Grateful Dead – History of the Grateful Dead, Volume One (Bear’s Choice) (1973)
Album Review
Released in July 1973, History of the Grateful Dead, Volume One (Bear’s Choice) is a unique live compilation that offers a retrospective look at the band’s early years. Curated by Owsley “Bear” Stanley, the Grateful Dead’s longtime sound engineer and LSD chemist, the album highlights the band’s blues and folk roots while capturing the raw energy of their live performances. Unlike the meticulously produced live albums that would follow, this record emphasizes authenticity and spontaneity, showcasing the Grateful Dead in their natural habitat: the stage.
The album primarily features recordings from concerts in 1970 at the Fillmore East and Winterland Ballroom, a period when the band was transitioning from their heavily psychedelic phase to more Americana- and folk-influenced material. Songs are performed with a directness and intimacy that contrast with the experimental studio work of Aoxomoxoa or the sprawling improvisations of Live/Dead.
Standout tracks include the heartfelt rendition of “Black Peter,” the bluesy “Smokestack Lightning,” and the traditional favorite “Katie Mae,” which demonstrates the band’s ability to breathe new life into classic songs. Bear’s Choice is less about extended jams and more about capturing the essence of the Dead’s live sound in the early 1970s: tight, dynamic, and deeply expressive.
While not as ambitious as Europe ’72 or as commercially polished as Workingman’s Dead, this album remains an essential snapshot of the Grateful Dead’s evolution, highlighting their connection to American roots music and their commitment to live performance as a medium of artistic expression.
Tracklist
Side One
-
Uncle John’s Band
-
Smokestack Lightning
-
Katie Mae
Side Two
4. Black Peter
5. Hard to Handle
6. Smokestack Lightning (Reprise)
Note: Some editions include additional tracks depending on reissues and remastering.
Fun Facts & Trivia
-
The album was curated by Owsley “Bear” Stanley, whose nickname “Bear” is why the album carries the subtitle Bear’s Choice.
-
The recordings focus on the band’s blues and folk repertoire, emphasizing their roots rather than psychedelic experiments.
-
“Black Peter” would go on to become one of the Dead’s most enduring live ballads.
-
Unlike other live albums, Bear’s Choice captures the raw, unpolished energy of early 1970s performances.
-
The album artwork features a simple, understated design, reflecting the informal nature of the release.
Did You Know?
-
Did you know Owsley “Bear” Stanley personally selected the tracks for this compilation from various live recordings?
-
Did you know the album was originally intended to honor the memory of band member Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, who died shortly after its release?
-
Did you know the album includes some of the earliest professionally recorded live performances of “Uncle John’s Band”?
-
Did you know Bear’s Choice was later reissued on CD with remastered sound, improving clarity while retaining its original live feel?
Album Grossing and Commercial Performance
History of the Grateful Dead, Volume One (Bear’s Choice) peaked at No. 28 on the Billboard 200, reflecting moderate commercial success for a niche live compilation. While exact sales numbers are limited, it achieved Gold certification over time, selling more than 500,000 copies. Its long-term profitability has been enhanced by continuous reissues and its significance as a historical snapshot of the band’s early live performances.
Legacy
Bear’s Choice stands as a testament to the Grateful Dead’s live artistry and dedication to roots music. It captures a transitional moment in the band’s career, bridging the psychedelic experimentation of the late 1960s with the Americana-inspired songwriting of the early 1970s. Today, the album is celebrated for its authenticity, historical significance, and the way it preserves the Dead’s live energy for future generations.
