It's one of their most popular albums commercially...generally considered part of a pair with "American Beauty".

Yeah, like WCT said, it's generally seen as one of the studio albums they really got right. Most of their albums are usually dismissed as being comprised of inferior versions to assorted live cuts, but "Workingman's" and "Beauty" are probably the two most highly regarded studio records they made.

Yeah, those two are tops, studio wise.

But I'm really partial to Garcia's Reflections album. Half of it is Jerry Garcia Band backing him and the other half is the Grateful Dead.

Weir's Ace, is like that too I think. But, you know...

I like garcia - garcia the best of all of the studio albums

What are y'alls thoughts on Blues for Allah? I have a decent amount of their studio albums, and I really like the debut too, but I don't have much after American Beauty.

What Dick's Picks do y'all recommend? I have vol 8. I also have live in Europe 72, which is really good.

The songs on "Blues For Allah" are great -- "Help on the Way" is very nearly my favorite Dead song. However, I would recommend instead getting the live album "One From the Vault" (the very first archival live album the Dead ever released), which contains a full performance of "Blues For Allah" that in my opinion is a lot crisper than the studio recording yet is also faithful enough to it to be a fitting substitute (the show pre-dates the album release, so there's not a ton of stretching of the arrangements yet).

As far as Dick's Picks, I am partial to Volume 12 above all, which is selections from two shows in late June 1974, focusing on unique one-of-a-kind jams and some lesser-played ballads like "To Lay Me Down" and "Ship of Fools," as well as some great versions of standbys like "China Cat/Rider" and "Eyes of the World."

Thank you sir! I think One From The Vault will be my next Dead adventure.

Like two years ago, I got on a kick and got their early studio albums, S/T through American Beauty.

I was pleasantly surprised with the debut. I don't hear it mentioned too often as a "must have", but I'm glad I got it. There are some really good tunes there. I don't like the second album as much, but Aoxomoxoa is better. Working Man's seems to be a step up, and Sugar even better. Anyway, I'm still kinda going through those albums, especially Anthem and Aoxomoxoa (Working Man's and Beauty have gotten much more play).

Prior to those, I had Shakedown Street, b/c I thought the song was really fun, and Terrapin Station (burned it from my brother in law). From what I remember though, I wasn't a big fan of either, outside of a few songs. One From the Vault will be a good bridge between Beauty and Station, without getting the proper studio album. Thanks again for the recommendation.

Dicks picks 8 w the acoustic set is prob the best

As for studio albums, usually listen to the bootlegs so I dunno.. American beauty n working man's are viewed as the best.. blues starts off strong w my fav dead songs (help/slip/tower) but slides after that

I've been listening to the 30 trips box a lot, specifically the 69 show.. plus a bunch of the 77 boots.. mainly Ithaca n Boston

You can't really go wrong with the Dick's Picks. If you have spotify, they're all on there too. Wholeheartedly agree with volumes 8 and 12 as well, those helped get me hooked.

Some of my favorites are:

Volume 2 (Halloween 1971)
I think its the only one disc pick. I think its the second set, and its got a great Dark Star with a Tighten Up jam. Short but sweet, which sometimes is a good thing with these dudes.

Volume 4 (Fillmore East, February 1970)
As opposed to volume 2, this set is an absolute behemoth. Essential listening here. It's got it all.

Volume 36 (Philly, September 1972)
Sometimes I think 1972 is my favorite year for the band. After Europe and the Oregon show, come Fall the band was really cookin'. Four discs, but top notch. One of my favorite Dark Stars too.

Yeah, Volume 4 is stellar. Haven't heard SNC's other two picks, but I agree about '72. Volume 11 is another really good set from that late summer/autumn tour.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys! I'll probably venture more into some live Dead this summer (they are a good summer band). In the meantime, I'll have to revisit Europe '72, and Dick's Picks vol.8.

Oh, my: http://pitchfork.com/news/62163-the-nat ... l_facebook

Simply, foolish.

Cant wait.

Really digging the Courtney Barnett cover -- the rest I thought were pretty bad:
http://pitchfork.com/news/64364-the-nat ... ad-listen/

that War On Drugs version of "Touch of Grey" wasn't fun

The phrasing ruined it -- they've got all the right ingredients in place, but the vocal performance was so half-assed.

yeah agreed.

at first it sounded like, "Oh hey it's an alt version of that Under The Pressure song"

their live version I saw a few years ago was SO good. was kinda bummed by the studio take. sounds like 80's Dylan ambling through it. it's not BAD, but not nearly as good as this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKA6NZ_Hbuk

i do like this take on their cover though:

http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/181 ... al_twitter

funny, that's the only one i don't really care for, but her monotone voice isn't my favorite.

the National's take on 'Morning Dew' is stunning.