I Ranked All The GRATEFUL DEAD Albums 

you look like exactly the kind of guy who would rate all the grateful dead albums

I never comment…..but no human has slowly grown on me like you. Your appreciation of the Dead and knowledge of guitar, just keeps me viewing. Love what you do and you’ll never work a day has never been more true. Thanks

Fam! There are a few title cards that had rendering errors, so they’re either incorrect or incomplete. Nothing I can do about it now, but I’m sorry there are a few mistakes. I’m honestly pretty upset about it since this took me so long to edit and put together. But, yeah. Love y’all.

Ha! EU 72 is my #1 I get your point about better live versions but compared to any live album or studio album, it's the best IMO

Like many of us I had a traumatic upbringing. 14-17 were particularly rough. I found psychedelics soon after graduating high school. Then not long after psilocybin, and lsd I was introduced to the Grateful Dead. Their music to me symbolizes my healing, and the release that I've felt through letting go of my pain, and suffering. Their music is Love to me. It holds the feelings of freedom, and the liberating beauty of Loving, accepting, and being yourself. I Love you, you heady pranksters. NFA (~)};)

What a pleasure! I grew up listening to the albums long before my first show. Call me crazy but I think the albums are just fine for the circumstances and the times. Really apppreciate your humor, warmth and persppective. Keep it weird y'all!

The live cut of Tennessee Jed on Europe “ 72 is easily Jerry’s best solo with this song. Never heard him smoke like he did on any other version …..that I’ve heard. PS “Jellyroll” was dick to Hot Tuna

Europe 72 has the best morning dew in many peoples opinions, possibly ever. It's special.

I wonder what the album would have been called with So Many Roads, Days Between, Lazy River Road.

Great course Davvy, super helpful and has helped me play better! Thanks for rating the Dead albums bro!

Hey man. Thanks for doing this. I can appreciate your list even if it’s not even close to mine but we do have wake of the flood at number one so we have that in common!! Keep up the great work

My first Dead album was Shakedown Street in 1981. For some reason prior to that purchase, I thought the Grateful Dead was a metal band or something ! Yup. I know. Anyway, thanks Davvy for taking the time to come up with these rankings and to anyone still reading this - The Golden Road Guitar Course is incredibly helpful. It's obvious that Davvy has put a ton of work into it and I have really learned a lot.

👍👍. Awesome Davvy, personal insightfull, appreciate your take and we have lots of agreement. Thanks for the shout out at 30:41🔥❤️🤘

im still discovering the deads music, ive been listening to them for about 2 years, but i can say definitively that American Beauty will always be my favorite. it’s what got me into not only the dead, but country and bluegrass music in general. before that album i had no idea what outlaw country was, i thought all country was just that poppy shit you hear on the radio, and american beauty changed that for me and made me the guitar player i am today. i would not look at music the same way if it werent for that album. cheers davvy!

The order of albums is like just your opinion man. It honestly is a personal preference as to order. I just appreciate your thoughts on each of the albums. The studio works gets knocked so much, but I enjoy listening to the roots of a song and then comparing them to the evolution of the music.

1. Aoxomoxoa 2. Anthem of the Sun 4. Mars Hotel 5. Working man's dead 6. Debut (grateful dead) 7. American Beauty 8. Wake of the flood 9. Blues for allah 10. Shakedown street 11. Terrapin station 12. Go to heaven 13. In the dark 14. Built to last I really like the older stuff. I've never really been a fan of the 80s stuff, and there is really only a handful of songs from that era that I can really get into (I will say the songs i do like from this era, i really like them). There's just something about their sound from the 60s and 70s that especially resonates with me. And their work in the 60s is espcailly underrated. They were definitely at their peak in 74, in my opinion. The Keith years are easily the best. Never really much liked Brent.

Davvy delivering the heart & humor to this catalogue. Fun video!

Dude your commentery cracks me up and I want to thank you for that. 16:53 got me so tickled 😂 Also, I love your The Gunslinger reference. The Dark Tower is my favorite series ever.

Great channel, don't understand how you don't have more subscribers.

no way!! friend of the devil is what got me too! i loved the weaving of guitars and of course phils bassline. sounded like an upright bass! i dont know who plays drums on it, i havent looked it up, but the simple snare heavy beat fit so well and its such an important piece of the song!

The first album I heard was Reckoning and the first song that really grabbed me was Cassidy. I was 14 when I got that cassette tape and was lucky to see Jerry Garcia band once and The Grateful Dead twice before Jerry passed.

