Long Strange Trip

Watched this on Amazon Prime and it brought back a lot of good memories. I saw The Grateful Dead live front row in Colorado at Mile High Stadium back in the day. The part about recording bootleg tapes was cool. I had over 1500 live bootleg tapes at one point. 🎸🎶 🎼 🎵

Just enough detail to make people get it. The rest is discovered through the music and the experience still today.

I watched Long Strange Trip as an individual series on Prime, and it gives a fantastic overview of what the Dead were - their humble beginnings, their dedicated cult following, how their fame began to cause things to spiral following their 'Touch of Grey' hit, and the impact this all had on lead guitarist Jerry Garcia.

Being a recent head myself, it masterfully conveys the appeal the band had, and why their music was so unique and spoke to so many people. The last two episodes are amazing watches, episode 5 in particular is a perfect summary of what made the Dead and their gigs so tantalizing.

Only real negatives is that it was a bit too Jerry-centric. I wish the series focused a bit more on the individual members themselves. Beyond him, the documentary doesn't really delve into the character of other bandmembers - not even Bobby. Pigpen and Brent were also grossly overlooked. Also, despite being rife full of great tunes throughout, very little attention is given to the production behind the songs/albums themselves (beyond a brief segment regarding their transition from their experimental psychedelic music to Americana). So, in a sense, the biggest complaint would be that the documentary isn't even LONGER.

Overall, LST perhaps isn't the best introduction to non-Deadheads, but it most certainly is a love letter to those already on the bus! By all means, if you're curious, give this documentary a watch. But this is a MUST if you're already a fan!

One of the best expressions of the Grateful Dead. In telling the story, the documentary does an excellent job in conveying the mythos that drove the band from their outset and all throughout their odyssey. Best of all, the documentary tells the story using its own voice- it's a totally original approach and it pulls no punches. Are there gaps or things left out? Yes. But as Amir Bar-Lev has said in his interviews, there is a difference between writing wikipedia posts and telling a story. And he really tells a cool story. Regarding the soundtrack: the selections follow the story and the mood in a way that adds punch and poignance to the emotional groundswells that occur throughout the movie (and there are some really potent ones). Bararba Meir, Steve Parish, Dennis Leonard, and SAM CUTLER could each steal the show, but instead their contributions all intertwine, yielding something greater than the parts. And it was great to see Owsley's contributions recognized. So many good things to say about this film!!!! Lastly- the story is done in a way that works for "insiders" as well as anybody unfamiliar with the band. In that regard, it is very much like going to a Grateful Dead concert- there's plenty of room for everybody to make what they want of it. The Omnipotent Grateful Dead.... Bravo Amir!!!!!

This is a must for any Dead Head. But, I would love to believe it is also a brilliant way to initiate someone on the Dead, if they can allocate the time! It's a wonderful journey through the 50 years of the Dead, with a truly masterful soundtrack (make sure to get a good sound system for your listening enjoyment). The editing is great. Lots of great interviews of the group, crew, friends and family. To be seen again!