Grateful Dead - American Beauty

A companion piece to the luminous Workingman's Dead, American Beauty is an even stronger document of the Grateful Dead's return to their musical roots. Sporting a more full-bodied and intricate sound than its predecessor thanks to the addition of subtle electric textures, the record is also more representative of the group as a collective unit, allowing for stunning contributions from Phil Lesh (the poignant opener, "Box of Rain") and Bob Weir ("Sugar Magnolia"); at the top of his game as well is Jerry Garcia, who delivers the superb "Friend of the Devil," "Candyman," and "Ripple." Climaxing with the perennial "Truckin'," American Beauty remains the Dead's studio masterpiece -- never again would they be so musically focused or so emotionally direct. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide

Name Credits Amalie R. Rothschild Photography Bill Kreutzmann Drums, Group Member Bob Weir Vocals, Guitar Daniel Goldmark Editorial Research Dave Collins Pre-Mastering Assistant Dave Nelson & the King's Men Guitar (Electric) Dave Torbert Bass Dave Torbet Bass David Gans Liner Notes David Grisman Mandolin David McLees Executive Producer David Nelson Guitar (Electric), ? Fred Ordower Photography Ginger Dettman Project Assistant Grateful Dead Producer Greg Allen Reissue Art Director, Reissue Design Henry Diltz Photography Herbert Greene Photography Howard Wales Organ, Keyboards, Piano Hugh Brown Reissue Art Director Jeffrey Norman Engineer Jerry Garcia Vocals, Group Member, Piano, Guitar, Guitar (Steel), Pedal Steel Joe Gastwirt Pre-Mastering Mickey Hart Drums, Mixing, Remix Producer, Sound Design, Group Member, Engineer, Percussion Mouse Studios Design Ned Lagin Keyboards, Piano New Riders of the Purple Sage ? Phil Lesh Piano, Group Member, Bass, Guitar, Vocals Rachel Gutek Reissue Art Director, Reissue Design Robert Hunter Group Member, Songwriter Robin Hurley Producer Ron "Pigpen" McKernan Harmonica, Keyboards, Vocals Rudson Shurtliff Engineer Stanley Mouse Photography Stephen Barncard Producer, Audio Supervisor Steve Hall Mastering, Stereo Master Steve Pokorny Project Assistant Steve Woolard Project Assistant Tom Flye Mastering Supervisor, Mixing, Engineer Vanessa Atkins Editorial Supervision