Built to Last is the thirteenth and final studio album by the Grateful Dead (their twenty-first album overall). It was recorded between February 1 and October 20, 1989, and released on October 31, 1989.
The album was released on CD in 1989 by Arista Records before being rereleased in 2000 by BMG International. It was then remastered, expanded, and released as part of the Beyond Description (1973–1989) 12-CD box set in October 2004. The remastered version was later released separately on CD on April 11, 2006, by Rhino Records.
This album features the most songs by keyboard player Brent Mydland, who has four song credits, all of which are in collaboration with Dead lyricist John Perry Barlow. This mirrored accurately Mydland's increasing vocal presence in the band over the decade he spent with the Dead. This album was Mydland's last album to be released during his lifetime, before his death a year later.
Track listing
Personnel
Grateful Dead: Jerry Garcia – guitar, vocals Bob Weir – guitar, vocals Brent Mydland – keyboards, vocals Phil Lesh – bass Bill Kreutzmann – drums Mickey Hart – drums, percussion
Production: John Cutler – producer, engineer Tom Flye – engineer Justin Kreutzmann – engineer Peter Miller – engineer David Roberts – engineer Jeff Sterling – engineer Chris Wiskes – engineer
Bonus tracks production "Foolish Heart" – recorded live at Alpine Valley Music Theater in East Troy, WI on July 19, 1989 (see also Fallout from the Phil Zone & Downhill from Here for more from this date) "Blow Away" – recorded live at John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia on July 7, 1989 (later released with full concert on Crimson White & Indigo) "California Earthquake (Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On)" – recorded live at The Spectrum in Philadelphia on October 20, 1989
Reissue production
David Lemieux – reissue producers James Austin – reissue producers Reggie Collins – liner notes Blair Jackson – liner notes Sheryl Farber – editorial supervision Cameron Sears – executive producer Joe Gastwirt – mastering, production consultant Tom Flye – mixing Robert Gatley – mixing assistant Hugh Brown, Steve Vance – art coordinator Jimmy Edwards – associate producer Robin Hurley – associate producer Hale Milgrim – associate producer Scott Pascucci – associate producer Eileen Law – research Vanessa Atkins – project assistant Steven Chean – project assistant Bill Inglot – project assistant Jeffrey Norman – project assistant Randy Perry – project assistant John McEntire – coordination Ken Friedman – photography Herbert Greene – photography Maude Gilman – artwork Greg Gyuricsko – artwork Dan Healy – concert sound Alton Kelley – direction, cover art John McEntire – coordination Billy Candelario – crew Steve Parish – crew Harry Popick – crew Robbie Taylor – crew
Charts Album – Billboard YearChartPosition1989The Billboard 20027
Singles – Billboard YearSingleChartPosition1989"Foolish Heart"Mainstream Rock Tracks8
RIAA Certification CertificationDateGoldJanuary 3, 1990
References