Ranking the Studio Albums: Grateful Dead

Join host Pete Pardo as he ranks the studio catalog of West Coast psychedelic/jam band legends the Grateful Dead. #gratefuldead

[billymac]

I was a casual Dead fan until about four years ago when I was tasked with playing Bob Weir’s guitar parts for a band I’m in. He’s a highly underrated guitarist (just listen to the classical prelude to Weather Report Suite). I discovered that he’s very prevalent in the Europe ‘72 mixes. Started delving into the box set of those shows and unlocked the door to the mystery of this music.
The Dead are an amazing pastiche of American roots music. At different phases of their career, you may find them delving into folk, jazz, bluegrass, country, garage rock, psychedelia, blues, disco, pop, prog rock...they really are more than they appear at first glance.
As far as the studio stuff, I’m partial to Mars Hotel (2 Phil songs!), Workingman’s, Go to Heaven, Blues for Allah. It’s tricky because if you appreciate each era, they all have something to offer.

[Taffer]

Will watch it later. Saw them 37 times. 1987-1992. I miss the truly peaceful times.

[BoneTicklers]

I needed this list to figure out which ones were studio albums! The Spotify list is a mile long.

[czmisfitsfan]

I'm a hardcore Deadhead and my top five is almost exactly the same as yours, the only difference being that Terrapin is my #1 and Blues is my #2.

[kevinmoore]

I’m gonna have to check out the dead they have never been as popular here in England, but I am looking forward to giving them a go now after watching this .

[johnhermes]

I’m not a Deadhead by any stretch of the imagination, but I do love “Working Man’s Dead” and “American Beauty”. I grew up listening to a lot of country, so that blend of country and blues rock really works for me.

[plopcoen]

As ever, I enjoyed your thoughtful personal take.

My ha'penny's worth...

Studio albums:

1. Wake of the Flood
2. Blues For Allah
3. American Beauty
4. Mars Hotel
5. Workingman's Dead
6. In The Dark
7. Anthem of the Sun
8. Go to Heaven
9. Terrapin Station
10. Aoxomoxoa
11. Grateful Dead
12. Shakedown Street
13. Built to Last

Live albums prior to the exquisite deluge of archival releases:

1. Live Dead
2. Reckoning
3. Europe 72
4. Skull & Roses
5. Without a Net
6. Dead Set
6. Steal Your Face
6. Bear's Choice

[sammack]

Pete, the two solo albums, Bob Weir's Ace & Jerry Garcia's Garcia are both excellent as well and contain many of their best tunes.

[mlblue]

Great list man! No one got hurt! Thanks for sharing your opinion! I love the Dead! Do you got a music room tour? Equipment, speakers and such?

[kurtbreihan]

1. Blues for Allah
2. Anthem of the Sun
3. Workingman's Dead
4. Grateful Dead
5. American Beauty

Guess I am partial to the Pigpen era.

Also, Garcia's solo records Garcia, Reflections, and Cats Under the Stars you might enjoy, and also Ace by Bob Weir.

Love your show

[devonpritsch]

Workingman’s Dead always has been my favorite

[eduardos]

Thank you very much, Pete Pardo. You do a great job. I always watch and I really like your videos. I'm a big fan of the Grateful Dead (it's my favorite band)
My ranking of studio albums:
13 - Built To Last
12 - Go To Heaven
11 - Shakedown Street
10 - Terrapin Station
09 - In The Dark
08 - From Mars Hotel
07 - The Grateful Dead (1967)
06 - Wake Of The Flood
05 - Blues For Allah
04 - Anthem Of The Sun
03 - Workingman's Dead
02 - Aoxomoxoa
01 - American Beauty

[DrVonChilla]

"Wake Of The Flood" has been my favorite for decades.

[dougsotto]

Hugh head so I would rank them
1- American Beauty 2- Workingman’s Dead 3- Terrapin Station 4- Blues For Allah 5- Wake of the Flood

[Purespirit]

I could never understand the appeal of the Grateful Dead except their mascot! So I'm giving them a chance with this ranking of their albums because most the time I agree with Pete's opinion

[BlindArthurBlake]

I'm an Anthem Of The Sun guy, myself

[alexandergilles]

American Beauty is just that. A beauty. First album of theirs I heard and it turned me onto them, so it holds a special place for me

[dmitrysobolin]

Yesterday, September 1, "Blues For Allah", celebrated its 45th anniversary. My favorite is the "Wake Of The Flood".

[diannecarpenter]

Thank you for Ranking the Studio Albums: The Grateful Dead.🎤🎸🎵🥁

[SuperStrik]

People go on about how it's all about live shows with the Dead but I love their studio albums. Blues For Allah is my favorite Grateful Dead studio album.