Bold strategy, Cotton! 😂 While I don't have the same rankings, I respect yours, and this is exactly why I love GD--there are no right or wrong answers. It's whatever era you prefer, or when you went to your first show, or what you like to play most. One man's trash is another man's Truckin'. Keep up the great work and thanks for all you do, Davvy!

Loved your ranking of the albums, the insight, and reasons why. "Perfect" I started my "Dead Journey" in the 70s and love your summary of their album themes, especially their 1st three albums that take you on a journey of past, present and psychedelia.

26:00 OMG GET THIS, my lightbulb moment with the dead was also hearing Phil’s bass intro too friend of the devil while I was high on acid. I’ll never forget hearing that baseline and the feeling it created inside of me, total satisfaction 🤯🤯🤯

Insightful and friggin funny....entertaining. Thanks for layin it out.

Your bottom two were in my top 5 and that is hilarious. Good points. Word up to Mars Hotel and Money Money!

American Beauty is my number 1. I got the rose on my back. #1 song for me is between brokedown and stranger... row Jimmy wharf rat...

Europe '72 LAST?! First time watching. IDK man. Terrible start. And I'm from Chattanooga and I love hearing Jed in TN! It reminds me of coming home. It's funny, for the most part.

You are literally insane. (So am I…) Love this!

Europe 72 is my favorite by them so it was funny that it’s your least favorite lol!

Also two thumbs up for the Golden Road course. I haven't been able to deep dive yet because I'm distracted building an amp but the material in there hasn't been in any of the study books I've had over the years. Any the instructor is way more entertaining than the ones you pay for at your local guitar shop.

They have albums?

Sufficient amount of chef kisses. Great video. With you leaning Jerry Head (based), I would love to see Bob's work ranked by you. Thanks Davvy you're the man

I know exactly what you mean by Hunters, Canterbury Tales., vibe. You really know this material.

Ha! Was spinning Wake of The Flood in my living room and then this video popped up so I gave it a try. Killer video my dude!!

Davvy, I gotta say, I'm actually surprised that "Wake the Flood" is your #1 overall pick. Here's why, because It's mine as well. I'm a new fan, I've only been listening to the Dead and have familiarized myself with their music in the last couple of months. I haven't even listened to all their albums yet. But it makes me proud to know our #1 alike. Makes me feel like I'm on to something. My favorite all-time band is Blackberry Smoke, and they performed "Mississippi.." with Bob Wier a couple years ago, also they did a cover with Billy Strings. I've listened to that a gazillion times and I just do not get tired of it. Like you said, just put it on and let her go. Good stuff man. I was biting my nails and white knuckling hoping that your weren't gonna drop "Wake the Flood" in the bottom 10. That's dang beautiful. From one Tennesseean to another, keep up the good content.

What anybody likes is what they like and is valid. I seriously think most Dead fans would not agree with your evaluation of Europe '72. The great thing about The Dead was they were so fucking eclectic in the genres they were willing to delve into. When people ask what kind of music did The Grateful Dead play, I think, most anything. Even the most played songs were never quite the same.

On the day that i was born my daddy sat down and cried, I had the mark could not be denied, they say that Cain caught Able playing with loaded dice, Ace of spades behind his ears and him not thinking twice

1. Workingman's Dead Live/Dead (tie, I couldn't decide between the two) 2. Wake of the Flood 3. Blues for Allah 4. From the Mars Hotel 5. Grateful Dead 6. Anthem of the Sun 7. Reckoning 8. Shakedown Street 9. Europe '72 10. Terrapin Station Also Schoolgril isn't pedophilic, a "schoolgirl" in blues music/culture means a girl in college.😮

Dude, I found the Dead on a road trip headed to Utah to camp and ride mountain bikes back in the 80's. We got tired of all the tapes we had with us and decided to pick up something we thought would piss off the others. I snagged Skeltons from the Closet and two days later we had taken our boom box hiking near our camp site and found a wind cave to hang out in. FOTD came on and I was like, "yep, this is for me" That's what makes the list great, it is YOUR interpretation and how you feel the music. Still hate you though. Kidding

Hey Davey, this was really fun. Great job. Why didn't Bears Choice make the list?

Fire ass takes as always Brother Davvy

I remember hearing hell in a bucket on the radio of all things lol.before I started listening to them.was thinking damn,I like this song.theres something really different about this

Davvy, love your opinions. Totally agree with #17. 8-27-72 vanetta frickin IS the grateful Dead in 72 and any other year . Cannot wait for you opinion on ranking favorite shows!!!! Where is 4-24-78 on your list ...Bobby going nuts on scarlet fire ...absolutely best werwolves ever

1. Wake of the Flood is my favorite as well 🙌 2. Rubin and Cherise & Wharf Rat are two of my favs 3. How doesn’t Rosalee get a mention on Reckoning?

