Anthem of the Sun was released in 1968. It was the first album to feature their second drummer, Mickey Hart. The album was a hybrid of both a studio and a live album.
Members:
Jerry Garcia: lead guitar, acoustic guitar, kazoo, vibraslap, vocals, co-lead vocals on “That’s It for the Other One” and “Born Cross-Eyed”
Bob Weir: rhythm guitar, 12-string guitar, acoustic guitar, kazoo, vocals, lead vocals on “New Potato Caboose”, co-lead vocals on “That’s It for the Other One” and “Born Cross-Eyed”
Phil Lesh: bass guitar, trumpet, harpsichord, kazoo, piano,timpani, vocals
Ron “PigPen” McKennan: organs, celesta, claves, vocals, lead vocals on “Alligator” and “Caution”
Bill Kreutzmann: drums, glockenspiel, gong, chimes, crotales, prepared piano, finger cymbals
Mickey Hart: drums, orchestra bells, gong, chimes, crotales, piano, finger cymbals
The Tracks:
- “That’s It For the Other One”: This is a 4-part suite: “Cryptical Envelopment”, “Quadlibet for Tender Feet”, “The Rounder We Get”, and “We Leave the Castle”. This is one of their most played songs. This was a great opener.
- ” New Potato Caboose “: Pigpen sounds excellent on the keyboard here.
- ” Born Cross-Eyed”: This song was written entirely by Bob Weir. It was released as a B-side to “Dark Star”. I really liked this one.
- ” Alligator” : This song is just crazy! PigPen sounds nuts on the keys. The rest of the band brings their A-game too.
- “Caution (Do Not Step on the Tracks) “: This was a fun way to close the album.
Final Verdict: I never thought I’d hear kazoos in a rock album. This album definitely sounds like the band is coming together.
Grade: A-
Aspie Catholic 