Formerly the Warlocks cover

Formerly the Warlocks

Grateful Dead · 2010

327 min · 42 tracks · psychedelic rock

An expansive blend of improvisational psychedelia and Americana, with a focus on the band's storied live performance legacy.

Spotify Apple Music
Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Foolish Heart Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
  • →
    Dark Star — This extended track exemplifies the band's improvisational skill, weaving through various melodic themes and creating an ethereal atmosphere that showcases their musical chemistry.
  • →
    Bird Song — A poignant rendition, this version emphasizes the lyrical depth and emotional resonance of the song while allowing for expansive instrumental exploration.
  • →
    Help on the Way — The seamless transition into Slipknot! illustrates the band's ability to merge intricate arrangements with spontaneous jamming, making it a highlight of their live repertoire.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

74 /100
Treeline
Higher than 72% of albums we've rated

The album captures the essence of Grateful Dead's live performances but lacks tight cohesion due to its sprawling nature.

What we noticed

  • The album features a total of 42 tracks, with many songs extending beyond ten minutes, allowing for extensive improvisation.
  • Several tracks transition seamlessly into one another, creating a continuous flow that enhances the live experience.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
8/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • sprawling sonic explorations
  • wave-like dynamic progression
  • improvisational jam sessions
  • deeply emotional lyrical moments
  • for long drives

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer short, concise tracks
  • seek instant gratification

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Late Career Highlight — Marks a significant return for the band after years, showcasing their enduring appeal.
Themes
post-Garcia nostalgia· psychedelic exploration· live improvisational journey
Career context
Released in 2010, Formerly the Warlocks marked a significant point in the Grateful Dead's posthumous discography. This album features recordings from their 1971 tour and captures the band at a time when they were solidifying their reputation as pioneers of live rock music.
New to Grateful Dead? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Foolish Heart Start here 8:00
  • 2 Walkin’ Blues 7:41
  • 3 Candyman 7:29
  • 4 Me and My Uncle 3:11
  • 5 Big River 6:47
  • 6 Stagger Lee 5:58
  • 7 Queen Jane Approximately 6:53
  • 8 Bird Song 13:24
  • 9 Promised Land 4:57

Disc 2

  • 1 Help on the Way 4:44
  • 2 Slipknot! 4:54
  • 3 Franklin’s Tower 8:26
  • 4 Victim or the Crime 8:30
  • 5 Eyes of the World 9:07
  • 6 Rhythm Devils 10:44

Disc 3

  • 1 Space 8:44
  • 2 I Need a Miracle 5:01
  • 3 The Wheel 4:13
  • 4 Gimme Some Lovin’ 4:30
  • 5 Morning Dew 13:24
  • 6 We Bid You Goodnight 3:56

Disc 4

  • 1 Feel Like a Stranger 8:16
  • 2 Built to Last 5:03
  • 3 Little Red Rooster 9:09
  • 4 Ramble On Rose 7:53
  • 5 We Can Run 6:31
  • 6 Jack‐A‐Roe 4:37
  • 7 Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again 10:10
  • 8 Row Jimmy 11:08
  • 9 The Music Never Stopped 8:15

Disc 5

  • 1 Playing in the Band 11:23
  • 2 Uncle John’s Band 11:58
  • 3 Playing in the Band 2:20
  • 4 Dark Star 19:22
  • 5 Rhythm Devils 9:55

Disc 6

  • 1 Space 7:26
  • 2 Death Don’t Have No Mercy 8:47
  • 3 Dear Mr. Fantasy 5:14
  • 4 Hey Jude 3:12
  • 5 Throwing Stones 10:17
  • 6 Good Lovin’ 9:21
  • 7 Attics of My Life 6:33

What to play next

Wake of the Flood
Listen next

Wake of the Flood

1973

Continues the blend of improvisation and storytelling in a live setting.
Built to Last
Go back to

Built to Last

1989

Offers a more structured sound leading into the expansive nature of the current album.
Full Grateful Dead discography Where to start with Grateful Dead Artists like Grateful Dead Which Grateful Dead albums to start with
psychedelic rock

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

A Live One

A Live One

Phish

Shares the same improvisational spirit and live energy, blending genres in a psychedelic context.

At Fillmore East

At Fillmore East

The Allman Brothers Band

Captures a similar blend of extended jams and heartfelt storytelling in a live setting.

Lonerism

Lonerism

Tame Impala

Explores psychedelic themes with rich soundscapes and introspective lyrics, echoing the exploratory nature.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata