With the help of archivist/legacy manager David Lemieux, Grateful Dead fans will soon have access to nine unreleased live cuts of ’90s-era originals. The new album – dubbed Ready or Not – will be released on Nov. 22 via CD, digital and limited edition vinyl.
“Ready Or Not has been a long time coming. It’s an album we’ve been working on for many, many years. This batch of ‘new’ Grateful Dead songs has never been compiled in one place and given its proper due as a huge part of the Dead’s late-era legacy,” said Lemieux. “Many of these songs can easily stand alongside some of the Dead’s oldest, most-loved songs as bona fide classics despite their short tenure in the repertoire. We’ve dug deep into the archive and listened to countless live versions of these songs to find the best, most definitive live performances. When the Grateful Dead were ‘on’ in their later years, their live concerts were as good as any era in their history. The nine songs on Ready Or Not exemplify how good the Dead could be in their later years of touring.”
To some, Ready or Not could reflect the material that may have been included on the Grateful Dead’s next studio album. Standout tracks include an opening “Liberty” from Madison Square Garden (10/14/94) and an “achingly nostalgic” “Days Between” from 12/11/94.
To pre-order visit Dead.net.
Check out the full Ready or Not track listing below:
Ready or Not
- “Liberty” – Madison Square Garden, New York, NY (10/14/94)
- “Eternity” – The Pyramid, Memphis, TN (4/2/95)
- “Lazy River Road” – Dean Smith Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC (3/25/93)
- “Samba In The Rain” – The Omni, Atlanta, GA (3/30/95)
- “So Many Roads” – Star Lake Amphitheatre, Burgettstown, PA (6/23/92)
- “Way To Go Home” – Deer Creek Music Center, Noblesville, IN (6/28/92)
- “Corrina” – Madison Square Garden, New York, NY (10/14/94)
- “Easy Answers” – Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA (9/13/93)
- “Days Between” – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, CA (12/11/94)
20 Comments comments associated with this post
EyesoftheWorld
October 9, 2019 at 8:01 pmThat So Many Roads is the best ever
JAT
October 9, 2019 at 6:04 pmWho’s holding their breath waiting…
Objective Deadhead (Picky's friend)
October 9, 2019 at 5:45 pm“Many of these songs can easily stand alongside some of the Dead’s oldest, most-loved songs”…
OK, hyperbole much? You could just say “these don’t suck” (and we’d be split 50/50), but stand alongside the Dark Stars, the Tighten-up Jams, the great surprise segues over the year? NFW. Fail.
Stagger Lee
October 9, 2019 at 4:17 pmLove all but Vince’s songs.Better to leave out Phil’s horrible Wave To The Wind. Liberty and Corrina are my favorites.
Don’t Let Go
October 9, 2019 at 3:43 pmWhen you have to say it’s as good as any era more that once in the same paragraph, you’re selling lemons.
Martin Legg
October 9, 2019 at 3:00 pmEternity FELT like an eternity when Bob sang it.
Martin Legg
October 9, 2019 at 2:58 pm2, 4, 7 and 8 would never make my playlist.
Dave James
October 9, 2019 at 2:58 pmumm several years to come out with these 9 selections? While I appreciate the tunes selected that seems a bit slow. Get going there is a ton of good 90’s Dead to pick from. Doesn’t have to be limited to the newer tunes a showing of that 90’s old school jamming is much needed.
Tostonesfix
October 9, 2019 at 1:16 pmSome of these songs were first played almost 28 years ago. Doesn’t seem possible.
NoveauDeadhead
October 9, 2019 at 12:07 pmThese were bathroom breaks for me (save 3,5,9).
Phil Bomb
October 9, 2019 at 10:26 amI agree with the “SAD”….RE: Phil -IMO he knew the “We Want Phil!!!” chants were not meant for those tunes…..Tom Thumb’s first sets were awesome & Box of Rain….. one of my fav tunes….& can’t forget give me that Broken Arrow! ha ha …Thx Phil!
mb
October 8, 2019 at 8:42 pmEternity is one of my favorite 90’s tunes. Jerry would lean into that demented midi horn solo. Willie knows.
Vince>Mayer=Sad
October 8, 2019 at 7:47 pm1, 3, 5 & 9
All Jerry songs.
Michael Horgan
October 9, 2019 at 2:15 pmThat’s odd.
Cheesy Answer
October 8, 2019 at 5:03 pmI recall 2, 4, 6 , 7 & 8 as all great piss break songs ……..So Many Roads & Days Between were instant classics & so memorable live …..Lazy River Road was a nice chill 1st set tune……Liberty was a fun encore; but I do recall some of folks heading to exits when it started.
Tennesee Jed
October 8, 2019 at 3:30 pmI was at 3, 4, 5 and 6.
RichardsPoor
October 8, 2019 at 3:00 pm3, 5 & 9 are classics that rival anything else performed. 1 & 7 ok. Trash the rest.
Let Phil Sing
October 8, 2019 at 5:51 pmNone of the latter day Phil songs ?: Wave to the Wind, If the Shoe Fits, Childhood’s End. Do you think he said no in terms of them being released ??
RICHARDSPOOR
October 9, 2019 at 11:15 amLikely. I love Phil’s singing, Box of Rain is my #1 but Wave to the Wind is utter trash.
SideShow Bob
October 8, 2019 at 2:51 pm90’s Dead was Their PEAK years
I’m all over this.