Originally a three-LP set, this live document of the band at their largest (an octet if you count non-performing lyricist/official member Robert Hunter) is a well-recorded portrait of one of the Dead's finest eras. The Chick Corea-channeled-through-Floyd Cramer piano of Keith Godchaux had already begun to take the Dead to new improvisational heights, but diehard bluesman Pigpen was still representing the group's roots with his harmonica and gritty vocals.
If you favor the jamming side of the Dead, EUROPE '72 offers a wealth of riches. "Morning Dew," "Truckin'" and other classics are presented in epic versions, spotlighting the musicians in all their free-form glory. But those who admire the band's excellent songcraft won't be disappointed either, as songs like "Jack Straw" and "Tennesee Jed" exemplify the Dead's gift for matching lyric with melody. Though the Dead had their moments in the studio, this extended set captures the band as they were truly meant to be experienced: live and uncut.
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Cumberland Blues | 5:47 |
He's Gone | 7:12 |
One More Saturday Night | 4:45 |
Jack Straw | 4:16 |
You Win Again | 3:54 |
China Cat Sunflower | 5:33 |
I Know You Rider | 4:55 |
Brown Eyed Woman | 4:45 |
Hurts Me Too | 7:18 |
Ramble On Rose | 6:09 |
Sugar Magnolia | 7:04 |
Mr. Charlie | 3:40 |
Tennessee Jed | 7:13 |
Truckin' | 13:08 |
Epilog | 4:33 |
Prelude | 8:08 |
Morning Dew | 10:35 |
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Released November 05, 1972, this 3 LP live set was recorded during the Dead's 1972 tour of Europe. Parts of the album were overdubbed after the tour.
The 'DeadHeads' newsletter issued in August 1972 announced the approaching release of this album and indicated the recording dates for the tracks as follows:
Cumberland Blues, April 8, 1972 Empire Pool in Wembley, London, England
Hes Gone, May 10, 1972 Concert Gebouw in Amsterdam, Holland
One More Saturday Night, May 26, 1972 Lyceum in London
Jack Straw Olympia Theatre in Paris, France
You Win Again May 24, 1972 Lyceum in London
China Cat Sunflower Olympia Theatre
Brown Eyed Women Tivoli Theatre in Copenhagen, Denmark
It Hurts Me Too May 24, 1972 Lyceum in London
Ramblin Rose May 26, 1972 Lyceum in London
Sugar Magnolia, May 4, 1972 Olympia Theatre
Mister Charlie, May 23, 1972 Lyceum in London
Tennessee Jed Olympia Theatre
Mornin Dew, May 26, 1972 Lyceum in London
Truckin May 26, 1972 Lyceum in London