After satisfying their nine-title/dozen-disc deal with Warner Brothers,
the Dead began their own record labels: Grateful Dead Records (for group releases) and Round Records (for solo projects).
Wake of the Flood was the first
Dead disc issued entirely under the band's supervision -- which also included manufacturing and marketing. Additionally, the personnel had been altered as
Ron "Pigpen" McKernan had passed away. The keyboard responsibilities were now in the capable hands of
Keith Godchaux -- whose wife
Donna Jean Godchaux also provided backing vocals. It had been nearly three years since
American Beauty -- their previous and most successful studio album to date -- and, as always,
the Dead had been honing the material in concert. A majority of the tracks had been incorporated into their live sets -- some for nearly six months -- prior to entering the recording studio. This gave the band a unique perspective on the material, much of which remained for the next 20-plus years as staples of their concert performances. However, the inspiration and magic of
the Grateful Dead's music has always been a challenge to capture in the non-reciprocal confines of a studio. Therefore, while
Wake of the Flood was certainly as good -- if not arguably better than -- most of their previous non-live efforts, it falls far short of the incendiary performances the band was giving during this era. There are a few tracks that do tap into some of
the Dead's jazzier and exceedingly improvisational nature. "Eyes of the World" contains some brilliant ensemble playing -- although the time limitations inherent in the playback medium result in the track fading out just as
the Dead start to really cook. Another highlight is
Bob Weir's "Weather Report Suite," which foreshadows the epic proportions that the song would ultimately reach. In later years, the band dropped the opening instrumental "Prelude," as well as "Part One," choosing to pick it up for the extended "Let It Grow" section. The lilting
Jerry Garcia ballad "Stella Blue" is another track that works well in this incarnation and remained in
the Dead's rotating set list for the remainder of their touring careers. ~ Lindsay Planer