‘American Beauty,’ Now 50 Years Old, Keeps on Truckin’ at the Bardavon
The Bardavon Theater in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., is celebrating the 50th anniversary (and what a long strange trip …) of the Grateful Dead’s “American Beauty” album with a virtual concert on Nov. 1. 
classic rock

‘American Beauty,’ Now 50 Years Old, Keeps on Truckin’ at the Bardavon

It’s the 50th anniversary of an iconic Grateful Dead album, and the Bardavon in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., is celebrating with a free online show on Sunday, Nov. 1, at 8 p.m. featuring covers of songs from the album and the general Dead song list. 

One of the highlights of the show will be Jefferson Airplane’s Jorma Kaukonen performing “Operator,” with John Hurlbut. Kaukonen went on to have a long and fruitful solo career after leaving the Airplane.

The show will also include the lovely “Box of Rain,” written by Dead founding bass player Phil Lesh, with Robert Hunter. It’s one of the few recordings of Lesh singing.  Nicki Bluhm and Amy Helm will cover the song for the Nov. 1 show.

Members of Moonalice and Doobie Decibel System will cover “Attics of My Life.” 

Other covers will include Animal Liberation Orchestra (ALO) performing “Friend of the Devil;” Mihali performing, “Sugar Magnolia;” Yonder Mountain String Band performing “Candyman;” Marco Benevento performing, “Ripple;”The Harmonellas performing “Brokedown Palace;” Railroad Earth performing, “Till the Morning Comes;” and Donna the Buffalo performing, “Truckin’.”  

As a bonus,  from “Workingman’s Dead,” The Weight Band will cover “New Speedway Boogie.”

The 50th anniversary celebration was curated by Bardavon Production Manager Stephen LaMarca; the show has commentary by Bardavon Executive Director Chris Silva.

A portion of all donations from this and other concerts in the Bardavon streaming series Bardavon Presents @ You Tube will benefit People’s Place in Kingston, N.Y., and  Dutchess Outreach in Poughkeepsie.

Coming up next on  Bardavon Presents @You Tube is the 50th anniversary of “Loaded” by the Velvet Underground on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 8 p.m. with special guest artists.

Don’t be sad that your favorite albums are celebrating their half century; be glad that you grew up with so much great music!

Find the Bardavon’s “American Beauty” tribute on Sunday, Nov. 1, at 8 p.m. and see other shows, too,  at www.youtube.com/channel/UCfYyXGTdmF4O55Duc4sgaSw. 

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