Beyond Description

Grateful Dead · 2004

924 min · 162 tracks · psychedelic rock

A sprawling collection of live and studio recordings that encapsulates the Grateful Dead's improvisational spirit and eclectic sound.

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Why this album works

Best for: dynamic journey with peaks long-form explorations of sound sprawling collection for deep dives
Context: Released in 2004, 'Beyond Description' is a comprehensive box set capturing the band's evolution from 1973 to 1989. This period marked the Grateful Dead's peak creativity and collaboration, showcasing both iconic live performances and lesser-known studio outtakes. The album serves as a bridge between their earlier experimental works and their later, more polished sound.
If you like: psychedelic rock

Beyond Description is an album by Grateful Dead, released in 2004. A sprawling collection of live and studio recordings that encapsulates the Grateful Dead's improvisational spirit and eclectic sound. This compilation not only highlights the Grateful Dead's extensive catalog but also received critical acclaim for its detailed curation. It offers rare insights into their creative process, influencing countless jam bands and rock musicians who followed. The box set was recognized for its historical significance, cementing the band's legacy in American music culture. Here's what makes it worth your time and what to listen to next.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Beyond Description sound like?

A sprawling collection of live and studio recordings that encapsulates the Grateful Dead's improvisational spirit and eclectic sound. Rooted in psychedelic rock.

What makes Beyond Description by Grateful Dead notable?

This compilation not only highlights the Grateful Dead's extensive catalog but also received critical acclaim for its detailed curation. It offers rare insights into their creative process, influencing countless jam bands and rock musicians who followed. The box set was recognized for its historical significance, cementing the band's legacy in American music culture. Released in 2004, 'Beyond Description' is a comprehensive box set capturing the band's evolution from 1973 to 1989. This period marked the Grateful Dead's peak creativity and collaboration, showcasing both iconic live performances and lesser-known studio outtakes. The album serves as a bridge between their earlier experimental works and their later, more polished sound.

Who is Beyond Description for?

Beyond Description works well if you're into dynamic journey with peaks, long-form explorations of sound and sprawling collection for deep dives.

How many songs are on Beyond Description?

Beyond Description has 162 tracks, running approximately 924 minutes.

Tracklist

162 tracks·924:57

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

1 Mississippi Half‐Step Uptown Toodleloo 5:43
2 Let Me Sing Your Blues Away 3:19
3 Row Jimmy 7:15
4 Stella Blue Standout 6:27
5 Here Comes Sunshine 4:40
6 Eyes of the World Standout 5:21
7 Weather Report Suite 12:42
8 Eyes of the World (live) 17:02
9 Weather Report Suite (studio acoustic demo) 12:36
10 China Doll (studio outtake) 4:02

Disc 2

1 U.S. Blues 4:42
2 China Doll 4:11
3 Unbroken Chain 6:47
4 Loose Lucy 3:22
5 Scarlet Begonias Standout 4:19
6 Pride of Cucamonga 4:18
7 Money Money 4:23
8 Ship of Fools 5:28
9 Loose Lucy (studio outtake) 4:41
10 Scarlet Begonias (live) 9:09
11 Money Money (live) 4:20
12 Wave That Flag (live) 5:34
13 Let It Rock (live) 3:19
14 Pride of Cucamonga (studio acoustic demo) 4:24
15 Unbroken Chain (studio acoustic demo) 6:21

Disc 3

1 Help on the Way / Slipknot! 7:20
2 Franklin’s Tower 4:37
3 King Solomon’s Marbles, Part 1: Stronger Than Dirt, Part 2: Milkin’ the Turkey 5:13
4 The Music Never Stopped 4:35
5 Crazy Fingers 6:41
6 Sage & Spirit 3:07
7 Blues for Allah / Sand Castles & Glass Camels / Unusual Occurrences in the Desert 12:33
8 Groove #1 (instrumental studio outtake) 5:42
9 Groove #2 (instrumental studio outtake) 7:32
10 Distorto (instrumental studio outtake) 8:10
11 A to E Flat Jam (instrumental studio outtake) 4:35
12 Proto 18 Proper (instrumental studio outtake) 4:16
13 Hollywood Cantata (studio outtake) 4:14

Disc 4

1 Estimated Prophet 5:37
2 Dancin’ in the Streets 3:17
3 Passenger 2:48
4 Samson and Delilah 3:39
5 Sunrise 4:04
6 Terrapin Station (medley) 16:10
7 Peggy‐O (instrumental studio outtake) 4:42
8 The Ascent (instrumental studio outtake) 1:58
9 Catfish John (studio outtake) 4:40
10 Equinox (studio outtake) 5:14
11 Fire on the Mountain (studio outtake) 6:25
12 Dancin’ in the Streets (live) 16:17

