Track List

Run for the Roses review

The CD Run for the Roses is Jerry Garcia’s last solo studio release with his electric band. The title track has a catchy melodic phrase that has guitar runs reminding me of the Grateful Dead’s hit “Touch of Grey.” It is the most popular song from the CD.  However, my favorite song is the blues inspired love song “Valerie.”  The acoustic based "Midnight Getaway" is a mellow worthwhile song featuring strong singing.

Several cover versions on the CD are included. Though, two are leftover tracks from Compliments, "I Saw Her Standing There," and "Without Love," both of which are average in terms of that albums material. Their take on Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” is recorded at too slow a pace with a reggae feel, IMO, plus I do not care for the clavinet.

The original album has worthwhile music, but it is not essential. The addition of the bonus tracks (see below) with the 2004 remastering certainly adds value, but it is still the least necessary of Garcia's studio albums. by Barry Small © 
Grade  C

Run For the Roses bonus material
Just as our conclusion that Run For The Roses is Garcia's weakest output of his studio albums, the same is true of the bonus material. One general conclusion is that these songs all sound better live. 

The version of "Dear Prudence" includes a horn section from members of the jazz oriented band Reconstruction of 1979 that Garcia was a member of.

Three of the songs feature Garcia and Kahn working through arrangements with drummer Johnny de Foncesca who performed with Garcia's band during the period of late 1979 through the spring of 1980. One of those songs, "Alabama Getaway" is interesting to hear, but on a comparative basis it is no match for the Grateful Dead version and specifically Phil Lesh's bass runs.  

The two Dylan tracks do not include significant guitar solos, but do offer nice concise arrangements with clear vocals. 

1. Run for the Roses (Garcia / Hunter) - 3:30
2. I Saw Her Standing There (Lennon / McCartney) - 2:53
3. Without Love (McPhatter) - 4:22
4. Midnight Getaway (Garcia / Hunter / Kahn) - 7:46
5. Leave the Little Girl Alone (Hunter / Kahn) - 3:33
6. Valerie (Garcia / Hunter) - 5:19
7. Knockin' on Heaven's Door (Dylan) - 7:27

Bonus Material
Fennario
Alabama Getaway
Tangled Up In Blue
Simple Twist Of Fate
Dear Prudence
Valerie (Alternate Mix)

Initially, the bonus tracks were only available in The Garcia box set, All Good Things: Jerry Garcia Studio Sessions released in April 2004. In April 2005 they were sold as individual discs. 

Jerry Garcia - guitar, vocals
John Kahn - bass, synthesizer, piano, clavinet, guitar
Ron Tutt - drums, tambourine, percussion
Melvin Seals - organ
Merl Saunders - organ
James Warren - piano, clavinet
Michael O' Martian - clavinet, piano
Roger Neuman - trumpet
Julie Stafford - vocals
Liza Stires - vocals

Label -  Arista Records
Remastered by Rhino 2004