Comments for Grateful Dead, From the Mars Hotel

A very unique album for the band. A stray from the bluegrass sound, with more of a soft 70's rock theme. The style isn't found on any other album. Scarlet Begonia's is one of my favorite Dead songs (live: coupled with a good Fire on the Mountain!) and Unbroken Chain is my favorite Phil song!

The best of the band's studio albums. Every song is great except Money Money.

This album still contains, IMHO, the definitive version of US (later to become Useless) Blues. Keith Godchaux''s piano work shines throughout this great release. Great songs... yes, except Money Money. Weir must really have been experiencing writer''s block at the time, as it''s his only release on the record, and a poor one at that! But Garcia''s songs are wonderful.

Some of the classic Dead tunes that are indelibly inked intotheir songbook, including US Blues, Ship of Fools and ScarletBegonias. Fine Album!