The Music Never Stopped: The Roots of the Grateful Dead

The Grateful Dead have been inspired by a stunning variety of American musical artists and traditions in their long career, ranging from blues to country to rock to folk. This collection features the original versions of The Dead's best-loved cover tunes, showcasing music that is both exciting and moving.

Lovingly compiled by a group of Dead insiders, including Henry Kaiser, David Gans, and others, with the enthusiastic support of The Dead itself, this collection includes extensive notes that provide an overview of how the band came to cover each of these tunes and when they first performed them in concert. The distinctive Robert Crumb cover artwork adds to the collectability of this release.

The tracks on this album include "Rain and Snow" by J. Obray Ramsey, "Mama Tried" by Merle Haggard, "Iko Iko" by Dixie Cups, "Samson And Delilah" by Rev. Gary Davis, "Big Railroad Blues" by Cannon's Jug Stomp, "El Paso" by Marty Robbins, "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" by Bob Dylan, "Spoonful" by Charlie Patton, "The Red Rooster" by Howlin' Wolf, "The Promised Land" by Chuck Berry, "Don't Ease Me In" by Henry Thomas, "Big Boss Man" by Jimmy Reed, and "Turn On Your Love Light" by Bobby "Blue" Bland.