insert, 2020)
Metal/Progressive
Jackie Perez-Gratz (lead vocals, cello)
There’s no doubting the power, punch or complexity of Grayceon’s music, which remains impressive and at times dazzling. The only question is how far they can take their unusual instrumental format – electric guitar, drums and cello – and how much you need to own this if you possess their catalogue to date. GRADE: B–.