Grateful Dead's seventh studio album, 1974's From the Mars Hotel, is the latest to see an expansion in the band's ongoing 50th anniversary series.  The 3CD and digital set premieres a live show from May 12, 1974.  It arrives on June 21 from Rhino, along with various vinyl variants of the original album.

From the Mars Hotel, originally released on June 27, 1974, was the second release on the group's own Grateful Dead Records following 1973's Wake of the Flood.  This busy period also saw the band introduce their "Wall of Sound" system in concert on March 23, 1974 at the Cow Palace in Daly City, California; though the massive sound system only lasted through October, it represented the band's ongoing experimentation and desire to bring their music even closer to the audience.  Tracks from Mars Hotel such as "Scarlet Begonias," "U.S. Blues," and "Ship of Fools" would begin showing up in concert setlists prior to studio sessions, giving Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann, and Keith and Donna Jean Godchaux the chance to "road-test" the new material.  The majority of the songs on Mars Hotel were written by the team of Garcia and Robert Hunter, but Phil Lesh contributed two songs with Robert Petersen ("Unbroken Chain" and "Pride of Cucamonga") while Weir and John Perry Barlow wrote "Money Money."  Lesh's songs would feature the final two leads he would sing on a Dead studio album.  Upon its release, the album peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard 200.

The 2004 Rhino reissue added seven bonus tracks: four live performances plus an alternate take of "Loose Lucy" and demos of Phil Lesh's two songs.  The upcoming 50th Anniversary Edition instead adds demos of "China Doll" and "Wave That Flag" (the embryonic version of "U.S. Blues") plus the band's previously unreleased live show from the University of Nevada - Reno recorded on May 12, 1974.  The stadium show, presented on 2 CDs, includes Mars Hotel tracks ("U.S. Blues," "Ship of Fools"), covers ("El Paso," "Me and Bobby McGee"), and Dead favorites ("Sugar Magnolia," "Brown-Eyed Women," "Truckin'"), all of which filled the large stadium thanks to the Wall of Sound.

From the Mars Hotel has been remastered by David Glasser using the Plangent Processes for tape restoration and speed correction, and Ray Robertson has written new liner notes.  The 3CD set will be joined by a 50th Anniversary vinyl remaster on 180-gram black vinyl, limited Neon Pink vinyl, limited "Ugly Rumors" custom vinyl (exclusive to Dead.net), and a picture disc created with zoetrope artist Drew Tetz.

Tomorrow, the Good Ol' Grateful Deadcast will premiere its ninth season with the story of From the Mars Hotel.  It's available wherever you listen to podcasts.  Today, the demo of "Wave That Flag" is streaming.  You'll find the full track listing and pre-order links for From the Mars Hotel: 50th Anniversary Edition below.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Grateful Dead, From the Mars Hotel: 50th Anniversary Edition (Grateful Dead/Rhino, 2024)

3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1LP Black Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
All formats (including "Ugly Rumors" vinyl): Dead.net

CD 1: Original Album (Grateful Dead Records LP GD-102, 1974)

1. U.S. Blues
2. China Doll
3. Unbroken Chain
4. Loose Lucy
5. Scarlet Begonias
6. Pride Of Cucamonga
7. Money Money
8. Ship Of Fools

Bonus Tracks

9. China Doll (Demo)
10. Wave That Flag (Demo)

CD 2: Live From The University Of Nevada-Reno, 5/12/74

1. Sugaree
2. Mexicali Blues
3. Tennessee Jed
4. Jack Straw
5. Brown-Eyed Women
6. Beat It On Down The Line
7. China Cat Sunflower>
8. I Know You Rider
9. El Paso
10. S. Blues
11. Greatest Story Ever Told
12. It Must Have Been The Roses
13. Me And Bobby McGee

CD 3: Live From The University Of Nevada-Reno, 5/12/74 (continued)

1. Deal
2. Around And Around
3. Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo
4. Truckin'>
5. The Other One>
6. Row Jimmy
7. Big River
8. Ship Of Fools
9. Sugar Magnolia