Customer Reviews

Dark Star: The Music Of The Grateful Dead

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was the first actual jazz CD I ever bought. Initially, it was the Dead connection that convinced me to buy it, but what a band Murray put together! As someone who suffered through high school band, this CD is particularly entertaining. Murray and the other wind players break every rule I was taught (intentionally overblowing notes, for example). Shakedown and Samson are rather wild, Estimated Prophet sounds almost sinister, and China Doll and Dark Star are beautiful. The final track is a duet with the Dead's Bob Weir on guitar. I have never heard anyone play a sax like David Murray. He's one of the few people who can take an instrument and create a distinctive, instantly identifiable sound. After five years, I still haven't gotten tired of this. Play it often and LOUD.

Wigged at points, sad and insightful at others, jazz genius and long time friend of the Dead has created a jazz classic that dead fans should all Love!!! Special Guest appearence by Bob Wier. END

I would place this version of "Dead-as-jazz" higher than all the others that are out there but I don't think it's going to blow anyone away, or get too many repeated listentings over time. Compared to the derivative and ultimately uninspired jazz readings that JAZZ IS DEAD gives GRATEFUL DEAD songs this cd is fantastic, but that's only because JAZZ IS DEAD's cds are so dull.

The Dead got weirder, darker, and prettier than this, and so does DAVID MURRAY in his other other musical adventures so this really isn't a great example of either groups. Actually though, if David himself took more of the solos, this cd would be much better than it is. It's too bad that the best musician in this band lays out so much of the time.

If you want to hear "David do Dead", get yourself a copy of the Dead's 9/22/93 with his guest spot. His playing is inspired and he, Phil, and Bobby give stand-out late-years performances (beats anything on this cd), especially during ESTIMATED PROPHET, DARK STAR, SPACE, and WHARF RAT. Jerry's playing is off most of the night though so don't expect him to dazzle you in any way, beyond vocally on Wharf Rat.

These Jazz covers by The David Murray Octet are boring and are void of any emotion.They are professional and tight and certainly come up with different versions of the original.But different is not neccersarily better.They play with very little passion, something Dead music is all about.Murray him self is a talented player and may very well be a Dead Fan, but his Octet plays like they never heard a live Dead recording or have any interest in bringing some of the Dead essence to their music.
This album is interesting to hear for one passing,if your on a
budget bypass this album and get a real Dead album you always
wanted to buy and explore.Trust me your money will be better spent and enjoyed.Get a Dead album from early 1969 and hear some
Real Jazz Fussion and Improvising..