vinyl

In 1973, following the recent passing of founding member Ron "Pigpen" McKernan and the temporary departure of drummer Mickey Hart, Grateful Dead released Wake Of The Flood. As the debut album from their own record label, Grateful Dead Records, the studio LP marked a period of transition, growth, endurance and optimism for the band, introducing a fresh lineup that included new members Keith and Donna Godchaux on keys and vocals. While songs like "Eyes Of The World," "Stella Blue," and "Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo" were largely road-tested for more than half a year before hand, and have remained staples of live sets by any number of Dead- related bands ever since, the album and record label delivered both a profound artistic statement and proof of concept for the community, ideals and future the band were building. Together they ushered in a new era of Grateful Dead - one defined by hope, independence, ambition and accessibility - and in celebration of its 50th Anniversary, Wake Of The Flood has been newly remastered.