History of the Grateful Dead Vol. 1: Bear's Choice (1973) is a live album drawn from recordings made at the Fillmore East, New York, in February 1970 — selected and produced by the band's former sound engineer Owsley "Bear" Stanley. Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, and Phil Lesh lead an ensemble through a set heavily weighted toward acoustic material: folk songs, country ballads, and repertoire including "Dark Hollow," "Katie Mae Blues," and "Wake Up Little Susie." The 1970 acoustic phase the Dead pursued that year — performing with acoustic instruments in split sets — is well represented here, revealing the old-time and country substrate that ran beneath the band's more prominent psychedelic identity. Garcia's commitment to acoustic music and the bluegrass tradition, which he pursued formally in later collaborations, is audible in this early documentation of the band's roots-oriented dimensions.
Tracklist
- 1 Katie Mae - Live at the Fillmore East in New York City, NY February 13, 1970; 2001 Remaster 4:44
- 2 Dark Hollow alt version 3:52
- 3 I’ve Been All Around This World alt version 4:19
- 4 Wake up Little Susie - Live at the Fillmore East in New York City, NY February 13, 1970; 2001 Remaster 2:31
- 5 Black Peter - Live at the Fillmore East in New York City, NY February 13, 1970; 2001 Remaster 7:28
- 6 Smokestack Lightnin' - Live at the Fillmore East in New York City, NY February 13, 1970; 2001 Remaster 17:59
- 7 Hard to Handle - Live at Fillmore East, New York City, NY February 14, 1970; 2001 Remaster 6:15