Customer Reviews

Love Will See You Through

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Living in San Francisco, I have a tendency to become 'annoyed' at people who think that any time a member of the Grateful Dead creates or interprets GD music that they are 'not as good as the real thing' or 'no comparison to Jerry.' This CD captures what Phil Lesh has set out to do with his 'Friends' gigs. He brings together outstanding musicians who have been influenced by the Dead (who hasn't?), and attempts to walk through the doors that the GD opened for 30 years. Seeing Phil and Friends play the Greek in Berkeley or the Warfield (both homes of infamous Dead shows)does bring the magic of the Dead back like no other scene is capable. This CD captures moments from two nights at the Warfield in the summer of 99'. Three bay area legends are highlighted on this collection, with Phil in usual, excellent form, Jorma Kaukonen(Hot Tuna, Jefferson Airplane), and Steve Kimock (Zero, KVHW, and the Other Ones). CD 1 highlights include FOTD (Jorma still does this better than Jerry!), a scorching Mr. Charlie, and a nice Franklins to close. I will say that Phil's vocals on Broken Arrow are terrible. CD 2 is all Jorma and Kimock. The guitar work on this CD is in one word-beautiful. Kimock knows when to take his lead, and how to compliment fellow musicians and Jorma can always fire off perfectly arranged notes. Both offer this on CD 2. While the Mashed Potato Jam lacks direction, Kimock is a master of making us float in space awaiting this direction. This may be the last released Phil recording with his former right hand man Kimock (they parted ways mid-Dylan tour), but we can expect many more excellent musicians to interpret the spirit that created Dead. Thanks for what you are doing, Phil!

This is my favorite post Jerry Dead related offering, at least as far as commercial releases go. Phil, Steve Kimock, and Jorma, you just can't go wrong with that combo. There are some very uplifting musical moments here. Unless you're a big fan of Jorma you probably won't find the vocals to be very inspiring but to my ears they are not a distraction. The music here is good on its own merits but if you're expecting to hear the Grateful Dead, you might want to look elsewhere.

I don't think anyone should fault this band -- or any of the other incarnations of Phil and Friends -- for not sounding like GD. I think Phil's orginal intention was to keep this music alive by dropping it in the middle of different groups of players, just to see how it came out. There's no question that this version of the Friends has a lighter touch than the current one -- and that's not a question of good or bad, just different. This lineup -- with Jorma's vocals and Kimock's shimmering leads -- is absolutely the right one for tunes like "Good Shepard." And it does an outstanding job of interpreting (not re-creating) the GD tunes Phil chose to include.
The point, I think, was to use these tunes as a place to start. From there, the musicians choose the way. It doesn't sound like GD because of the people involved, just like these Friends don't sound like the current band does. That's the best endorsement of any version of Phil and Friends, live or on this release -- a bunch of talanted, like-minded musicians working over the good stuff. Big fun.

Take a twirl with this surprisingly good collection of Grateful Dead classics and a few "bonus" Airplane/Hot Tuna tunes done in a truly interpretative style. With Jorma Kaukonen's (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna) basic blues voice filling in for our man Jerry; it's a bit of a stretch sometimes, but Jorma's soaring guitar licks counterpoint the strong guitar work of Jerry-understudy Steve Kimock (Other Ones). Phil, the six string bass guru and the two back-up female singers - Zoe Ellis and Caitlin Cornwell provide a very able and tantalizing vocal harmony mix on all other Dead material. Pete Sears weaves his usual keyboard magic/ solid fill along with the steady rhythm work of Prairie Prince on drums. Pete and Phil definitely "clicked" here; just listen to the spiraling lines in "Dancin' in the Street" Wow! Great music! And there's lots of it on this two CD set. Fourteen songs in all; from a rousing bluesy "Big Boss Man" to a sensitive interpretation of "Good Shepherd" all the way to a very spirited "Franklin's Tower" with Phil leading a virtual vocal "charge" right into a dueling guitar solo interchange between Jorma and Steve. And you have to check out "St. Stephen's" for a nice long instrumental ride that will put a smile on your face!

While this CD recorded live in various Bay area venues lacks some of the electricity and chops of the "now on the road version of Phil & Friends" , touring along with Bob Dylan, it more than makes up with a great collection of GD songs reflecting close to a twenty year stretch of that jam band we all loved. Definitely worthwhile.

Sidenote: Phil & Friends recently dropped into Champaign IL (just down the road from Peoria) and featured John Molo (Bruce Hornsby & The Range, Other Ones) rather than Prairie Prince on drums and Bill Payne (Little Feat keyboardist and Hammond B3 artist extraordinaire) instead of Pete Sears (Hot Tuna). We can only hope Phil puts together Vol. 2 soon based off this current touring band configuration, as they put together one of the hottest sets I've heard in a bit! (We - however - still miss you Jerry!)

