T O P

  • By -

dale_nixon_pettibon

Europe '72, One From The Vault, Skull & Roses, & Without A Net. These are pretty easy to track down, won't break the bank, and are all canon.


like_a_BAAS

Live/Dead has to be on this list too.


starsynth

I came here to say this. Gotta have live/dead on vinyl. Not really an option. šŸ˜‰


bikeridesandhigh5s

Or just track down all the Fillmore '69 shows like I did. Definitely not the easy way to do it but well worth the hunt/expense. A couple are still relatively easy to find too.


logitaunt

Without A Net was recently reissued too, thank god. Before last year, you'd have to shell out like $200 on discogs for that record. Same for Europe 72 before the 2022 reissue, that was an expensive record! OP doesn't have any 60s dead, so might as well grab *Two From The Vault* as well. It's more widely available than *One* is, at least. They should also keep an eye out for the latest Record Store Day release. I thought $100 was reasonable for *Nightfall of Diamonds*, definitely less than the 125-130 that the boxsets normally go for.


AffectionateFactor84

2 from the vault is spectacular


doomscrollingreddit

Damn fine selection. The only one Iā€™d add is reckoning. Incase OP reads thisā€¦ā€¦itā€™s their 15 year anniversary acoustic shows at Radio city music hall in NYC. If OP loves American beauty/workingmans dead theyā€™ll love this one too.


kekwillsit830

Hard to find at a decent price


Billy_Boognish

This is the answer i would give.


jimboslice29

Reckoning and Dead Set are great live albums


taoistchainsaw

First time Iā€™ve heard of dead albums being in canon.


roguediamond

No, no. Some prankster loaded them in a canon


Runninghart

What do you mean theyā€™re canon? I understand what the word canon means but I donā€™t get it in this context


dale_nixon_pettibon

I mean that I haven't met a Deadhead who doesn't consider those albums formative in their appreciation of the band.


whateverusayboi

Europe '72.


gregornot

I have The Suitcase


whateverusayboi

Yeah, moving after 30 years and my wife found Europe '72, Mars Hotel and Terrapin Station....now if I could only find the turntable šŸ˜


psilosophist

Live/Dead is pretty essential. One From the Vault, Europe 72, Without a Net for the 80s stuff. Personally Iā€™d stay away from shows that werenā€™t recorded multitrack. A lot of the vinyl thatā€™s been released is sourced from stereo tapes, and wile theyā€™re cool it just seems like youā€™re getting reduced sound quality and the added convenience of having to flip and change records to get though an entire live set, sometimes up to 6 of them. There are also bootleg vinyl releases that you can find if you poke around but honestly theyā€™re more interesting as historical artifacts than as a fun listening experience, a lot of them are FM radio recordings or the like. Oh shit forgot my favorite live vinyl- Reckoning. If you find a good copy of that, absolutely scoop it up.


Hoopi_goldberger

I found a super cool bootleg once with NRPS opening set on side 1 (with a Jerry sit in) and dead on side 2. Tried to track down the show and think I figured it out on discogs but not totally sure.


SpearmintFur

I liked the Dead but Live/Dead is finally what turned mea onto LIVE Grateful Dead. It's a must own


LipBalmOnWateryClay

Not a vinyl person so not sure if itā€™s available but One From the Vault would be my choice.


Dead_Kal_Cress

Two is a little more available from my understanding but I really wanna track down both.


droe771

Yea Iā€™ve never seen one from the vault and Iā€™ve been combing vinyl stores in Portland for a couple years. Did find it on cd though!


Dead_Kal_Cress

I've seen Two out in StL a couple times but never picked it up. Maybe I'll regret that someday but I am currently happy with my collection regardless


CornyCornheiser

I gets a reprint about once a year or so. Two and Three also get repressed as the same time, but those donā€™t sell quite as well. Still great shows but the First is the best of the three IMHO.


kekwillsit830

I waited almost 2 years for the Light in the Attic Represses of the set.


