Garcia, Jerry

Band members               Related acts

- Jerry Garcia (RIP 1995) - vocals, guitar

- John Kahn - bass, synthesizers, guitar, keyboards

- Roger Neuman - horns

- Michael O'Martian - clavinets, keyboards

- Marvin Seals - keyboards (1982)

- Ron Tutt - drums, percussion (1982)

- Jimmy Warren - keyboards (1982)


 

 

- Grateful Dead
- The New Riders of the Purple Sage
- Seastones
- Howard Wales and Jerry Garcia

 

 

 

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Garcia

Company: Rounder

Catalog: RX-102

Year: 1974

Country/State:

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG+

Comments: minor ring, edge and corner wear

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 

Price: $15.00

 

Produced by John Kahn, 1974's cleverly-titled "Garcia" (not to be confused with the 1972 set), probably threw many longtime Deadheads in to diabetic comas. For anyone expecting a typical set of Dead-styled ramblings, this set came as a major shock. Difficult to describe, selections such as "When the Hunter Get's Captured By the Game", "That's What Love Will Make You Do" and "Let It Rock" surrounded Garcia with tight and highly commercial material. Geez, there were even horn arrangements and female backing vocals ("He Ain't Give You None")!!!. Wonder what Deadheads thought of the '20s-styled cover of Irving Berlin's "Russian Lullabye" ... Can't believe we're actually typing this, but Garcia's singing was seldom as focused or strong. Interestingly, while numerous references claim the album served as a collection of songs Garcia considered personal favorites, that's not the case. With producer Kahn delegated responsibility for selecting material, Garcia actually went into the studio having only heard most of the songs once or twice - he apparently had to use lyric sheets while recording most of the songs. The album proved a surprisingly strong seller, peaking at #49. (The collection was originally released with an embossed cover.)

"Garcia" track listing:
(side 1)

1. ) Let It Rock (Chuck Berry) - 3:12
2.) When the Hunter Get's Captured By the Game (Smokey Robinson) - 2:46
3.) That's What Love Will Make You Do (Henderson Thigpin - James Banks - Eddy Marlon) - 3:42
4.) Russian Lullabye (Irving Berlin) - 3:04
5.) Turn On the Bright Lights (Albert Washington) - 5:04

(side 2)

1.) He Ain't Give You None (Van Morrison) - 3:25
2.) What Goes Round (Mac Rebbennack - 3:07
3.) Let's Spend the Night Together (Mick Jagger - Keith Richards) - 3:40
4.) Mississippi Moon (Peter Rowan) - 3:06
5.) Midnight Town (John Kahn - Robert Hunter) - 3:12

 

Genre: rock

Rating: ** (2 stars)

Title:  Run for the Roses

Company: Arista

Catalog: AL-9603

Year: 1982

Country/State:

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: minor edge and corner wear

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4654

Price: $15.00

 

 

 At the risk of pissin' off Deadheads everywhere, I wish I could say something nice about 1982's "Run for the Roses" ... well the cover art by Victor Moscoso is kind of cool (okay, I feel better now).  The fact of the matter is that with a couple of exceptions there simply isn't much to get excited about here.  Co-produced by Garcia and multi-instrumentalist John Kahn, the set's passable, but Garcia and company simply don't generate much steam or enthusiasm for the mix of originals and covers.  Getting the bad news out of the way, Garcia's sluggish take on 'I Saw Her Standing There' may be one of the all time worst Lennon-McCartney covers ever done.  A cover of Dylan's 'Knockin' On Heaven's Door' isn't much better (surprising since the Dead usually did a pretty good version in their live show).  The original '' has about as much drama as wet cereal - stretching out over seven minutes you can't but hope the woman would just jump in her car and get the hell out of dodge.  So way's left after than aural slaughter?  The Garcia-Hunter title track mildly catchy.  Same for 'Valerie'.  For completists only !!!

"Run for the Roses" track listing:
(side 1)

1. ) Run for the Roses   (Jerry Garcia - Robert Hunter) - 3:30

2.) I Saw Her Standing There   (John Lennon - Paul McCartney) - 2:53

3.) Without Love   (Clyde McPhatter) - 4:20

4.) Midnight Getaway   (Jerry Garcia - Robert Hunter - John Kahn) - 7:46

(side 2)

1.) Leave the Little Girl Alone   (Jerry Garcia - John Kahn) - 3;33

2.) Valerie   (Jerry Garcia - John Kahn) - 5:19

3.) Knockin' On Heaven's Door   (Bob Dylan) -

 

 

Back to Bad Cat homepage/search