"A New Life for a Dead Classic... The concert lineup, produced by David Spelman (who also played guitar in an instrumental duo between songs), mirrored the eclecticism of the Dead and generally recast the songs. Catherine Russell... was the concert’s discovery... wistful, sultry rhythm and blues. She sang "New Speedway Boogie" over a jazzy bass vamp and Larry Campbell's mandolin, in a skeletal arrangement that only heightened the song's philosophical reflections. And she merged her voice precisely with Jim Lauderdale's classic country twang when he sang the deathbed testimony of "Black Peter" in a string-band arrangement."
– Jon Pareles, The New York Times


"The Grateful Dead had its origins in the folk revival, but it took a while for the band to find the right balance between long-form psychedelic jams and small-scale, acoustic country-folk. A diverse group of musicians gathers this weekend to pay tribute to the Dead's two eureka albums from 1970."
- Ben Sisario, The New York Times

"In 1970 Bay Area acid-gobblin' mavericks the Grateful Dead released one of their most important and best-loved records, American Beauty. Besides being one of their biggest commercial hits - yielding radio play for "Truckin'", "Sugar Magnolia," and "Friend of the Devil" - the album expertly honed their early attempts at fusing rock 'n' roll with bluegrass, folk, and most notably, country. In tribute, a wide array of artists will be performing two free shows over two days, playing individual favorite tracks from Beauty, as well as the similarly revered Workingman's Dead."
- The Village Voice

"If you know 'Uncle John's Band' isn't some relative's act, this sweet-as-a-sugar-magnolia event is for you."
- New York Post