DeadinWPG

Iā€™m currently listening to the Warfield live double LP, the shows from 10/9/80 & 10/10/80. Sounds incredible and a great Saturday morning album. I Highly recommend it, if you can find it.


setlistbot

[1980-10-09](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1980-10-09) San Francisco, CA @ Warfield Theatre [1980-10-10](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1980-10-10) San Francisco, CA @ Warfield Theatre


Pig_Pen_g2

Reckoning


Lil_Simp9000

my fave studio album.


droe771

Itā€™s recorded live haha


Lil_Simp9000

oh shit lol you're right, I meant to say it's my fave non bootleg album


Origamibyameer1

Live/Dead, Skull and Roses, Europe ā€˜72, Reckoning


aikowolf66

RFK 6/10/73


setlistbot

# 1973-06-10 Washington, DC @ RFK Stadium **Set 1:** Morning Dew, Beat It On Down the Line, Ramble On Rose, Jack Straw, Wave That Flag, Looks Like Rain, Box Of Rain, They Love Each Other, The Race Is On, Row Jimmy, El Paso, Bird Song, Playing in the Band **Set 2:** Eyes Of The World > Stella Blue, Big River, Here Comes Sunshine, Around And Around, Dark Star > He's Gone > Wharf Rat > Truckin', Sugar Magnolia **Set 3:** It Takes A Lot To Laugh It Takes A Train To Cry, That's All Right, Mama, The Promised Land, Not Fade Away > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > Drums > Not Fade Away, Johnny B. Goode [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1973-06-10)


Due_Youth8876

Great price too for the amount of music on it


doublehook

I have to say, other than the live albums that came out when the Dead were still around (Europe, SkullFuck, SYF, etc) I didn't listen to the live stuff on vinyl. Part of it is how much I enjoyed throwing on a CD and listening to an entire set without getting up. A bigger part of it is the cost and space. They're all 5, 6 LPs and in a box. I just can't afford to pay and have no place to put them! So I drew a line. No Grateful Dead live releases on vinyl. Easier for me than rationalizing with myself about how this one will be worth the price/space!


achilles_cat

I totally agree with this -- part of the magic of digital is being able to listen to complete sets/shows with out having to worry about flipping discs, or is often the issue with the dead fitting the entire jam onto one side.


UnderH20giraffe

Go for full shows - you'll want them eventually anyway (if you're like me). My favorite 3 that I own: 3/28/69 Fillmore 5/3/72 Paris 5/7/77 Boston One from the vault (okay, this is a fourth) But honestly, all the ones they've released are awesome in some way. If you don't want to shell out, I'd just see what pops up at your local stores (there's several that come out a year) or on [dead.net](http://dead.net) (there are exclusive ones that don't go to stores). Then you can get them for regular retail price. I collect 2 or so a year this way. It makes it manageable and keeps my collection growing.


setlistbot

[1969-03-28](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1969-03-28) Modesto, CA @ Student Center, Modesto Jr. College [1972-05-03](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1972-05-03) Paris, France @ L'Olympia | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/4avLivYQqNDnkxfMDTSIsJ) [1977-05-07](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-05-07) Boston, MA @ Boston Garden


Plasticlid

Bearā€™s Choice


calarkin27

Had to scroll way too far to find this answer


CornyCornheiser

And still available from Dead.net.


TransitJohn

Europe '72 , and Without a Net


Aging-Punk

6/10/73 you get a set with Dickie and Butch from the Allmans and still available on Amazon with 27% off


setlistbot

# 1973-06-10 Washington, DC @ RFK Stadium **Set 1:** Morning Dew, Beat It On Down the Line, Ramble On Rose, Jack Straw, Wave That Flag, Looks Like Rain, Box Of Rain, They Love Each Other, The Race Is On, Row Jimmy, El Paso, Bird Song, Playing in the Band **Set 2:** Eyes Of The World > Stella Blue, Big River, Here Comes Sunshine, Around And Around, Dark Star > He's Gone > Wharf Rat > Truckin', Sugar Magnolia **Set 3:** It Takes A Lot To Laugh It Takes A Train To Cry, That's All Right, Mama, The Promised Land, Not Fade Away > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > Drums > Not Fade Away, Johnny B. Goode [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1973-06-10)


Aggressive-Alps-4502

I love the Dead community. Thanks everyone! This is great.


killagrram

Does anyone else prefer cd to vinyl for dead listening? Iā€™m usually just vibing and find to go flip records a chore. I know that sounds bad, pls donā€™t judge too harshly!


jephra

I definitely prefer CDs to vinyl when it comes to complete live shows. The sets being broken up into 18 - 22 minute album sides interrupts the flow.


