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Album Details

• Artist: The Grateful Dead
• Album: Reckoning
• Label: Arista
• Year of Release: 1990
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: gwhill on 2013-01-14

The Grateful Dead were always at least three different bands stylistically. There was "the rock band", "the folk band with country leanings" and "the psychedelic space rock band". Although there are a few moments of space there, this album captures a live show by the folk band side of The Grateful Dead. It is certainly a fine album in that genre, and quite a nice listening experience. On this album, The Grateful Dead were Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, Donna Godchaux, Keith Godchaux, Bill Kreutzman, Phil Lesh and Brent Mydland.

The opening, “Dire Wolf” starts the set in a very laid back, easy going style. “Blood Roses” continues with a  harpsichord based structure and some rather gritty lyrics. It also has some unusual vocal work at times. “The Race Is On” brings some twangy blues to the table in a fast paced jam that’s still very folk oriented. With “It Must Have Been the Roses” they bring some different directions and musical concepts to the table. Pretty and moody, it is a slow-paced folk rock number. The chorus here is quite strong and the piano at times weaves a wonderfully beautiful path around the melody.

“Dark Hollow” has more of that bluesy folk rock on tap. “China Doll” is definitely a standout cut.  Beautiful textures and moods dominate the slow, sedate rock piece. “Been All Around This World” is another folky rocker with countryish leanings. A train song, “Monkey and The Engineer” is another strong and fun folk tune. Fast tempoed and quite entertaining, “Jack-A-Roe” is a bit in the mode of Arlo Guthrie`s "City of New Orleans.” Those general modes sort of make up the range of the set. There are a few more Dead classics represented including “Cassidy” and “Ripple.” “Bird Song” is the most spacey number here.  Every Dead show is different. Every live Grateful Dead album is different, too. This one is a great example of the folkier side of the group.

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