Search - Grateful Dead :: Postcards of the Hanging

When Bob and Jerry hung out, what did they talk about?

Wendell Chancellor | Utah | 12/03/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There is a danger in reviewing the Grateful Dead. As a guy with kids, a job, and a mortgage, I am certain to fumble details that are common knowledge among true deadheads. I apologize in advance.



"Postcards from the Hanging" makes me believe there is a different way to live. It combines the loose, behind-the-beat Dead interpretations of some of the best poetry of the twentieth century. The result is a longing to live cleaner, easier, more creatively, and closer to the heart. This is what art is supposed to do.



So maybe I am not as discriminating as some of the other reviewers (there probably are better verisions), but nervertheless I was moved.



"Postcards" for me combined two sentimental memories. I was taken back to when I was thirteen, taping "Blood on the Tracks" off of Stereo X in the basement on a Sunday night. I was taken back to when I was 21, working in the lumber yard and listening to all-Grateful-Dead Saturdays on Utah's start-up community radio station. How could I resist this combination of two heroes from simpler times?



I was unable to resist another combination--"Dylan and the Dead." Ouch. (Who wanted to include eleven minutes of "Joey"?) Stay away from "Dylan and the Dead." Confidently immerse your ears in "Postcards."



Look, for the Dead to be about psychedelic interpretation of folk music--which on some level they were, they had to do Dylan's work. Dylan was and is the godfather of all post-modern American folk music. The combination is a natural one. For the casual fan of the Dead, this is probably the most accessible package of their Dylan work.



And yes I do agree that Jerry is by far the better voice for Dylan's lyrics. When Bob and Jerry got together, what did they talk about?"

Excellent Covers

Michael Canter | Naperville, IL USA | 08/01/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Grateful Dead is probably the most famous "cover band" of all time. And the artist they covered more than any other was Bob Dylan, and this is their best work covering his songs.



Whether you are a fan or not, or a fan of Bob Dylan or not, you should enjoy this cd very much. "Desolation Row" is the best track on the disc, though "Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again", "When I Paint My Masterpiece" and "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" are strong efforts. A previous reviewer recommends "Dylan and The Dead" vs. "Postcards.........", but trust me, this is a MUCH BETTER collection. Do yourself a favor and pick this up. If you are Dead fan it is a must have. If you are not, it is still a great disc to listen to and you will soon be a Dead-head afterwards.



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