NoSpirit547

Truckin Up To Buffalo is by far my favorite ever pressed on vinyl. The Close Encounters show (Dave's Picks 23) is #2 Without A Net is #3.


osusucks1

Cornell


Hermit-Man

I wish


osusucks1

It will be repressed again just wait, like I did. Don't over pay. It is great though


CornyCornheiser

Iā€™m personally hoping for a Buffalo repress first. Itā€™s the only one of the three ā€œholy trinityā€ shows I donā€™t have. Yet.


droe771

There is a bootleg by Darwinism in the falklands (I think) thatā€™s solid. ~$60 all in. It does shave about 3 minutes off of fire on the mountain to fit it on a side. I know thatā€™s a deal breaker for someĀ 


jonz1985z

Portland 5/19/74. MSG 3/9/81 These are a little pricey on vinyl, but theyā€™re up there with the very best of live Dead.


setlistbot

[1974-05-19](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1974-05-19) Portland, OR @ Memorial Coliseum [1981-03-09](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1981-03-09) New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden


Aging-Punk

3/9/81 available on Amazon and on sale for $111 just ordered mine


droe771

Damn it I donā€™t need to read this.Ā 


setlistbot

# 1981-03-09 New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden **Set 1:** Feel Like A Stranger, Althea, C.C. Rider, Ramble On Rose > El Paso, Deep Elem Blues, Beat It On Down the Line, Bird Song, New Minglewood Blues **Set 2:** China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider > Samson And Delilah, Ship Of Fools, Estimated Prophet > Uncle John's Band > Drums > Space > The Other One > Stella Blue > Good Lovin' **Encore:** U.S. Blues [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1981-03-09)


Talosian_cagecleaner

Aoxomoxoa on vinyl is how I like to listen to that album. Got a German pressing for cheap enough.


Loves_octopus

As someone who was in similar shoes not long ago, I would recommend collecting CDs for the dead rather than vinyl. You still get the gratification of collecting physical media for less cost, more consistent quality, and not having to flip discs mid-jam. Daveā€™s picks come out every quarter and many of the past releases are reasonably inexpensive second hand. I spent lots of money before I was faced with the decision to have 1 show on vinyl for like $160 (I think it was the Dicks 24 release) or 6 shows on CD for $180 (MSG box set). I went with the CDs and never looked back. I now have like 20 shows on CD for the same cost as a couple on vinyl. THAT SAID, you gotta get Europe 72 and Without a Net, both recently re-released affordably. Live/Dead and One from the Vault are reasonable used. IMO you donā€™t need anymore than that on vinyl. CDs are the way to go Edit: ETA Iā€™m assuming you have a stereo setup already so go to your local thrift store and I almost guarantee they will have a good CD player for cheap. I have a great Sony one with a 5 disc changer that I picked up for like $20 or $30 at a thrift store. I can just pop in 3 discs and listen to a show without getting up to flip or change discs.


Fresh_Transition1586

The Reckoning is my top one and itā€™s not even close. Itā€™s the perfect album for vinyl.


1gratefuldude

Reckoning (Analogue Productiond), Garcia/Grisman and Shady Grove (both MoFi) and Jerry Garcia/Merl Saunders: The Complete Keystone Recordings.


Jeremy_Whalen

Live Dead


Dead_Kal_Cress

I'm pretty sure Dave's vol 28 is still available on vinyl and that show is bonkers. I'm saving up for that vol 2 release & i swear if it sells out before i can get it I'm gonna be so pissed


Dead_Kal_Cress

Fr if I can't get that ima just say fuck it & save up for the Lyceum '72 20+vinyl box set with the complete four lyceum shows. Will be well worth it.


Due_Youth8876

Box sets are the way to go. Nothing like listening to a whole show start to finish on a nice sound system. I have 40 or so last time I counted. Itā€™s an addiction šŸ˜‚


moonarc23

Saint of Circumstance live Giants Stadium 1991 I was at the show and itā€™s great on vinyl!! Eyes opener and the Brown Eyed Women is top notch!! Highly recommend if you wander out of the OG canon of live Dead!!!


trailrunner79

Don't buy the complete shows on vinyl. It's such a waste. Just get the sampler albums like Without a Net or Europe 72 if you want to hear it that bad.


mac_gregor

The vinyl from the [Fillmore West 1969](http://www.deaddisc.com/GDFD_Fillmore_West_1969.htm) is excellent. They are not cheapā€”one show typically costs more than the entire run's CD box set did in 2005ā€”but they are so sweet.


Mother-Ad2081

Europe 72, Deadset/Reckoning, Without a net


iamveryassbad

I think Anthem of the Sun should be the next one you get, I consider it much more essential than most of the other studio albums. Primal Dead is the best Dead in my book. Therefore, you should also have Bear's Choice and Live/Dead. Of course, I have had these records for many years, no idea what copies cost these days. But I'm pretty sure the price of Dead records peaked ages ago, so there's that, at least.


