"Workingman's Dead" is proof against the fact that the Grateful Dead can't produce brilliant recordings in the studio. Always praised for its natural sound, the album now becomes an audiophile reference disc with this remastering. Remastered by Krieg Wunderlich for Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, the 1970 recording bristles with detail and airiness on a wide and deep stage. The incredible tonal and vocal balance will blow even longtime Deadheads away.
"Workingman's Dead" is the Dead's first album to be limited to great songs, simple warmth and pure essentials. Thus, the album opens with the laid-back "Uncle John's Band" and the innocent invitation, "Will you come with me?" The new restraint probably stemmed from the turbulent times the band found itself in. Financial problems, drugs and, above all, the tragic outcome of the Altamont Music Festival and, with it, the symbolic end of the "Peace & Love" era marked the creation of the album.
The reflection on the simple and on Crosby, Stills and Nash inspired, simply beautiful vocal harmonies make "Workingman's Dead" a timeless album. The double 45 rpm LP on 180-gram vinyl comes in a limited edition gatefold cover with sequential serial number. Highly recommended for any collection!
Title
Side One
1. Uncle John’s Band
2. High Time
Side Two
3. Dire Wolf
4. New Speedway
Side Three
5. Cumberland Blues
6. Black Peter
Side Four
7. Easy Wind
8. Casey Jones
