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Jul 31, 2024 Web Exclusive By Hays Davis

Grateful Dead’s second self-released album on their own Grateful Dead Records (and 11th overall), following 1973’s Wake of the Flood, From the Mars Hotel remains a key studio album in their catalog. Half of the album—“U.S. Blues,” “China Doll,” “Scarlet Begonias,” and “Ship of Fools”—became recognized as being among the band’s finest songs, with some finding their way onto hundreds of Dead setlists. There are rare lead vocals from bassist Phil Lesh on his two co-writes, including the country-rock jewel “Pride of Cucamonga,” and the band is in top form throughout. The 3-CD 50th anniversary edition (also presented in multiple vinyl versions) adds demos and a period show to remastered audio for the original album from Grammy-winning engineer David Glasser.

The demo bonus tracks here are a treat. A moving “China Doll” finds Garcia singing with a pared-down, acoustic guitar/keyboard backing. “Wave That Flag,” the song that became “U.S. Blues,” is at an entertaining, formative stage here, like an acoustic campfire version where the lyrics are coming together in joyous fits but also with the means to plug in for an electric guitar solo. Spanning two discs of the CD version, a previously unreleased concert at the University of Nevada-Reno on 5/12/74 is noteworthy for the first touring appearance of the Dead’s massive, 75-ton Wall of Sound concert speaker setup after its debut two months earlier. Along with showcasing Mars Hotel on “U.S. Blues” and “Ship of Fools,” the band stretches out on a rocking “China Cat Sunflower”>“I Know You Rider” and a 40-minute run of “Truckin’”>“The Other One”>“Row Jimmy” in a show that provides a great setlist with plenty of highlights.

Pairing an excellent period show with a From the Mars Hotel that sounds better than ever, this 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition is now the go-to for the Mars Hotel experience. For a deeper studio dive, seek out the digital collection From the Mars Hotel: The Angel’s Share, which offers previously 16 unreleased outtakes, alternate versions, and acoustic mixes from the album’s creation. (www.dead.net)

Author rating: 7.5/10