"Althea" is a song by the Grateful Dead, with lyrics written by Robert Hunter and music by Jerry Garcia.
The studio version doesn't display the subtleties of the Dead's instrumental interaction as keenly as live renditions — such as the one on the two-CD set Go to Nassau.
Brent Mydland — who joined the Dead just prior to Go to Heaven — would also weave some bright and lyrical lines behind Garcia's lead.
Guitarist John Mayer first heard the song in 2011 on Pandora and became infatuated with the Grateful Dead.
[11] The song was covered on the 2016 compilation album Day of the Dead by Winston Marshall, Kodiak Blue, and Shura.
[12] "Althea" was covered on Jaime Wyatt's 2023 album Feel Good, featuring Black Pumas guitarist Adrian Quesada.