Product Review

Before The Dead brings together a rare collection of the earliest known performances by Jerry Garcia. From an informal and intimate 1691 performance of simple folk songs at a birthday party with future songwriting partner Robert Hunter to more polished coffeehouse gigs with old-timey and bluegrass bands through 1964, this collection showcases Garcia’s deep study of the folk music tradition and its influence on his musical journey leading to the formation of the Grateful Dead.