Grateful Dead – Wake of the Flood (1973)
Album Review
Released in October 1973, Wake of the Flood represents a pivotal moment in the Grateful Dead’s career. It was the first album the band released on their own label, Grateful Dead Records, giving them full creative control after their time with Warner Bros. The record showcases a shift toward more polished songwriting while retaining the band’s signature improvisational spirit. It blends elements of rock, folk, jazz, and country, reflecting the Dead’s ever-expanding musical palette.
Musically, the album combines intricate studio arrangements with lyrical depth, creating a reflective yet adventurous listening experience. Jerry Garcia’s guitar work is expressive and melodic, while Bob Weir’s rhythm guitar provides structure. Phil Lesh’s bass lines are intricate, harmonically sophisticated, and often carry melodic weight, while Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart’s drumming alternates between understated grooves and explosive bursts. Vocals, including those of Keith and Donna Godchaux, add warmth and harmony, enhancing the emotional resonance of the songs.
Standout tracks include “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo,” which balances playful storytelling with elegant musicianship, and “Eyes of the World,” a fan-favorite that became a live jam staple. “Weather Report Suite” demonstrates the band’s compositional ambition, blending multi-part arrangements with lyrical sophistication. Lyrically, Robert Hunter explores themes of reflection, human experience, and the interplay of joy and loss, creating songs that feel timeless.
Wake of the Flood is a cohesive and mature work, reflecting a band confident in both their technical abilities and artistic vision. It may lack the immediate psychedelia of Aoxomoxoa, but it compensates with subtlety, sophistication, and long-lasting musical impact.
Tracklist
Side One
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Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo
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Let Me Sing Your Blues Away
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Row Jimmy
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Stagger Lee
Side Two
5. Eyes of the World
6. Weather Report Suite: Prelude / Part I / Part II (Let It Grow)
7. Let Me Sing Your Blues Away (Reprise)
Note: Some vinyl editions vary slightly in track placement.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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This was the first Grateful Dead album released on their own label, giving them full creative freedom.
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“Eyes of the World” quickly became a staple of live performances and a fan favorite for its improvisational potential.
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The album was recorded at Wally Heider Studios in San Francisco, a hub for the West Coast rock scene.
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Keith Godchaux contributed heavily on keyboards, bringing jazz-influenced harmonies and melodic textures.
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The album reflects the Dead’s growing interest in more structured, song-oriented compositions while retaining room for improvisation.
Did You Know?
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Did you know the album was named after a line from a Robert Hunter poem about cycles and renewal?
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Did you know “Weather Report Suite” took months of rehearsal to perfect for both studio recording and live performance?
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Did you know Wake of the Flood was critically acclaimed for its balance of lyricism and instrumental sophistication?
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Did you know it was the last Grateful Dead album to feature Pigpen’s occasional keyboard contributions before his declining health?
Album Grossing and Commercial Performance
Wake of the Flood reached No. 30 on the Billboard 200, marking a solid performance for a self-released album. Although initial sales were modest, the record eventually achieved Gold certification in the United States, representing over 500,000 copies sold. Its long-term influence and steady catalog sales have made it one of the band’s most respected and enduring works.
Legacy
Wake of the Flood captures the Grateful Dead in a period of artistic independence and musical refinement. It bridges the more folk-rock-oriented Workingman’s Dead/American Beauty era with the expansive improvisational possibilities explored in live albums like Europe ’72. Its intricate arrangements, lyrical depth, and enduring live tracks make it a crucial chapter in the Grateful Dead’s discography and a lasting favorite among Deadheads.
