Album of the Day

After releases on their own label, Grateful Dead signed with then-new Arista Records to release TERRAPIN STATION on this day in 1977. Company president Clive Davis wanted something commercial and to that end enlisted Keith Olsen – formerly of The Music Machine and more recently Fleetwood Mac's producer – to work with the band. The orchestral and choral touches he added may have been unusual for the Dead, but top-notch material was not, and the collection includes such future concert staples as “Estimated Prophet,” the side-long title suite and an outstanding take on Rev. Gary Davis' “Samson and Delilah.” Following a two-year hiatus from touring, the set was a success, bringing the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers a Gold record. Next stop on their long, strange trip: TERRAPIN STATION.