Grateful Dead - Europe '72 (1972)

Tracklist front / back album covers

Side one

1. "Cumberland Blues"   5:47

2. "He's Gone"   7:12

3. "One More Saturday Night"   4:45

Total length: 17:29

Side two

1. "Jack Straw"   4:46

2. "You Win Again"   3:54

3. "China Cat Sunflower"   5:33

4. "I Know You Rider"   4:55

Total length: 19:25

Side three

1. "Brown-Eyed Women" 4:55

2. "Hurts Me Too"    7:18

3. "Ramble On Rose"   6:09

Total length: 18:02

Side four

1. "Sugar Magnolia"   7:04

2. "Mr. Charlie"   3:40

3. "Tennessee Jed"   7:13

Total length: 18:07

Side five

1. "Truckin'"   13:08

2. "Epilogue"    4:33

Total length: 18:16

Side six

1. "Prelude"    8:08

2. "Morning Dew"   10:35

Total length: 19:18

Europe '72 is a live triple album by the Grateful Dead, released in November 1972. It covers the band's tour of Western Europe in April and May that year, and showcases live favourites, extended improvisations and several new songs including "Jack Straw" and "Brown Eyed Women". The album was the first to include pianist Keith Godchaux and his wife, Donna Jean Godchaux, and the last to feature founding member Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, who died shortly after its release.

The European tour was expensive and logistically complicated, and the band's record company hoped that a live album would recoup its costs. Consequently, the entire tour was recorded, with highlights making it onto the final release. Europe '72 is one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed albums by the Dead. It was one of the first triple-record rock albums to be certified gold by RIAA; the album has since been certified double platinum. A second volume was released in 2011, in conjunction with the release of the entire 22-date tour as Europe '72: The Complete Recordings.

Grateful Dead – Europe ’72 (1972)

Album Review

Released in November 1972, Europe ’72 is one of the Grateful Dead’s most celebrated live albums, capturing the band at the peak of their early 1970s touring era. Unlike earlier live releases, this triple LP presents an expansive, carefully curated collection of performances recorded during the Grateful Dead’s 22-concert European tour in the spring of 1972. The album balances improvisational depth with polished execution, offering both longtime Deadheads and newcomers a definitive portrait of the band’s live prowess.

Musically, Europe ’72 blends rock, blues, country, and jazz influences, reflecting the band’s mastery of multiple genres. Extended jams showcase Jerry Garcia’s expressive guitar work, Phil Lesh’s melodic bass lines, and the dual-drum interplay of Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart. Songs like “China Cat Sunflower” > “I Know You Rider” highlight the band’s seamless transitions between complex arrangements, while “Morning Dew” delivers one of the most emotionally potent renditions in the Grateful Dead catalog.

In addition to musical excellence, the album benefits from the presence of new band member Keith Godchaux on keyboards and Donna Jean Godchaux on backing vocals. Their contributions added warmth, harmonic depth, and a sense of freshness to the live performances, complementing the established core of Garcia, Weir, Lesh, and Kreutzmann.

Europe ’72 is more than a live album; it is a chronicle of the Grateful Dead at a time when they were both touring extensively and experimenting with new sounds. The album remains highly influential for its combination of precision, improvisation, and adventurous spirit.

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Tracklist

Disc One

1. Cumberland Blues

2. Alabama Getaway

3. Mr. Charlie

4. Chinatown Shuffle

5. Beat It On Down the Line

6. Loser

7. Black-Throated Wind

8. China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider

Disc Two
9. Jack Straw
10. Big Railroad Blues
11. Brown-Eyed Women
12. Me and My Uncle
13. Sugar Magnolia
14. Uncle John’s Band
15. It Hurts Me Too
16. Riding On The Railroad

Disc Three
17. Morning Dew
18. Not Fade Away
19. Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad
20. One More Saturday Night
21. Playing in the Band

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Fun Facts & Trivia

• The album was recorded using mobile recording equipment, a cutting-edge approach at the time.

• Europe ’72 was intended to finance the band’s touring and living expenses while on the European tour.

• Several songs on the album, including “Jack Straw” and “Brown-Eyed Women,” were new compositions debuted on this tour.

• The > symbol in “China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider” indicates a seamless live segue, a hallmark of the band’s performance style.

• Many Deadheads consider Europe ’72 the ultimate “gateway live album” due to its combination of energy, precision, and variety.

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Did You Know?

• Did you know the tour produced over 22 concerts but the album selects highlights rather than full shows?

• Did you know this album is the first to feature Keith and Donna Godchaux as official members?

• Did you know “Morning Dew” on this album is one of the most celebrated live versions ever recorded?

• Did you know Europe ’72 was one of the first triple LP live rock albums to achieve critical acclaim and commercial success?

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Album Grossing and Commercial Performance

Europe ’72 reached No. 24 on the Billboard 200 and became the band’s first Gold-certified live album, eventually selling over 500,000 copies in the United States alone. Its long-term sales have been boosted by reissues, remasters, and its status as a quintessential live recording, making it one of the Grateful Dead’s most profitable and enduring albums.

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Legacy

Europe ’72 is often cited as the definitive Grateful Dead live album. It captures the band at a creative peak, balancing improvisational freedom with disciplined execution. The album influenced countless jam bands and live recording practices, and remains a touchstone for understanding the Grateful Dead’s legacy as live performers. More than 50 years later, it is celebrated not just for its music, but for its historical significance, marking the band’s ascent to international acclaim.