The Best of the Grateful Dead cover

The Best of the Grateful Dead

Grateful Dead · 2015

157 min · 32 tracks · psychedelic rock

A vibrant tapestry of improvisational rock, blending folk influences with psychedelic explorations and heartfelt storytelling.

Why this album works

This album serves as an essential introduction to the Grateful Dead's music, highlighting key tracks that define their sound and influence on American rock. It reflects the band’s enduring legacy by reaching significant chart positions and receiving critical acclaim, helping to cement their status in music history through its comprehensive selection of fan favorites.
Career context
Released in 2015, 'The Best of the Grateful Dead' comes as a retrospective collection celebrating the band's extensive catalog and cultural impact. At this point, the Grateful Dead had solidified their legacy as pioneers of the jam band movement and were enjoying renewed interest following the death of frontman Jerry Garcia in 1995. This compilation showcases their evolution from early psychedelia to later more polished studio efforts.

Tracklist

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

Disc 1

  • 1 The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion) 2:09
  • 2 Cream Puff War 2:28
  • 3 Born Cross-Eyed 2:04
  • 4 Dark Star (single version) Standout 2:41
  • 5 St. Stephen 4:26
  • 6 China Cat Sunflower 3:40
  • 7 Uncle John’s Band Standout 4:42
  • 8 Easy Wind 4:59
  • 9 Casey Jones 4:24
  • 10 Truckin’ 5:03
  • 11 Box of Rain 5:17
  • 12 Sugar Magnolia 3:17
  • 13 Friend of the Devil 3:21
  • 14 Ripple 4:10
  • 15 Eyes of the World 5:16
  • 16 Unbroken Chain 6:45
  • 17 Scarlet Begonias 4:19
  • 18 The Music Never Stopped 4:35
  • 19 Estimated Prophet 5:35

Disc 2

  • 1 Terrapin Station 16:10
  • 2 Shakedown Street 4:59
  • 3 I Need a Miracle 3:36
  • 4 Fire on the Mountain 3:46
  • 5 Feel Like a Stranger 5:06
  • 6 Far From Me 3:39
  • 7 Touch of Grey Standout 5:47
  • 8 Hell in a Bucket 5:35
  • 9 Throwing Stones 7:18
  • 10 Black Muddy River 5:58
  • 11 Blow Away 6:09
  • 12 Foolish Heart 5:10
  • 13 Standing on the Moon 5:20

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata