Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia really made a master piece while writing it. The writing is fantastic and shows throughout the tune. The song opens with a nice, mellow acoustic vibe, complimented on the very interesting lyrics sung by Jerry Garcia. Without a doubt, “Ripple” is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. Jerry Garcia also does a great job singing the track. It easily sets itself apart from the other tunes musically and attitude wise. Aside from being a rapist’s delight, “Candyman” is a wonderful and catchy song. Not only that, but the music is always slow and soothing and the lyrical content usually/almost reflects the concept. For they both possess a very eerie and sly attitude, like one of a rapist. “Candyman”, like Pigpen’s “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl” would easily make it on the track list.
I have always found it funny that a certain number of Grateful Dead songs could easily make a soundtrack for a rapist. Either way, it is always a treat to hear the deep, Bluesy, Howlin’ Wolf influenced voice that is Ron “Pigpen” McKernan. The lyrics do not need to be sung emotionally. He does not express much emotion, like on covers of “Good Lovin’” or “Good Morning Little School Girl”, but he does sing the song in a surely plausible manner. The riff is most easily described as carnival like, but it is slightly irrelevant. “Operator” is once again based upon a riff, but does not have the same formula as other that are ran by guitar riffs do. The boy had grown up in a Black neighbored for most of his short life, and was of course influenced by many forms of the Blues. Being that Pigpen is most definitely the “Blues man” of the Grateful Dead, this is no surprises. “Operator” is a song that can possibly fall under Country Blues. Luckily, it most certainly exceeds a quality rating. The first and last track sung by Ron “Pigpen” McKernan on American Beauty. The tune contains many different climaxes, but the once that surpasses them all would surely be when Bob Weir unleashes the first solo sung vocal on the song. It is lead by a very catchy riff that I had set out to learn since my first listen and completely delivers, especially live.
This simply, but nicely composed Bob Weir song speaks about pure love and good times. Since my first listen of the Grateful Dead’s greatest hits album Skeletons from the Closet, I have been in love with “Sugar Magnolia”. “Friend of the Devil” is a simply fantastic. Robert Hunter managed to write this number with very interesting imagery and various other poetic attributes. His hopes of returning to his love are great, but his previous encounter with the Devil set him back mentally. A story if told about a man running from his troubles, but trying to keep optimistic. Not only does this ballad satisfy most instrumentally, but being a ballad, it tells a story. Through perfectly timed intertwining guitar playing, and wonderful instrumental harmonizing, the group sets this piece apart from the rest. A for sure fan favorite.Ī wonderful display of the group’s Folk side. For the song is greatly layered with nicely played guitars, and there really isn’t much to complain about. Instrumentally, the intro does not disappoint. Which brings a very sincere attitude to Phil Lesh’s voice as he sings this love tune. The mother of Jerry Garcia, and the father of Phil Lesh had passed away during the writing of the song. In many tracks, the band will add a touch of the intricate, drug induced material the Dead and bands like Jefferson Airplane and Moby Grape were known for performing in the 1960’s’ San Francisco Psychedelic scene.Ī very emotional song that was created during a very sad time in the Grateful Dead history. However, unlike the band’s previous release, Workingman’s Dead, the group does not completely abandon their Psychedelic and Acid Rock side. Since their 1970’s debut, Workingman’s Dead, the group had been performing and displaying there new musical form.Īmerican Beauty is a perfect display of the new genre the Dead fall into at this time, Country Rock.
Bluegrass, Blues, Folk and Country would now describe the Grateful Dead the best. Which would leave fans and Dead heads guessing when the band lightened their Psychedelic sound and picked up a more classic sound of their roots. Throughout the late sixties the Grateful Dead had defined the terms Psychedelia and Acid Rock.
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