First off, I have to say that I'm looking forward to the
upcoming studio debut of Phil and Friends--NOT the same
lineup of P+F featured on this live album. Personally, I'd
rather listen to The Strange Remain by The Other Ones (a release
which also features Phil, and sounds more like the GD than this
does), but what's offered here makes for some worthy listening.

I always liked Phil, particularly "Unbroken Chain", which contrary to what one reviewer posted here, DID get played live by
the GD on the Spring and Summer tours in 1995--their two last tours ever. Having personally witnessed two performances of the "Chain" on 3/23/95 in Charlotte and then in April in Tampa, FL, I can tell you it did happen. And I have the tapes to prove it, too. :)

What I'm not sure of, with respect to this release, is Phil's ability to sustain a listener's interest vocally over the course of an entire album. He's the only lead vocalist here, and it makes for a bit of monotony after awhile. But if you don't mind Phil and only Phil on the vox, then give it a shot. It may just be your stick of licorice..

--Clay

Living in San Francisco, I have a tendency to become 'annoyed' at people who think that any time a member of the Grateful Dead creates or interprets GD music that they are 'not as good as the real thing' or 'no comparison to Jerry.' This CD captures what Phil Lesh has set out to do with his 'Friends' gigs. He brings together outstanding musicians who have been influenced by the Dead (who hasn't?), and attempts to walk through the doors that the GD opened for 30 years. Seeing Phil and Friends play the Greek in Berkeley or the Warfield (both homes of infamous Dead shows)does bring the magic of the Dead back like no other scene is capable. This CD captures moments from two nights at the Warfield in the summer of 99'. Three bay area legends are highlighted on this collection, with Phil in usual, excellent form, Jorma Kaukonen(Hot Tuna, Jefferson Airplane), and Steve Kimock (Zero, KVHW, and the Other Ones). CD 1 highlights include FOTD (Jorma still does this better than Jerry!), a scorching Mr. Charlie, and a nice Franklins to close. I will say that Phil's vocals on Broken Arrow are terrible. CD 2 is all Jorma and Kimock. The guitar work on this CD is in one word-beautiful. Kimock knows when to take his lead, and how to compliment fellow musicians and Jorma can always fire off perfectly arranged notes. Both offer this on CD 2. While the Mashed Potato Jam lacks direction, Kimock is a master of making us float in space awaiting this direction. This may be the last released Phil recording with his former right hand man Kimock (they parted ways mid-Dylan tour), but we can expect many more excellent musicians to interpret the spirit that created Dead. Thanks for what you are doing, Phil!

Definately worth the listen. Phil give new life to many favorites with knack for establishing new grooves for others to build on musicly. Hearing the inventiveness of Phil's `friends' is what the dead were about--endless variations on themes.

I would like to point out Mr. Mr Charlie's review isn't representive of deadheads. He said the first that the 1st likable Dead song he ever heard (presumably live) was "Unbroken Chain", something they never played play to an audience and only as a sound check weeks before Jerry's death.

Pretty much brings his whole critism under suspect, doesn't it? Just let phil do the music he wants to do, the music he knows best.

There is a lot of great new music being written by a lot of wonderful young bands, but this CD is original, authentic and expands your consciousness and your heart at the same time. There is nothing copy-cat about it. The guest musicians are awesome.It really does go "further". It is more than just a Grateful Dead tribute, it is the real thing.

I bought this CD when it first came out, and I probably would have given it three stars. I listened to it a few times, and put it away. For some reason, I pulled it out this weekend and gave it a whirl. And wondered why I didn't like it more when it came out. Now, four, maybe four and a half stars. Why not five? Too much star inflation sometimes... But anyway, the CD has definitely grown on me the more I listen to it.

On one hand, I like the fact that he didn't just give the expected setlist, "Unbroken Chain," "Box of Rain," and other, Phil penned songs. But on the other hand, write more! More originals! Don't just keep retreading the same ground. That being said, he does some good things with some older songs, especially ones that haven't been done live in awhile. The jamming is fresh and goes in unexpected places. The 17 minute Franklin's just flied by. Phil wisely lets others sing lead on most of the songs. I don't mind Phil's voice, but a little Phil goes a long way. And, I like the fact he spotlights the other members, so it is not just all Dead and Dead related songs.

I think it's a worthwhile purchase. Maybe not the best of the Phil and Friends line-ups, but darn entertaining.

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" I would obviously have a strong interest in any recording that Jorma is represented.

The music is enjoyable and I wish it never stopped. Love Will See You Through should not be compared to the Grateful Dead or Jerry but rated as what transpired when Phil and Jorma played together. The results gave us the diversity from "Dancing In The Street" to "Big Boss Man", and "Good Shepherd" to "St. Stephen." Speaking of "Good Shepherd" you get to hear a different arrangement of the tune. Jorma has made it a calling card since the Airplane days and now somebody else (Phil) got to pick the construction of the tune.

Often when you look at a double CD you get the feeling there will be fill and it could easily have been a single disc. Phil & Friends created a new problem. You'll look at it and wish it were a triple! The music is that fine.

Be well always,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"