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![History of the Grateful Dead Vol. 1 (Bear's Choice) [50th Anniversary Edition]](https://www.nugs.net/dw/image/v2/BCHN_PRD/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-nugs-master/default/dwd455bf86/images/hi-res/gdHOB50_01.jpg?sw=800&sh=800)
Tracklist
Katie Mae
284
Dark Hollow
233
I've Been All Around This World
258
Wake Up Little Susie
151
Black Peter
448
Smokestack Lightnin'
1079
Hard To Handle
374
History of the Grateful Dead Vol. 1 (Bear's Choice) [50th Anniversary Edition]
Stream this show and the entire Grateful Dead catalog
Limited Time Offer: Get a year of All Access streaming for 50% Off.
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Tracklist
Katie Mae
284
Dark Hollow
233
I've Been All Around This World
258
Wake Up Little Susie
151
Black Peter
448
Smokestack Lightnin'
1079
Hard To Handle
374
Show Notes
The Grateful Dead's first true archival album, Bear's Choice, was lovingly produced as a tribute to Pigpen shortly after he passed 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 of their history, as they were about to record Workingman's Dead (and shortly after that, American Beauty), and were transitioning into becoming Americana pioneers, while never losing touch with their psychedelic improvisational roots. Three of the eight songs on the album are sung by Pigpen, with Side 1 being the definitive example of early acoustic Dead and Side 2 being electric blues and rock & roll, with Pigpen leading the charge on both tracks on the second side. This has been remastered by David Glasser using Plangent Processes from the original analog 2-track tapes recorded live by Bear and has never sounded better.
