

The recordings were culled from the February 13 & 14, 1970 late shows (bonus tracks on reissues include contemporaneous recordings from Graham's Fillmore West, in San Francisco). The time at promoter Bill Graham's Fillmore East, the band played both an early show and a late show. Reflecting this approach (though it was ultimately released three years later), the album has an acoustic side and an electric side.

The album was recorded during a period when the Grateful Dead were playing concerts consisting of electric sets, plus an acoustic set, revisiting their roots as a folk/ jug band. The album peaked at number 60 on the Billboard 200. It was originally intended to be the first volume of a series.

Often known simply as Bear's Choice, the title references band soundman Owsley "Bear" Stanley. Records, it offers concert highlights recorded February 13 at the Fillmore East in New York City. It is their fourth live album and their ninth album overall. History of the Grateful Dead, Volume One (Bear's Choice) is a live album by the Grateful Dead.