Dude you're Tennessee Jed rant is priceless love it

50:1 says Davvy got spun and listened to wotf at like 18 and it crystalized its spot that night

I think this is spot on. I like the top happy / sad song list idea!

Just recently started to get really into the Dead myself.. I think I was put off for a long time by what I assumed to be the cliché hippy pose of the community. Just wasn't my thing. However, that was my mistake and total ignorance. I've always really loved raw, improvised rock music. I've purchased about 7 of their records over the past two and a half months and they've been on my turntable basically everyday. Anyways, great timing on this release. Seen a couple of your videos and I'm enjoying your takes on the culture as well as the tunes themselves. Thanks for the hard work.

My first album, that a friend lent to me, was skeletons from the closet , first time I heard Pigpen I was hooked! I would blast out the album when I got home from school, then my neighbor blasted black sabbath, we rocked that neighborhood! my neighbor and I would talk later at night about music and all he would say was "Ozzy's great" I would agree and that was the extent of his commentary😜

Damn straight. Fisher Price Piano.

I agree with your #1…however your mixing live shows with studio cuts and it fucks with my brain. I listen almost 100% to live shows….cannot wait to hear your top 20 shows. Oh the hate you will feel if Cornell isn’t #1….won’t bother me though cause it isn’t too show…it’s to polished. ✌

The video we didn’t need, but the one we most definitely wanted. And finally someone else who likes Picasso Moon!

I really like your choices /ranking my top pick is wake of the flood also. the album version of eyes of the squirl is my favorite. I always wished that the intro would have been done live!

1. Clear effort put into editing 2. Inviting, funny, and engaging 3. Peaks your interest into these songs and albums even if you've never gotten deep into them Killed it davvy, maybe ill actually listen to/watch some dead after this

I love you unconditionally Davvy. You make me smile a whole lot ! 💛 I wanted to suggest a list for you. How about the top ten "The best feel good songs I ever friggin' felt " 😂❤🎉Cape Cod Griff

This hit me a day after watching...you included Reckoning but not Dead Set?

'72 at the bottom?! You crazy

In light of you putting ST so high, do you like the guitar playing of Jon Cippolina or Barry Melton? Specifically on “Happy Trails” or “Electric Music For Mind and Body”? I feel like early on Jerry and those 2 borrowed heavily from each other ie squiggle vibrato (which I love).

I was gonna say, there is a To Lay Me Down on Reckoning. Sweet. Fucking Jerry.

Loved watching this. Definitely some I would have places differently, but a lot of good takes. No Dead Set or Without a Net? Those are actually high on my list because they were part of my early listening.

Anthem of the Sun was my first Dead record (though not the first Dead I heard) way back in the old days of the early 2000's. Still love smokin me a joint and listening to that one through.

I would love to see you breakdown Picasso moon

You nailed #1. Strong work!

I tried to do my list but, I’m not high enough to do it. I haven’t watched it yet but, I would guess you rank a lot of older albums better, perhaps because I do.

My Dude, this is internet GOLD. Way to hit it son.

You matter dude! I’ve given up on tv and I just watch your shit or play guitar

I always thought Go To Heaven was a good album even though most other heads dismiss it and it gets bad reviews. Other than lazily throwing on Don’t Ease at the end it’s loaded with good songs.

Finally someone mentioned how good Picasso moon is

I have always said that the Hunter Garcia songs sounded like they were the soundtrack for the Dark Tower series by Stephen King. So cool to hear someone else say the same thing!

Saw the dead a few times between 1989. - 1993 . Bought best of in 1986 as a 14y.o. but I am not a dead head. New Speedway boogie is my favorite all time Dead song, so you're correct about not being a true Dead Head

wake of the flood has got to be one of the most mellow albums i’ve ever heard, stella blue, row jimmy row and eyes of the world are all so relaxing, not that they aren’t affecting tho

I liked the way you talked us through everything, especially when you said, 'loosen your buttholes;' it was very therapeutic.

From the mars hotel was my introduction to them

When Whats Become of the Baby completely melts your brain and then Cosmic Charlie comes in to blast you back in to reality that is pure bliss… to each their own 🫡

Awesome vid Davvy

24:40 I saw Keller Williams do this thing where he plays Cumberland with the rhythm and main riff of TLEO. It's pretty fun and makes the song a little less frantic to play, instead of trying to copy that bluegrass mandolin type comping on the record.

