Deadicated: A Tribute to the Grateful Dead

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Customer Reviews: Read 20 more reviews...

3 out of 5 stars

A Mixed Bag with Stellar Gems December 28, 2003
16 out of 29 found this review helpful

The best tracks here are keepers for the ages; but the duds have only withered over time. Originally released in the late 1980s, this tribute album offers the original covers by artists who followed up by keeping the Dead tracks in their performing repertoires. Los Lobos' "Bertha" is a classic. Dwight Yoakam's "Truckin'" stayed in his live shows for years. Lyle Lovett's "Friend of the Devil" likewise. And the all time keeper of this collection must be Burning Spear's "Estimated Prophet," which captures the spirit of the song in a way even the Dead never imagined. I remember hearing an NPR interview with Winston Rodney, Burning Spear's leader and founder, in which he said he'd never heard of the band much less heard the song before. But that learning it, playing it and recording it changed him. He still plays the song to this day. The midlin' tracks on the CD are Hornsby's "Jack Straw", " Dr. John's "Deal", Indigo Girls' "Uncle John's Band", David Lindley ("Casey Jones") and Elvis Costello ("Ship of Fools"). All are good, some reach for great. A few even make it. But the duds ... ouch! ... are Jane's Addiction's murderous misinterpretation of "Ripple", Midnight Oil's bewilderingly clueless "Wharf Rat" (they'd never heard of the Dead and were included by the producers to take full advantage of the band's popularity at that time), Suzanne Vega's whispy-voiced "China Doll", which reaches for tragedy and ends up just plainly annoying, and Cowboy Junkie's meandering "To Lay Me Down."

4 out of 5 stars

Something for everyone August 4, 2003
8 out of 10 found this review helpful

Back in the days before there were tribute albums for every band you've ever heard of (and some you haven't), there was Deadicated, and it quickly became apparent that it would be a tough act to follow. If you know the Dead, but not the contributing artists, you will surely be compelled to look them up after hearing them here. If you are a fan of one or more already, buy this CD and learn about the underappreciated songwriting talents of Garcia, Hunter, Weir, and Barlow. All we need now is a tour...

5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic... August 17, 2004
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

I guess everyone has diff. likes & dislikes, but I appreciate this album b/c it introduced me to Lyle Lovett through his tremendous cover of "Friend of the Devil", and the Cowboy Junkies, which at first I couldn't stand, then couldn't get out of my head, now love. Without waxing too poetic, I think of all the covers, the CJ's offered a poignant version of the Dead classic. Anyway, this CD offers something for everyone- I highly recommend it for a lifetime of listening.

4 out of 5 stars

Worthwhile, but not perfection. July 12, 2000
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

You know those CDs that you can listen to again and againwithout ever skipping over a song? Those CDs I call perfection. If"Deadicated" had just a few less songs it would be that much closer to perfection. Since I'm a positive person, I will ignore the songs that irritate me and focus this review on the tracks that rock my world. "Uncle John's Band" as sung by the Indigo Girls is one of the best covers I've heard in my life. The guitar work is great, as usual, and the Girls really know how to pay tribute without changing the meaning of the song. Elvis Costello is as smooth as ever and brings a new feeling to "Ship of Fools." Although I don't know the reasons why, I'm really glad Suzanne Vega sings two tracks on this CD. Her voice is so soothing...the version of "Cassidy" on this album is my favorite. Lyle Lovett can't be beat--I'd heard his version of "Friend of the Devil" on a local radio show and knew I had to have this CD. Burning Spear certainly does justice to "Estimated Prophet"--Spear is a fantastic reggae group, their cover is excellent but I also recommend checking out their original work; brilliant! Lastly, who would have thought of Perry Farrel and his boys covering the Dead? Well, it works--and "Ripple" is the perfect song for Jane's to tackle. Despite the few low points in this CD, the good songs are VERY good. Thank goodness for the "track skip" button. Enjoy!

3 out of 5 stars

Refreshing interpretation May 27, 2006
5 out of 6 found this review helpful

Picked this CD out of the rack after not listening to it for years.

Los Lobos' Bertha interpretation is close to the original, but with a nice hint of accordion. Bruce Hornsby's Jack Straw is great, one can tell he played with the Dead many a time and I (for one ;-) think that he performed wonderfully with them over the years. Whatever you think of him, he can play piano.

Forget The Hashed Mellows' US Blues, what a disappointing straightforward rock-ish version that is. Elvis Costello's Ship of Fools is sort of interesting in the sense that he has some of Jerry's raspiness and I like the instrumentation.

Suzanne Vega's China Doll sounds like, well, a Vega tune, which isn't bad, but perhaps a bit dull. Happily her Cassidy is much livelier, certainly besting her 1988 appearance with GD in New York. Her delivery makes me appreciate the lyrics more than I did though.

Dwight Yoakim's Truckin' is kind of fun, which kind of scares me because I'm no country fan, and catches the spirit of the song. Warren Zevon/David Lindley's Casey Jones is utterly forgettable.

Indigo Girls' Uncle John's Band provides a harmonic touch, but they seem bored with the tune. Bit I sure liked Lyle Lovett's Friend of the Devil, a nice acoustic version of the classic.

Cowboy Junkies' To Lay Me Down makes you believe this was a Junkies' song all along, with the typical Timmins guitar sound and ability to make any song a sad one. Midnight Oil's Wharf Rat may bear the least resemblence to the original, but provides some much needed interest to the CD.

Burning Spear's Estimated Prophet is the reason to buy this CD. Hard to believe Rodney hadn't listened to the Dead before, because it's so right. Actually, I like this version better than the original.

Dr. John's Deal is somewhat overdone. Finally, I know folks here like Jane's Addiction's Ripple, but I think it strips the song of its beauty, like sung by a bunch of drunks at a karaoke bar, oh wait...

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