Time has somewhat mellowed the general disdain that critics and Deadheads alike leveled at
Go to Heaven upon its release in May of 1980. Granted, none of these readings come close to their perfunctory live counterparts. However, that argument holds true for a vast majority of
the Dead's studio catalog -- which had now grown to include 16 albums. Additionally, this disc marked the beginning of keyboardist
Brent Mydland's tenure -- who had joined the band in the spring of the previous year and would remain for a decade. All eight of the songs -- not including "Antwerp's Placebo (The Plumber)," which is a 38-second instrumental percussion track -- had either already worked their way into
the Dead's live performance repertoire, or would in due time. These include "Althea," "Feel Like a Stranger," and "Saint of Circumstance," as well as the raucous rock & roll opening cut, "Alabama Getaway" -- which was likewise often the band's opening number in concert during the early '80s. (In a somewhat Prankster-esque sense of irony, "Don't Ease Me In" -- the disc's final number -- also closed many a first set during this era; additionally notable about the track is that it was one of the first songs the band performed back in 1965 -- when they were known as the Warlocks.) In terms of the quality of material,
Go to Heaven includes few gems. Primary among them are
Bob Weir's "Lost Sailor" and "Saint of Circumstance" pairing. While obviously not as thoroughly developed as it would become in concert, the lilting melody and fluctuating tempos are reminiscent of his "Weather Report Suite" from the 1973 release
Wake of the Flood. The groovin'
Jerry Garcia-sung ballad "Althea" is yet another example of a tune that would take on bolder and brighter hues as a concert staple for the remainder of
the Dead's performance life. ~ Lindsay Planer