Grateful Dead – Go To Heaven

Often regarded as one of the Dead’s best studio albums (it’s all about the live recordings), Go To Heaven features a number of staples from the Dead’s sets including Alabama Getaway, Althea, Feels Like A Stranger, Lost Sailor/Saint Of Circumstance, and Don’t Ease Me In. While the Dead clearly never aimed to be commercial, these versions of their classic songs almost feel like they’re meant for radio play — polished and recorded with studio precision. Some credit should probably be given to producer Gary Lyons, who had previously worked with Queen, Aerosmith, and would later mix The Rolling Stones’ classic Tattoo You. Our favorite of the bunch is the slow and steadily grooving Jerry Garcia tune “Althea,” which features some of his most beautiful lead blues guitar playing. The Dead apparently added the song to their sets shortly after Go To Heaven was released, and its since become one of the beloved Dead songs. RIP Bob Weir!