Disc 5

1 Good Lovin’ 4:51
2 France 4:03
3 Shakedown Street 4:59
4 Serengetti 1:59
5 Fire on the Mountain 3:46
6 I Need a Miracle 3:36
7 From the Heart of Me 3:23
8 Stagger Lee 3:25
9 New Minglewood Blues 4:14
10 If I Had the World to Give 4:50
11 Good Lovin’ (studio outtake) 4:54
12 Ollin Arageed (live) 6:30
13 Fire on the Mountain (live) 13:41
14 Stagger Lee (live) 6:36
15 All New Minglewood Blues (live) 4:34

Disc 6

1 Alabama Getaway 3:36
2 Far From Me 3:41
3 Althea 6:54
4 Feel Like a Stranger 5:10
5 Lost Sailor 5:54
6 Saint of Circumstance 5:39
7 Antwerp’s Placebo (The Plumber) 0:40
8 Easy to Love You 3:41
9 Don’t Ease Me In 3:16
10 Peggy‐O (studio outtake 7/16/79) 5:49
11 What’ll You Raise (studio outtake 7/16/79) 4:08
12 Jack‐a‐Roe (studio outtake 7/14/79) 4:51
13 Althea (live at Radio City Music Hall, New York City, NY 10/80) 8:17
14 Lost Sailor (live at Radio City Music Hall, New York City, NY 10/25/80) 6:42
15 Saint of Circumstance (live at Radio City Music Hall, New York City, NY 10/25/80) 6:35

Disc 7

1 Dire Wolf 3:20
2 The Race Is On 2:58
3 Oh Babe, It Ain’t No Lie 6:28
4 It Must Have Been the Roses 6:56
5 Dark Hollow 3:49
6 China Doll 5:22
7 I’ve Been All Around This World 4:31
8 Monkey and the Engineer 2:37
9 Jack‐A‐Roe 4:05
10 Deep Elem Blues 4:51
11 Cassidy 4:38
12 To Lay Me Down 8:59
13 Rosalie McFall 2:54
14 On the Road Again 3:15
15 Bird Song 7:34
16 Ripple 4:38

Disc 8

1 To Lay Me Down (studio rehearsal) 9:13
2 Iko Iko (live) 4:23
3 Heaven Help the Fool (live) 6:18
4 El Paso (live) 4:40
5 Sage & Spirit (live) 3:13
6 Little Sadie (live) 2:44
7 It Must Have Been the Roses (alternate live version) 7:00
8 Dark Hollow (alternate live version) 4:30
9 Jack‐a‐Roe (alternate live version) 5:07
10 Cassidy (alternate live version) 5:06
11 China Doll (alternate live version) 5:52
12 Monkey and the Engineer (alternate live version) 2:36
13 Oh Babe It Ain’t No Lie (alternate live version) 7:12
14 Ripple (alternate live version) 4:39
15 Tom Dooley (live) 3:32
16 Deep Elem Blues (alternate live version) 3:41

Disc 9

1 Samson and Delilah 5:02
2 Friend of the Devil 7:28
3 New Minglewood Blues 4:41
4 Deal 4:36
5 Candyman 7:15
6 Little Red Rooster 4:31
7 Loser 5:45
8 Passenger 3:21
9 Feel Like a Stranger 5:41
10 Franklin’s Tower 5:22
11 Rhythm Devils 4:02
12 Space 2:29
13 Fire on the Mountain 6:30
14 Greatest Story Ever Told 4:04
15 Brokedown Palace 5:42

Disc 10

1 Let It Grow 9:38
2 Sugaree 9:51
3 C.C. Rider 7:17
4 Row Jimmy 10:14
5 Lazy Lightnin’ 3:24
6 Supplication 5:49
7 High Time 8:40
8 Jack Straw 6:16
9 Shakedown Street 10:41
10 Not Fade Away 4:49

Disc 11

1 Touch of Grey 5:47
2 Hell in a Bucket 5:35
3 When Push Comes to Shove 4:05
4 West L.A. Fadeaway 6:39
5 Tons of Steel 5:15
6 Throwing Stones 7:18
7 Black Muddy River 5:58
8 My Brother Esau (single B‐side 6/16/87) 4:17
9 West L.A. Fadeaway (alternate version 3/84) 7:08
10 Black Muddy River (studio rehearsal 12/5/86) 5:38
11 When Push Comes to Shove (studio rehearsal 12/5/86) 4:21
12 Touch of Grey (studio rehearsal 8/82) 5:44
13 Throwing Stones (live at Schaefer Stadium, Foxboro, MA 7/4/87) 9:36

Disc 12

1 Foolish Heart 5:11
2 Just a Little Light 4:43
3 Built to Last 5:04
4 Blow Away 6:11
5 Victim or the Crime 7:35
6 We Can Run 5:32
7 Standing on the Moon 5:20
8 Picasso Moon 6:42
9 I Will Take You Home 3:45
10 Foolish Heart (live at Alpine Valley Music Theater, East Troy, WI 7/19/89) 11:31
11 Blow Away (live at JFK Stadium, Philadelphia, PA 7/7/89) 12:02
12 California Earthquake (Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On) (live at The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA 10/20/89) 5:59