History Of The Grateful Dead, Vol. 1 (Bear's Choice)

The Grateful Dead's first true archival album, "Bear's Choice," was lovingly produced as a tribute to Pigpen shortly after his passing by none other than the Dead's original soundman and benefactor, Owsley Stanley, aka Bear. Drawing from live shows recorded three years earlier by Bear at the Fillmore East in New York City, "Bear's Choice" captures the Dead at an essential moment in their history. This album showcases the band as they were about to record "Workingman's Dead" and "American Beauty," transitioning into Americana pioneers while maintaining their psychedelic improvisational roots. Three of the eight songs on the album are sung by Pigpen, with Side 1 exemplifying early Acoustic Dead and Side 2 featuring electric blues and rock & roll, with Pigpen leading the charge on both tracks. This 50th Anniversary Edition has been remastered by David Glasser using Plangent Processes from the original analog 2-track tapes recorded live by Bear, ensuring the best sound quality possible.