Search - Grateful Dead :: Terrapin Station (Dig)

First Class (!)

Paul Ess. | Holywell, N.Wales,UK. | 04/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ok, it's hold my hands up time.

I've had an absolute field day on these reviews pages at the expense of the Dead (and others!) in general, and 'hippy types' in particular.

I've penned reams about faded loons, floral shirts, 10 minute mellotron solos, and, my particular favourite, the enjoyably ubiquitous centre-parting.



I suppose it's my inadequate way of coming to terms with the fact that I've been immersed in an art form that's completely alien to me. I've sneered, scoffed and chortled my way round some strange, intoxicating music, which I've usually grudgingly acknowledged, while at the same time, sarcastically pointing out every fallibility I can find. In short, I've stretched a point to breaking, with no other justification than narky inexperience.

Well that ends here.



My latest stop is 'Terrapin Station' and it's MAGNIFICENT on every level. A devastating mix of funk, rock and reggae, from the steely opening chords of 'Estimated Prophet' to the jumping climax of the 16 minute 'Terrapin Station pt1,' we're on a winner in a big way.

There's lyrical and melodic strength that's joyous and delightful, there's serious cohesion (my favourite rock term), clarity, and huge swathes of justified confidence. Justified because The Dead are on some kind of creative summit here-and don't they know it. The swagger is unmistakable. Each exquisitely crafted hook, each spray of feisty brass, every huge orchestral sweep is definite indication of a group on fire.



Despite the dodgy labeling, this is almost pure pop. It has a funny kind of sisterhood with Captain Sensible's album 'Revolution Now', in that its surface sheen and pomp is (incredibly!) just the bait that draws you in, ultimately to discover the width and depth of what lies beneath. A clear sign of inner richness.



The scope and aspiration of 'Terrapin Station' is breathtaking and immense. It has subtleties and intricacies that other lesser, workmanlike musics can only dream of - and it's sustained. It applies pressure in the first 5 seconds and never let's up; relentless, whirling rock music which is appealing well beyond a delirious few listens, and has a resonance and resolve which is unshakeable.



As with all truly great music, it's profoundly influential, good and bad. The obvious offspring are the likes of Chic and the stomping Brothers Johnson. Unfortunately the lineage ends somewhere around those mortifying uglies, Level 42, but it does illustrate that even the most hopeless cruds can't be ALL bad, if they're trying to emulate 'Terrapin Station'.



A truer album you won't hear. It's full, across the board solid. Alert, soulful and downright FUN.

I'm not even gonna whine about the awful (again!) cover art (I can still smell nappies when I think of 'Blues for Allah'), because for once, the ludicrous details which I normally cheekily celebrate, are unimportant.

And I've even jettisoned a slew of train jokes in favour of breathless positivism, such is the chill-inducing, magical beauty of 'Terrapin Station'.

I'm glad I'm alive."

Bonus Tracks

Kenneth M. Goodman | Cleveland, Ohio United States | 03/29/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This review concerns 3 bonus tracks only.

While the opening instrumental "Peggy O" is (only) under five minutes long, it's so beautiful it's (to use a cliche) worth the price of admission alone. Pure soaring beauty---Jerry soloing to the melodic ballad Peggy O! The second track is also short, but also excellent. It reminds me of the climactic building secion of the Otis Redding classic, "Try Some Tenderness." The final bonus track, "Dancing In The Streets," is super excellent... though you have to sit through about 4 minutes of vocals...it then launches into a long and fantastic Jerry solo that is close to ecstatic perfection...perhaps equaling the monumental version of this song which appears on Dick's Picks #8."

The Passenger

Amaranth | Northern California | 07/16/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Terrapin Station" took the Grateful Dead down a new set of tracks. It was the Golden Spike that sent them onto a progressive, surreal intercontinental railroad. "Terrapin Station" is a mesmerizing mix of music. The Grateful Dead was being,as usual, highly experimental... and the results were phenomenal.



The opening song "Estimated Prophet" is a joyous,sunshine ode to California,"standing on the burning shore." It's hymnlike. There are references to the prophet Elijah and his fiery chariot. "Passenger" a catchy ditty, with unusual riffs. Interestingly,"The Passenger" is the title for the still-unreleased Iggy Pop biopic (sorry,it's not about Phil Lesh) "Sunrise" has beautiful singing from Donna Godchaux. It's a hymn honoring a roadie who passed away; the final drumming is from a Native American chief. The Terrapin Station Suite is impressive. It's a nearly 20 minute sonic journey. "Counting stars by candlelight/the spiral light of Venus" turns it into a cosmic hymn on par with the Beatles' "Across the Universe." It was fitting that parts of Terrapin Station were recorded at Abbey Road in London. It's still a powerful,inspirational song.



The remastered edition has some beautiful extras. There are the enigmatic songs "Ascent" and "Equinox." "Catfish John" is creole-spiced Americana. "Dancin' in the Streets" gets some long jamming from Jerry Garcia. Finally,there's a studio outtake of "Fire on the Mountain",one of the Dead's most inspiring tracks.



"Terrapin Station" carries you away! It's the Dead's magical mystery tour."