based on liner notes from Wake of the Flood's 50th Anniversary Edition
Wake of the Flood was the band's 1st album since American Beauty and their 1st to be recorded at The Dead's own studio called The Record Plant.
Prior to recording, the band lost members Pigpen and Mickey Hart.
There are plenty of biblical references throughout the songs on the album. Hunter's lyrics got at a deeper set of truths including the sense of promise that followed the great flood in the book of Genesis. God ended the cataclysm with a new covenant and Rick Griffin drew on that story for the cover with not only the water on the front cover but also with the raven on the back cover which symbolized the raven sent out by Noah to see if the flood was receding. The bird also evoked that context; it came from the old card game Rook, marketed as a Christian alternative to traditional playing cards.
Thoughtful observers noted wakes followed both floods and deaths and much of what the band recorded August 1973 would also honor their fallen friend Pigpen.
"Let Me Sing Your Blues Away is member Keith Godchaux's sole songwriting contribution to the album." Keith worked with Hunter for his song. The song evokes the healing power of music and the timelessness of the blues. The lyrics could be read as a homage to Pigpen (someone who lived the blues and understood their power to console even as they confronted the worst that life offered).
The Wake of the Flood album weaves the fabric of the Dead's history into its themes in ways that highlight its ambition and achievement.
The upbeat melody is awesome on this song which truly gives homage to the blues. Martin Fierro's soulful sax goes right through you! The layers of percussion add so much to the song.
based on liner notes from Wake of the Flood's 50th Anniversary Edition
Wake of the Flood was the band's 1st album since American Beauty and their 1st to be recorded at The Dead's own studio called The Record Plant.
Prior to recording, the band lost members Pigpen and Mickey Hart.
There are plenty of biblical references throughout the songs on the album. Hunter's lyrics got at a deeper set of truths including the sense of promise that followed the great flood in the book of Genesis. God ended the cataclysm with a new covenant and Rick Griffin drew on that story for the cover with not only the water on the front cover but also with the raven on the back cover which symbolized the raven sent out by Noah to see if the flood was receding. The bird also evoked that context; it came from the old card game Rook, marketed as a Christian alternative to traditional playing cards.
Thoughtful observers noted wakes followed both floods and deaths and much of what the band recorded August 1973 would also honor their fallen friend Pigpen.
"Let Me Sing Your Blues Away is member Keith Godchaux's sole songwriting contribution to the album." Keith worked with Hunter for his song. The song evokes the healing power of music and the timelessness of the blues. The lyrics could be read as a homage to Pigpen (someone who lived the blues and understood their power to console even as they confronted the worst that life offered).
The Wake of the Flood album weaves the fabric of the Dead's history into its themes in ways that highlight its ambition and achievement.
The upbeat melody is awesome on this song which truly gives homage to the blues. Martin Fierro's soulful sax goes right through you! The layers of percussion add so much to the song.