The Grateful Dead: Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir (vocals, guitar); Ron "Pigpen" McKernan (vocals, organ, percussion, harmonica); Phil Lesh (vocals, bass); Donna Godchaux (vocals); Keith Godchaux (piano); Bill Kreutzmann (drums).
Recorded live at Wembley Empire Pool, Newcastle City Hall, Bickershaw Festival and Lyceum Theatre, England in April & May 1972. Includes liner notes by Blair Jackson.
All tracks have been digitally remastered using HDCD technology.
The generous four-disc collection STEPPIN' OUT draws from the same 1972 British tour that's documented on the classic EUROPE '72 album, but this 2002 release delves even deeper into those archives. It was a unique time for the band; keyboardist Keith Godchaux had just arrived, but founding organist/singer/harmonica player Pigpen would still be hanging on for a few more months until his death in '73. Thus, the bands rootsy/bluesy beginnings are represent on Pigpen features such as "It Hurts Me Too" and "Turn on Your Lovelight" while Godchaux helps stir the swirling, cosmic jams of "Playing in the Band" and "The Other One." Also, Mickey Hart had taken a hiatus, leaving Bill Kreutzmann the only drummer, which makes for a more pointed, groove-based rhythm feel even on the more psychedelic, sprawling numbers.
You'll hear stellar versions of some of the usual suspects from the Dead's '70s repertoire (the Dylan-meets-Chuck Berry "Greatest Story Ever Told," the day-glo Buddy Holly of "Not Fade Away"). However, there are some rarities such as the Bob Weir-sung narrative "Black-Throated Wind," and covers of Huey "Piano" Smith's New Orleans R&B classic "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu" and the self-explanatory "Hey Bo Diddley." With production overseen by the Dead's organization, STEPPIN' OUT boasts excellent fidelity and virtually no weak spots.
Professional Reviews
Entertainment Weekly (7/26/02, p.69) - "...Captures a fully charged septet, complete with the ill-fated vocalist Ron 'Pigpen' McKernan, digging deep into well-loved material...vibrant playing from an ensemble that truly came alive only on stage." - Rating: A
Q (11/02, p.129) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Jerry Garcia's guitaring is spellbinding throughout..."
Mojo (Publisher) (9/02, p.113) - "...erraticism, inspiration and glorious excess."
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