Grateful Dead Mars Hotel

I have the Silver CD version. It is one of those albums I just keep returning to.

Mars is great, get it.

Awesome record-I have the MFSL LP version, the regular version and MFSL silver d/c version. In all honesty, I like the c/d version better (typically I prefer the sound of LP). However, the silver c/d version is very rare-if you can find it it will probably cost you $60 or so. Good luck.

MArs Hotel and Terrapin Station (especially the second side suite) are two of my favorite Dead albums.

My standard issue vinyl copy of TS I picked up second hand is sub-par though, a bit "dead" sounding and requires a lot of volume to wake it up. I may have a sub-standard pressing or something. I need to replace it.

I have the MFSL verstion, and it is a good recording, and a good pressing. Unfortunately, I never owned the standard (non-MFSL) version to compare it against.

(In case you're wondering why I haven't heard the standard version to compare it against, it is because I was introduced to this album when I bought (cheaply, I might add), the old (silver, not gold) MFSL CD version. I liked it enough to search out the vinyl version, which is somewhat better than the CD.)

My advice is to find a near mint copy of the standard version cheap, and just buy it, (unless you have it already of course). Then, if you really love this album, (and it is a good album), then watch Ebay for a near mint copy to pop up and pick it up then. (I seem to recall that is exactly how I bought my copy, and I don't remember it being too expensive. I probably paid less than $30 for it.)

Good Luck!

PS The American Beauty album is pretty good on MFSL vinyl too.

Sweet! I found a copy and, based upon your responses, I cannot wait for it to get here. Rball, I would be interested in hearing your story.
Thanks,
Mike

If it is done anywhere near as well as the Terrapin Station MoFi, you're in for a treat. IMO all Dead albums, especially studio, are very well recorded, mastered and mixed. The TS MoFi is also very quiet and detailed. For many reasons the music on MH was a turning point in the bands career. Their previous album was a moderate success so the guys were in a mood to take some chances on this effort and push the envelope a bit. I'l never forget the circumstances that evloved the day this album hit the street. But that is a topic for another forum.

I have not heard the MF LP but assure you the "standard" version sounds wonderful. AND...the music is great which is even more important.