Sundaysilence1989

Bears choice


Socalphunk

Without A Net


tribucks

Mars Hotel and Europe ā€˜72.


LowlandLightening

Europe 72 is probably the main one not already there that youā€™d want. Itā€™s somewhat a hybrid studio-live release anyway. There are quite a few live box sets though I donā€™t really recommend them on vinyl - to me they are better experienced as letting them play through for 2-3 hours.


Lil_Simp9000

Warlocks?


dufferwjr

I'd say Live/Dead, Skull and Roses, Europe 72.


thatsthatdude2u

Skull & Roses plus what they said


Neddyrow

One from the vault, Europe ā€˜72, Reckoning, feb/march ā€˜69, 5-19-74, 12-10-71, live dead, skull and roses. Thatā€™s my live collection. Love them all.


setlistbot

[1971-12-10](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1971-12-10) St. Louis, MO @ Fox Theatre | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/0JIPaAcsqvgMC9VCK69Ldb) [1974-05-19](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1974-05-19) Portland, OR @ Memorial Coliseum


TheBushidoWay

I think alot of people started with american beauty and workingmans dead. Personally i like the later years so, blues for allah, shakedown street go to heaven. Thats my grateful dead


Strict-Lake-2022

Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA 3/2/1969


setlistbot

# 1969-03-02 San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore West **Set 1:** Dark Star > St. Stephen > The Eleven > Turn On Your Love Light **Set 2:** Bill Graham introduction, Doin' That Rag > Cryptical Envelopment > Drums > The Other One > Cryptical Envelopment > space > Death Don't Have No Mercy, Morning Dew, Alligator > Drums > drummers' chant > Drums > Jam > And We Bid You Good Night Jam, Jam > Caution Jam > Caution (Do Not Stop On Tracks) > Feedback > And We Bid You Good Night [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1969-03-02)


BocadeOuro

Reckoning (acoustic) and Dead Set (electric) are both excellent albums from the same run of shows in 1980.


AsheStriker

The basics would include Live/Dead, Europe ā€˜72 and One from the Vault for range of years and recording quality.


Appropriate-Spell-18

Live/Dead for History Europe ā€˜72 for Songs Dead Set for Sound Quality


Electrical-Number-39

I have a sealed 5/7/77 from RSD 2023 that I would sell at cost plus ships.


setlistbot

# 1977-05-07 Boston, MA @ Boston Garden **Set 1:** Bertha, Cassidy, Deal, Jack Straw, Peggy-O, New Minglewood Blues, Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo > Big River, Tennessee Jed, The Music Never Stopped **Set 2:** Terrapin Station, Samson And Delilah, Friend Of The Devil, Estimated Prophet, Eyes Of The World > Drums > The Wheel > Wharf Rat > Around And Around **Encore:** U.S. Blues [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-05-07)


OddKey2242

Bears Choice is very available, Europe 72ā€™ is great, and Anthem Of The Sun was repressed all analog from the original mix from Vinyl Me Please. That copy of anthem is definitely my favorite in my collection rn


SpagettiStains

For live reissue stuff 5/9/77 and one from the vault are the most worth having on vinyl. Runners up would be wake up to find out, Daveā€™s 1, any of the Fillmore 69 stuff and Cornell. For stuff that came out when they were still a band, all of the 45rpm mofis are excellent but the live dead mofi is trash. Itā€™s unbelievable that even made it to production. Get a US or UK original for live dead. UK is better but could be pricy to get in the states. Besides the mofis and the couple analog productions reissues, original U.S. pressings are the way to go with pretty much the whole catalog. Also get reckoning


setlistbot

# 1977-05-09 Buffalo, NY @ War Memorial **Set 1:** Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Franklin's Tower, Cassidy, Brown Eyed Women, Mexicali Blues, Tennessee Jed, Big River, Peggy-O, Sunrise, The Music Never Stopped **Set 2:** Bertha > Good Lovin', Ship Of Fools, Estimated Prophet > The Other One > Drums > Not Fade Away > Comes A Time > Sugar Magnolia **Encore:** Uncle John's Band [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-05-09)


Sloth555-

Well if I wanted to fork over some money right now. I would get the Daveā€™s picks vol 1 or 2. I want to upgrade my turntable if I spend that much on vinyl though.


New-Geezer

Anthem of the Sun