Three From The Vault

Performer: Grateful Dead
Engineer: Jeffrey Norman; Don Pearson
Producer: Grateful Dead
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: Grateful Dead: Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir (guitar); Ron 'Pigpen' McKernan (harmonica); Phil Lesh (bass guitar); Bill Kreutzmann (drums). All tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology. If the question is "What could possibly be left in those vaults?" then the latest installment in Rhino's Grateful Dead live catalog THREE FROM THE VAULT is the resounding, encouraging answer: loads. The third installment in the legendary-among-Deadheads "Vault" series, THREE FROM THE VAULT benefits from the same multitrack sound that the first two did, capturing the Dead at their early-'70s peak and creating a more shapely sound than the band's usual soup. Recorded on February 19, 1971, at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, THREE FROM THE VAULT features the original Dead line-up sans second drummer Mickey Hart. The set is a whopper. The band tears through it with a ferocity that sometimes borders on garage-y. The absence of Hart leaves Bill Kreutzmann plenty of room to create lean, taut rhythms and Pigpen McKernan's usually downplayed organ is cranked, offering a refreshing third voice against the guitars of Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir. The highlights are many: a surprisingly funked-up version of "Loser," a riveting McKernan vocal turn on "Hurts Me Too," and the world premiere of "Bird Song." These moments just scratch the surface, as all the performances are stellar. There is a rare crispness and energy to the Dead's attack here. When the non-believers wonder why the 'heads love this band, THREE FROM THE VAULT should be the one of the first responses.

Dirty Linen (p.75) - "[T]his does contain some energetic tracks brimming with enthusiasm -- from the Dead and the crowd -- and the historic setting makes this especially worthwhile."

The Grateful Dead were right there at the birth of the 1960s West Coast psychedelic scene, but they handily incorporated simple folk, blues, and country sounds into their swirling, jam-oriented style. With an endless touring schedule and a huge following of devoted fans, the group fueled hippie visions well into the '90s and sparked the jam-band movement that would eventually fill the void left by the dearly departed Grateful Dead after the passing of guitarist Jerry Garcia. Since Garcia's passing, surviving members of the band have participated in various musical projects, including a reunion tour in 2003 under the shortened name of "the Dead."

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