Terrapin Station

by Grateful Dead

Overview

It is generally agreed that the Grateful Dead's late-'70s studio releases left even the most enthusiastic Deadheads longing for something more. The theory is that the band's momentum is best experienced during the ebb and flow of a live performance rather than the somewhat clinical tedium of a recording studio. Terrapin Station marks several milestones for the Grateful Dead: it was the band's first studio album in two years, as well as their return to a major label -- in this case Arista Records. More significant however is the use of an outside (read: non-Grateful Dead) producer. This was only the second time in which the Dead did not seize complete control. And the first time in a decade that they would relinquish their production reigns. They chose Keith Olsen -- a former member of the '60s garage rock band Music Machine -- whose production roster also included other Bay Area notables including the Sons of Champlin and Santana. Musically, Terrapin Station offers a few choice glimpses of the band doing what it does best. While the most prominent example is the album's extended title suite, there are a few others such as the cover of the Rev. Gary Davis gospel-blues "Samson and Delilah" and a resurrection of the Martha & the Vandellas hit "Dancin' in the Streets." The latter tune was originally performed by the Dead in their mid-'60s repertoire. What was once a garage rock and psychedelic reading has evolved into a 4/4-time, brass-influenced disco arrangement. Luckily, their extended versions during concert performances were infinitely more tolerable. Parties interested in examining the contrast between the studio and live performance versions of Terrapin Station material should seek the archival concert release Dick's Picks, Vol. 3. This two-disc set not only captures the band exactly two months and two days prior to the release of Terrapin Station, it also features stellar performances of every track from the album sans the up-tempo rocker "Passenger." ~ Lindsay Planer

Product Details

Release Date:	01/12/2024
Label:	Grateful Dead / Rbdo 2171
UPC:	0603497830824
Rank:	16722

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Grateful Dead   Primary Artist
Tom Scott   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Lyricon,Saxophone
Martyn Ford   Conductor
English Chorale   Choir/Chorus
Keith Godchaux   Piano,Vocals,Keyboards,Synthesizer
The English Choral   Vocals
Phil Lesh   Bass,Vocals,Guitar (Bass)
Mickey Hart   Drums,Percussion,Vibraphone
Donna Jean Godchaux   Vocals,Lead Vocals
Robert Howes   Conductor
Martyn Ford Orchestra   Strings,Orchestra
Bill Kreutzmann   Drums,Percussion
Bob Weir   Guitar,Vocals,Lead Vocals
Jerry Garcia   Guitar,Vocals,Lead Vocals

Technical Credits

David DeVore   Engineer
Keith Olsen   Engineer,Producer
Tom Flye   Mixing Engineer
William "Mickey" Stevenson   Composer
Keith Godchaux   Arranger,Producer
Ivory Joe Hunter   Composer
James Austin   Producer
Robin Hurley   Associate Producer
Robert Hunter   Composer
Allen Reynolds   Composer
Phil Lesh   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Mickey Hart   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Tom Scott   Performer
Donna Jean Godchaux   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Grateful Dead   Composer
Jimmy Edwards   Associate Producer
John Perry Barlow   Composer
Peter Monk   Composer
Hale Milfgrim   Associate Producer
Cameron Sears   Producer
Rick Collins   Mastering,Mastering Engineer
Robert Gatley   Mixing Engineer
Scott Pascucci   Associate Producer
William Kreutzmann   Composer
Paul Buckmaster   Orchestration,Orchestral Arrangements
Traditional   Composer
Bill Kreutzmann   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Bob McDill   Composer
Bob Weir   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Ivy Jo Hunter   Composer
David Lemieux   Producer
Joe Gastwirt   Producer,Remastering Engineer
Greg Fulginiti   Mastering Engineer
Marvin Gaye   Composer
Jerry Garcia   Arranger,Composer,Producer