Skull Fuck

As all of you Deadheads know this is a classic album. At times it might get overshadowed by Live/Dead and Europe '72. This might not be true, but in my world it has. Then some people over at Lost Sailor Pub began talking about this album. I had to dig it out and put it on. I am rather glad I did. First let me say this is a live album....sort of. It feels more like a studio disc. New songs, clean sound it's all there. The playing style is what confirms the live album aspect. This also has some masterful organ work from Merl Saunders during Bertha, Playing In The Band, and Wharf Rat. All of Merl's contributions were performed in the studio and overdubbed.

This is the skeleton crew of the Grateful Dead. The quintessential album from "The Quintet". Yet, this band seems to rock harder than any other line up. Johnny B. Goode is a straight rocker. Bertha is fast and furious. I guess I am trying to say this is full of high octane energy. This is another sign of it being a live album.

This was also the Dead's first Gold Album and the highest selling album at this time in Grateful Dead history. I really can't think of anything else that to write about this album that hasn't been said before. Enjoy rediscovering some that 1971 magic!!!!