The “Blues For Allah” album that GRATEFUL DEAD bestowed on the world back in 1975 felt special to the ensemble and their fans alike for a variety of reasons, two of those being the platter’s memorable cover artwork, submitted by Philip Garris, and of course, the music itself, Middle-Eastern-flavored and commercially viable. Both sings and instrumental pieces which formed the record quickly became crowd favorites and stood the test of time proudly enough to warrant an interest to the classic’s jubilee-related reissue.
Set to be released on September 12th, the expanded edition of it seems great – at first, what with a fresh remaster involving tape restoration and speed correction, and two additional discs documenting a contemporary soundcheck and live shows where a few cuts come from San Francisco, the band’s home-turf – yet, in fact, this version is far from perfect. While 2004’s “Beyond Description” box set included a smattering of studio outtake from the album sessions, none of those ended up on the forthcoming reissue – neither on CD, let alone vinyl, nor on a standalone Blu-ray variant that holds Steven Wilson‘s mixes – Dolby Atmos, 5.1 surround, hi-resolution stereo, plus an instrumental one.
Blues For Allah
CD 1 – Blues For Allah – 2025 Remaster:
1. Help On The Way
2. Franklin’s Tower
3. King Solomon’s Marbles
4. The Music Never Stopped
5. Crazy Fingers
6. Sage & Spirit
7. Blues For Allah:
Sand Castles And Glass Camels /
Unusual Occurrences In The Desert
CD 2
Live at Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA
Soundcheck/Rehearsal – August 12th, 1975:
1. Help On The Way
2. Slipknot!
3. Franklin’s Tower
4. Help On The Way (Reprise)
5. Slipknot! (Reprise)
6. Franklin’s Tower (Reprise)
7. King Solomon’s Marbles
8. Crazy Fingers
9. Sage And Spirit
Live at Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, CA – March 23rd, 1975L
10. Blues For Allah
11. Stronger Than Dirt (Or Milkin’ The Turkey)
12. Drums
13. Stronger Than Dirt (Or Milkin’ The Turkey) (Reprise)
14. Blues For Allah (Reprise)
CD 3
Live at Tower Theater, Philadelphia, PA – June 21st, 1976:
1. The Music Never Stopped
2. Help On The Way
3. Slipknot!
4. Franklin’s Tower
Live at Tower Theater, Philadelphia, PA – June 22st, 1976:
5. Crazy Fingers
6. Comes A Time
7. Eyes Of The World
8. Dancing In The Street
