Garcia review
The
self-titled CD Jerry Garcia came out in 1972 and is more of a
follow up to the Grateful Dead’s American Beauty album than a Jerry Garcia Band release. Only two of
songs were performed by the Jerry Garcia Band on a regular basis,
“Deal” and “Sugaree.” Of those two, “Sugaree” was
dropped from the concert rotation, and “Deal” was performed by
both Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead. Six of the songs from this
CD were regular concert rotations in the Grateful Dead’s
repertoire.
The
compositions on Garcia show the direction that the Grateful
Dead was moving in, that is, from country style towards a rock tone,
and very strong in melody. Many of the songs have pedal steel guitar
solos showing his vast music diversity - an offshoot of American
Beauty and Garcia’s New Riders of the Purple Sage stint in 1970 –
’71. Jerry
Garcia played all the instruments but drums. While he did a
competent job he is no Phil Lesh and his piano parts are able to add
melody, but not much more.
This CD
has outstanding song writing with many of the songs becoming fan
favorites such as the classic “Bird Song,” the under-played
beautiful love song “To Lay Me Down,” the cheerful “The
Wheel” to name a few. Jerry Garcia’s first solo disc is a
classic. by Barry
Small
©
Grade A
-
Garcia
Bonus
Material
The bonus tracks
from Garcia offer a rare glimpse at the creative process of a
musical genius constructing songs and is priceless. This album was
basically recorded with acoustic guitar and drums with the other
sections overdubbed.
First
up, "Sugaree" offers a gorgeous bare acoustic
guitar and drums rendition of the classic. There are two versions of "The
Wheel" that are completely different The
first highlights pedal steel
experimentation while the latter offers an instrumental piano based
workout. Certainly neither is radio ready, but they are not supposed to
be. They sure sound good to me.
The "Late For Supper / Spidergawd / Eep Hour" segment doesn't delve into "To Lay Me Down" like the
final version, but it interesting to hear its framework.
Does
anyone else hear inferences of "Bertha" in "Study For
The Wheel?"
"Study For “Eep
Hour"
shows Garcia's mastery of controlling dynamics where he changes moods on a dime. The conclusion sounds a bit like "Death Don't Have No
Mercy," or if you use your imagination "The Other
One" > "Stella Blue." All fun things in the key of
E.
Overall,
The original Garcia album has always been a classic and to hear
glimpses of the creation of it is required listening.
Garcia box-set: All
Good Things: Jerry Garcia Studio Sessions
