Q: What is your favorite track on the album American Beauty? Why is this song your favorite?
A: I love the album American Beauty so it's hard to say which is my favorite track! I would probably say that "Friend of the Devil" is my favorite. The song has a different feel to a lot of the rest of the album. It is very upbeat and almost makes you want to dance! I like how the song continues to build up its happy mood - the beginning is empty in essence but then the drums and other instruments start to come in gradually, slowly building up the song. I also enjoy the use of the mandolin in the song. Overall, the song puts me in a great mood and always manages to lift my spirits when I'm feeling down.
Q: Is American Beauty your favorite album of the Grateful Dead? Or is there another album that you enjoy more?
A: I wouldn't say that I have a particular favorite album of the Grateful Dead. So many of the albums speak to me in different ways. American Beauty is most definitely one of my favorites, though. While I enjoy rock and roll, I live and breath country and folk music. American Beauty is a fusion of all the music that I love. Though Grateful Dead is a predominantely a rock and roll band, this album fuses together bluegrass, folk and country music - a perfect blend!
Q: Even though this album was released in the early 70's, would you say it embodies the ideals of the 60's era?
A: I would say that certainly there are parts of the album that embody the characteristics of the 1960's. But you are sure to find many songs that truly embody the heart and soul of rock and roll. Many of the themes and messages of these songs are very typical of a rock and roll song. "Till' The Morning Comes" for instance, talks of a woman being 'easy' which has a heavy sexual connotation. Though some of their lyrics were typical of a rock and roll band, American Beauty exemplifies a psychedelic sort of album. The mix of all different types of music genres puts the listener or "deadhead" in a different sort of world, confusing them and mixing up their senses.
Q: Do you have a favorite band member of the Grateful Dead? If so, who?
A: While I love them all, I have to admit that my favorite band member of the Grateful Dead is Jerry Garcia. Garcia, being the lead vocalist and often times lead guitarist was so inspirational to me when I was much younger. Like many of the band members, Jerry was from San Francisco, my hometown. When he was in the army he was based at the Presidio, an old army base that was located right near my house! At a few of the Grateful Dead concerts that I went to, I was astounded by his guitar genius. I was truly inspired by his amazing improvisation and ability to be such a hero to so many young people.
Q: Were you heavily influenced by the Grateful Dead and the general rock and psychedelic culture during the 60's/70's? If so, how?
A: The rock culture during the 1960's and 70's was a revolution, or at least it felt like it at the time! As a young kid during this era, I felt just by listening to a Grateful Dead album like American Beauty like I was apart of a cultural phenomenon. Though I did not attend the Summer of Love in San Francisco or use hallucinogenic drugs, I wanted so much for the hippies to succeed with their message of peace and love. I have not stopped listening to the Grateful Dead even now 50 years later. Their empowering message and thrilling music are still apart of my life today.
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