Grateful Dead - From The Mars Hotel (1974) [MFSL 2019] PS3 ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Mastered on Mobile Fidelity's world-renowned mastering system and strictly limited to 2,500 copies, Mobile Fidelity's hybrid SACD of From the Mars Hotel comes on as both an audiophile delight and Deadhead's dream. Vastly improving upon the long-out-of-print 1984 MoFi version that currently commands upwards of hundreds of dollars on the aftermarket, the new version takes advantage of enhancements to the cutting system, pressing process, and mastering gear. MoFi's engineers have taken every precaution in honing the sound and feel of the Dead classic.

Originally made in a modern facility dubbed Studio A – a large cinderblock room that Columbia Records specially outfitted for Simon and Garfunkel, who, ironically, split up before they could use it – From the Mars Hotel was primarily recorded live to 16-track machines. After laying down the basic structures, a few overdubs got added, most notably in the form of John McFee's rustic pedal-steel guitar accents on one track and Ned Lagin's spacey synthesizer passages on another. Always prized for its superb fidelity, the effort possesses an uncanny sense of airiness around the vocals, brilliant microdynamics, excellent transients, reference-caliber balance, accessible tonalities, and the distinctive aura of a real band playing in a defined space.

The Grateful Dead made their reputation on the road with their live shows, and they always struggled to capture that magic in the studio. From the Mars Hotel, while not a classic, represents one of their better studio albums. Jerry Garcia sounds engaged throughout and takes the vocal reigns for most of the songs on the album – although he's not the most gifted vocalist, he proves himself able and versatile. He sings the rollicking opener, "U.S. Blues," with a tongue-in-cheek seriousness that gives the political song an edge, and he lends emotional sincerity to the atmospheric ballad "China Doll." Garcia shines on guitar during the funk workout "Scarlet Begonias," but the ensemble work is best displayed on the album's centerpiece, "Unbroken Chain." During this song, all the musicians are allowed to shine: Phil Lesh, the bassist and songwriter, provides tender vocals over a piano-based arrangement while the bridge allows the guitars and drums to stretch out in classic Grateful Dead style. This album is highly recommended for fans, but casual listeners should start with American Beauty or Workingman's Dead.

Tracklist:

01. U.S. Blues
02. China Doll
03. Unbroken Chain
04. Loose Lucy
05. Scarlet Begonias
06. Pride of Cucamonga
07. Money Money
08. Ship of Fools

Personnel
Jerry Garcia - lead guitar, vocals
Donna Jean Godchaux - vocals
Bob Weir - guitar, vocals
Keith Godchaux - keyboards, vocals
Phil Lesh - bass guitar, vocals
Bill Kreutzmann - drums
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Ned Lagin - synthesizers
John McFee - pedal steel guitar

Recorded on March 30 - April 19, 1974 at CBS Studios, San Francisco, CA.
Mastered by Shawn R. Britton at Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, Sebastopol, CA.


Thanks to PS³SACD!
Uncompressed SACD ISO size > 1,5 GB

Grateful Dead - Workingman's Dead (1970) [MFSL 2014]
Grateful Dead - American Beauty (1970) [MFSL 2014]
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