Completely Conspicuous 504: American Beauty

I'm joined by guest Phil Stacey as we discuss the Grateful Dead's album American Beauty. Show notes: - Recorded at CompCon world HQ - Cover art could also be read as "American Reality" - Also released in 1970; recorded a few months after Workingman's Dead came out - Even more countrified, Americana-sounding - Mickey Hart was on his way out, less involvement - Featured on Freaks and Geeks episode where Lindsay gets into the Dead - Half the album features "hits": Box of Rain, Friend of the Devil, Sugar Magnolia, Ripple, Truckin' - Very low-key record - Play Ripple at Phil's funeral - On 50th birthday playlists - Phil's idea for a playlist: 5 songs from every year of his life, no repeat artists - Around this time, the Dead started really growing their fanbase - Dead fans started following them on tour - A lot of guests, including David Grisman - This album isn't as dark as the previous one - Another fairly concise record - The Dead played the old Boston Tea Party club (now House of Blues) on New Year's Eve 1969 - The sound on this album is more timeless than the original acid-rock - Jay: Just say no to DMB - Phil: More into the Dead's music than the scene - Truckin' is autobiographical, all about touring and getting hassled by the Man - Ends the album on an upbeat note, with some ripping lead guitar - Next up: Europe '72 Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review! The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.