Terrapin Station was the first Grateful Dead album released on Arista Records, after a two-year hiatus. It reached #28 on the Album Charts, and received Gold in 1987. Clive Davis had been interested in signing them after having acquired their colleagues, the New Riders of the Purple Sage.
Members:
Jerry Garcia: guitar, vocals
Bob Weir: guitar, vocals
Phil Lesh: bass
Keith Godchaux: keyboards, piano, synthesizers, vocals
Mickey Hart: drums
Bill Kreutzmann: drums
Donna Jean Godchaux: vocals
Additional Musicians:
Paul Buckmaster: orchestral arrangements
The English Choral
The Martyn Ford Orchestra
Tom Scott: lyricon, saxophone on “Estimated Prophet”
The Tracks:
- “Estimated Prophet”: Great way to start the album! I like the unique time signature, 7/4 with a half-time. One of my favorite songs on the album. Love the saxophone on this.
- ” Dancing in the Streets “: I’m sorry, but you can’t touch the original version of this song. It’s slightly better than that abomination that David Bowie and Mick Jagger recorded, though. I can’t say it’s terrible, but I didn’t like it.
- ” Passenger”: Weir and Donna Jean sound great together. It’s got a great bass line.
- “Samson and Delilah “: Bob Weir does a great job on this arrangement.
- ” Sunrise “: Donna Jean sounds angelic on this one! Beautiful song!
- “Terrapin Medley”: The only song where Garcia sings lead on the album. This 7-part suite is excellent, and the album’s best feature! I love long songs like this one, and it doesn’t disappoint.
Final Verdict: This is a great album, for sure, with some great standout performances. I won’t call it a masterpiece, but I certainly enjoyed it!
Grade: B+
Aspie Catholic 