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Last weekend, we filled you in on the new Play Dead app, featuring a treasure trove of Grateful Dead concert performances from over the years.  Today, Rhino announced a trio of new editions celebrating the band’s 1970 album Workingman’s Dead: Rhino High Fidelity reissues on vinyl and reel-to-reel tape, and a Dolby Atmos mix overseen by drummer Mickey Hart.

Frequently hailed as one of the Dead’s most accessible albums (along with its follow-up, American Beauty), Workingman’s Dead placed its focus on tighter songcraft in a country/folk-oriented vein that would later be described as “Americana.” The Dead’s fourth studio album, it introduced the group’s first chart hit, the timeless “Uncle John’s Band,” as well as the fan-favorite “Casey Jones” which has received substantial airplay over the years as well. Solidifying the band’s reach to a wider audience, Workingman’s Dead (originally released on June 14, 1970) reached the top 30 of the Billboard 200 and further solidified the enormous legacy of Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Ron McKernan, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann, and Mickey Hart.

The Rhino High Fidelity vinyl edition was cut from the original master tapes by Kevin Gray and pressed on 180-gram black vinyl at Optimal in Germany. The LP is housed in a glossy gatefold package with liner notes by Dead historian David Gans.  It’s limited to 5,000 individually numbered units and is available exclusively at Rhino.com and via select Warner Music Group storefronts.  For those with the capability to play reel-to-reel tapes, Rhino also offers a rare audiophile experience with its remaster.  This presentation of Workingman’s Dead was duplicated in real time from a 1:1 copy of the original flat analog master.  The label states that “the 15 i.p.s. half-track 1/4″ tape is produced to the IEC equalization standard on premium RTM LPR90 tape stock and housed on a 10.5″ metal reel.” The Reel-to-Reel edition is limited to just 300 copies worldwide and available exclusively at Rhino.com.

Last but not least, Rhino brings Mickey Hart’s 2023 Dolby Atmos mix to the Blu-ray Audio format.  5.1 surround and stereo remixes by Hart (unique to those he made in 2001 for Rhino’s DVD-Audio release) are also included on the disc and playable in DTS-HD Master Audio.  Craig Anderson has mastered the Blu-ray Audio disc.  It’s available now from Dead.net and Rhino.com.

All formats of Workingman’s Dead are out now from Rhino.  You’ll find the track listing and order links below.

Grateful Dead, Workingman’s Dead (Warner Bros. WS 1869, 1970 – reissued Grateful Dead/Rhino, 2026)

Blu-ray Audio: Rhino.com / Dead.net
Rhino High Fidelity LP: Rhino.com
Rhino High Fidelity Reel-to-Reel: Rhino.com

1. “Uncle John’s Band”
2. “High Time”
3. “Dire Wolf”
4. “New Speedway Boogie”
5. “Cumberland Blues”
6. “Black Peter”
7. “Easy Wind”
8. “Casey Jones”