Ladies & Gentlemen: The Grateful Dead
This four-disc set documents the Dead's monumental five-night final run at New York's Fillmore East in April 1971. Coming from the same period as the liveSkull and Rosesalbum, it finds the band at its most sinewy--without second drummer Mickey Hart and without much in the way of Pigpen's keyboard work. What stands out here, beyond the intense, emotionally charged yet somewhat playful performances, is the strength and diversity of the repertoire. In addition to the plethora of newer originals, we hear a number of Pigpen's beloved blues shouters: "Next Time You See Me," "Ain't It Crazy," "I'm a King Bee," "Turn on Your Love Light," "It Hurts Me Too," "Hard to Handle," and "In the Midnight Hour." Also of note are readings of lesser-played material such as "Second That Emotion," "Ripple," "Sing Me Back Home," and "Alligator." All in all, it's a worthy celebration of one of the Dead's most legendary venues, as well as a prime slice of vintage Dead music.--Marc Greilsamer