Love it Davvy!

Cool list! Didn’t make me too mad :)

I have never gotten mad at a RU-vidr for their opinion in the history of me being on RU-vid. Having said that, Europe ‘72 dead last? You’re testing my patience Davvy! I tried to edit this comment to include my own list and I can’t do it. The first 8 and the last 9 would both be basically interchangeable.

Brent’s keyboard tone I’ve found when comparing with Fischer Price kiddy keys lol, the issue as I’ve come to experience it is often this comes 😮from a soundboard tape without any treatment (absolutely no reverb/ delay, dry as hell) and yea that’s fair criticism - I haven’t seen too many Dead official releases that have the issue but a few Dicks picks do lol.

We need a hip hop cover band of the Dead named Hennessey Jed

❤Love your stuff man !!!

Felt seen when u said you don't dig Sugar Mags, but love Sunshine Daydream! HA!

LOVE that you rate and review all the albums this was awesome. I agree with a lot of your reviews. BUT HOW CAN YOU RATE BLUES FOR ALLAH SO HIGH??? BFA is def number 17. Haha thx for doing this!!!!

Awesome list! Very original opinions youv'e got. Cant say i agree with all of them haha but thats the beauty of it.

Love this!

Brokedown Palace harmonies got me into the Dead. Will always love AB and Attics of My Life. But prime Dead is 72 - 77

Brokedown + Ship Of Fools are 2 of the most under rated songs imo. we also have the same number one LP choice. i like how you roll, son...

His takes.. WACK The way he’s a contrarian just for the hell of it… WACK The fact that he’s the best Not Jerry and produces the best Dead content on the internet… TIGHT AS FUCK

All the talk of hard dicks and balls in this video, I'm surprised you didn't talk more about the Aoxomoxoa cover art. The penis skull, the sperm sun... Great video. I would put American Beauty and Working Man's dead up much higher, but I have a big soft spot for those albums. I had never heard any Grateful Dead music, but I met someone who loved them. About a year later (1984?) I bought a cassette with both albums on it, and I was blown away. Absolutely agree with Wake of the Flood at #1.

"beyond the reach of human range a drop of hell, a touch of strange" - the dark tower series 🌹🔥🌹

1. Anthem 2. Blues for Allah 3. Live Dead 4. American Beauty 5. Workingman's Dead 6. Reckoning 7. 1st Album 8. Europe 72 9. Aoxomoxoa 10. In the Dark 11. Go To Heaven 12. Wake 13. Skull 14. Mars 15. Terrapin 16. Built To Last 17 Shakedown

Terrapin is my number one. But I’m an old man with way too many drugs under my belt, so what do I know? You’re a brave man for even attempting to rank these albums. To me, so much of this music depends on the memories attached. Love Standing on the Moon. Was so disappointed at Boulder when Dave Matthews came out and did it. Had been anticipating it for all three nights. Thought they totally screwed the pooch on that one.

I wonder if the cover of the first album was inspired by the cover of Sgt Pepper

Except that I actually saw the Grateful Dead play Tennessee Jed in Memphis in 95. How could they NOT play it there? Who cares that it's about coming back to Tennessee? They also played Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again, Take Me to the River, and Big River. Were they not supposed to play those songs because they were already there? Oh no, they played One More Saturday Night on Saturday nights! I went to college in Tennessee, and every Deadhead I ever met loved that song. I named my dog Tennessee Jed. They always played Truckin' in the towns named in that song. Promised Land in Atlanta, and any other songs that mention the town or state they were playing in. It's a huge crowd pleaser. I .was actually enjoying a few of your reactions, until this one. Ranking Europe '72 as their worst album has me seriously doubting your credentials to even perform a ranking

I agree about Golden Road. Bizzare prediction. 1st song on debut album.

After 47 years of never understanding why I disliked the Dead, but here I am. I'm taking the dive on grabbing the entire discography. So far I picked up Into the Dark and Working Man's Dead. Both a really good. Just picked up American Beauty. Not to take the dive and jam it for a while and then move on to whichever next GD cd I find.

Man we should definitely jam sometime

Fun video. I confess I rarely listen to the studio albums, but you might have inspired me to revisit them. I'd put Blues for Allah as best artwork (also, you have spots 2-4 each identified as Blues for Allah in your list, heh). I'd love to see a favorite show list, or favorite live versions of one song. Your guitar course is great and I recommend more folks buy it!