Althea (2013 Remaster) Here

The lyrics reference William Shakespeare's Hamlet through lines like "clown in the burying ground" and "fate of Ophelia / Sleeping and perchance to dream".

Unlike the more improvisational live versions, the 2013 Remaster highlights the clean, bluesy guitar work of Garcia and the intricate keyboard layers added by Brent Mydland , who had recently joined the band. Standout Live Versions Althea (2013 Remaster)

The name Althea (or Althaea) means "healer" . In myth, Althea was the Queen of Calydon who famously threw a log into a fire to end her son's life, a theme echoed in the line "maybe it's your fire / Baby, don't get burned". Key Facts & Legacy In myth, Althea was the Queen of Calydon

If you enjoy the 2013 studio remaster, fans often recommend these live recordings for their added energy: the 2013 Remaster highlights the clean

The song was a staple of the Dead's live shows, performed 273 times between its 1979 debut and the band's final shows in 1995. It was famously one of the songs that convinced John Mayer to delve into the Grateful Dead's music, leading to the formation of Dead & Company.