Classic Albums: Grateful Dead - Anthem to Beauty |  | Director: Jeremy Marre
Actor: The Grateful Dead
Studio: Eagle Rock Entertainment
Category: DVD
List Price: $11.98
Buy Used: $6.00
as of 7/30/2010 11:02 EDT details
You Save: $5.98 (50%)
New (20) Used (5) from $5.36
Rating:  17 reviews
Sales Rank: 44,222
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
Languages: English (Unknown), English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Running Time: 75 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6
UPC: 801213009992
EAN: 0801213009992
Release Date: February 22, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
This installment of the Classic Albums series follows the making of two Grateful Dead albums, the fiercely experimental Anthem of the Sun and the understated masterwork American Beauty, which spawned melodic gems like "Sugar Magnolia" and "Ripple." Between the archival scenes and contemporary interviews with band members, the DVD shows a band making seismic inroads in pop music--and five young guys coming to terms with artistry, mortality, and, yes, the pursuit of happiness. There is priceless footage of Neal Cassady driving Ken Kesey's bus and of the Dead, surrounded by martini-sipping hipsters, on Playboy After Dark. The best scenes involve band members talking about specific songs (you will never hear Phil Lesh's "Box of Rain" again without thinking of it as a gift to his dying father) or deconstructing a tune by playing each track separately. Intimate and surprisingly cohesive, Anthem to Beauty is a rare glimpse into how the Dead's magic was made. --Anne Hurley
Description
This program looks at the span of the Grateful Dead's music from 1968's "ANTHEM OF THE SUN", which was a hybrid of a live and studio album, and the 1970 country-styled album "AMERICAN BEAUTY". The story is told through new and vintage interviews with band members Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Jerry Garcia, and Mickey Hart, guest musicians, and lyricist Robert Hunter, along with home movies from the Grateful Dead's own archive. Features many classic Dead tunes including: "Truckin'", Mountains Of The Moon", "Sugar Magnolia", and "Box Of Rain".
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 17
 Terrific overview of Early Dead December 21, 1998
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
This tape combines archival stills and film footage of the early years of the Dead (1967-1971) and great video soundbites from most of the members of the Dead, as well as Dennis McNally. Best scene is with Phil Lesh sitting at the console with the original 16-track tapes of "Anthem of the Sun" and "American Beauty" playing individual tracks, and commenting on the experiences during the recordings. Deadhead GOLD!
From an old Dead Fan January 28, 2005
Richard Federici (North Carolina)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
I laughed out loud quite a few times while watching this superb DVD; nearly cried once or twice. The music, of course, is excellent, and my foot was tapping throughout. Great footage & storytelling of the Grateful Dead's earlier years.
I was pleasantly surpised by this disc!
The Best Documentary on the Dead (so far) July 20, 2001
gratefulshrink (NY USA)
13 out of 15 found this review helpful
I think I originally saw this when it aired on PBS. I may have missed the beginning, but it was so good, that I had to track down my own copy. What makes this documentary so good is that it really gives you an insider's look at what went into making these early albums. It also has some moving personal moments, such as when Phil Lesh desribes his father's illness in relation to the song, "Box of Rain". This is a must-have for any fans of early Dead.
Great DVD for any Dead fan! December 23, 2005
M. Blank (Lancaster, PA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I was spellbound by this when I got it. Great archvial footage, interviews with the band, and just a great look at their transformation from Anthem of the Sun to American Beauty (hence the title). Includes live footage, studio footage, and them talking about track layers, and how a lot of the songs came together (including Robert Hunter talking about his inspiration with a lot of classic songs). I especially loved when Robert Hunter talked about going to London for the first time and the songs that came from his first few hours there (hint: Ripple is one of them!) Pick this up, light up and kick back. Heartwarming.
Incredible look back at an incredible era for the Dead January 14, 2005
Brian Hedden (Concord, NC)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I've had this one for a while but felt compelled to give a bit of a review. Like what has been said before, there's very little by way of performance footage (although there are bits). What we're mainly given here is a fond and loving look back at a classic era by the creators who shaped it. Along the way we get the Classic Albums trademark of isolating instruments from the multi-track to showcase a vocal, a guitar part, harmonies, etc.. Some of the reactions are priceless (the expression on Bob Weir's face when his vocal for "Sugar Magnolia" becomes isolated is priceless, also his recounting of an incident with Dave Hassinger and looking for the sound of "thick air" for "Born Crosseyed"). Phil Lesh remembering how young Jerry Garcia sounded during "Ripple". Robert Hunter's recollections of being in Europe while writing material for American Beauty are particularly moving. Then you have the Warner Brothers record exec who recounted a memo sent about how unruly the band was in the studio, particularly Phil. This is also a great look into the band itself at that time.
It might be worth a viewing or two for casual fans or just fans of these types of documentaries in general. For music fans, for those interested in the process of making an album, or Deadheads in general, to me this is essential viewing and worthy of repeated viewings. Had to give it five stars. Bravo!!!!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 17
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