Customer Reviews

Might As Well: Persuasions Sing Grateful Dead

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Recently sang the praises of The Persuasions' "Frankly A Cappella" tribute to Zappa, which I just discovered. (A fall-down funny, foot-stomping masterpiece!) Turned around and found these a cappella guys had made a sharp 180 and done the Grateful Dead. (God, what would Frank say?) It seems the group kicked back and just sang with their hearts on this one. The songs are mostly soft and pretty. The bass guy, Jimmy, sings "Ship of Fools" with the Grateful Dead keyboard player on piano, and it's a show-stopper. The notes say that Jerry Garcia wished someone would come along and sing the band's songs better. I think he got his wish. The harmonies are soulful and Jerry Lawson is at the top of his game. I think people who don't particularly like the Dead will be surprised---I mean,"Black Muddy River" and "Lazy River Road" really put a tear in the old eye. And "It Must Have Been The Roses" must be as sweet a tune as anyone has sung in many a year. These are some heavy lyrics and gorgeous melodies. What are they gonna sing next? Jimi?

Absolutely moves your soul, this CD. The Persuasions' unbelievable singing talent really showcases the song-writing talent of the Grateful Dead -- not only serious lyrical prowess, but musical structure and the rest of the music writing package. The classic saying was "The Grateful Dead aren't the best at what they do, they're the only ones to do what they do!" The Persuasions, however, do the one thing the Grateful Dead never did do all that well -- they can really sing! For deadheads, the Dead sang "well enough" and the rest was nothing short of pure magic. But the Persuasions' reinterpretation of this wide range of Grateful Dead classics is nothing short of a different kind of magic -- downright spiritual in feeling, with a full spectrum of "sounds" from do-wop to sort of a 50s thing to a swing-low sound to a tad rockin' feel. Mary Schmary's vocals add a nice balance to the guys in the Persuasions.

Title cut of Might As Well really bops and weaves. Lazy River Road lulls while it tugs at your heartstrings. Probably the least-mellow Ripple I've ever heard. Liberty is a song that I finally "gave a chance" with this album, and it has a lot to say really, plus sounds fun. He's Gone was even actually fun, which is quite a thing to do to that song. Roses is simply beautiful. There's even a little friendly ribbing of Bobby on One More Sat. Nite. Bid You Goodnight is a tad fast, but uplifting that way. Black Muddy River is just a classic closer. This is a must have for every Deadhead's collection, and a great thing to share with those who "never got it."

I have to admit that I thought the whole concept was a little strange and perhaps a bit hokey, but after I slipped this disc in for the first time I understood completely. There have been a whole slew of Grateful Dead tribute albums in the last few years -- each unique and of varying degrees of quality. The David Gan's produced album, "Stolen Roses" had a rather ecclectic group of artists trying their hand at Grateful Dead tunes -- and while most of these attempts fall short (some of them are downright poor), the Persuasions's "Black Muddy River" is amazing. Apparently, it was this song that ( rightfully) got the Persuasions their own album of Grateful Dead tunes.

David Gans and Robert Hunter helped create a list of over 30 songs they thought the Persuasions should record. Of these 30, 15 were released. The songs span the entire career of the Grateful Dead. From "Lazy River Road" to "Here Comes Sunshine", the Persuasions give excellent performances and really capture the soul of the Grateful Dead. "Ship of Fools" features the groups bass, Jimmy Hayes, singing solo, accompanied by former Dead keyboardist, Vince Welnick. "Brokedown Palace" features Peter Rowan (Old And In The Way) trading verses with Jerry Lawson and "One More Saturday Night" features the amazing mouth-drumming of Andrew Chaikin.

This treatment of Dead songs brings the tunes away from the jams, away from Garcia's wavery voice and away from most of the instrumentation that we all know and leave only the bare song. The naked genius of the Garcia/Hunter tunes almost overpowering and the Persuasions attack them with blinding soul. It's respectful look at the amazing work of the Grateful Dead.

In my opinion, it's the best of the Grateful Dead Tribute albums (although Dedicated is a close second) and it maintains a sense of continuity since the Persuasions do the whole album instead of a whole mess of artists.

The Persuasions, a group of soulful black singers, take some of the songs of the Grateful Dead and perform them with no musical instruments. The concept is interesting; the final product is fantastic! The album is, to quote from the Grateful Dead Hour, "a truly spiritual experience." It's tough to pick a favorite; from "It Must Have Been the Roses" to "Black Muddy River", The Persuasions do the Dead proud. If you liked the Dead's occasional "And We Bid You Goodnight" sans instruments, you will LOVE this CD.

Never believed that the Grateful Dead were singing anything substantial? Just a lot of trippy "Truckin'" type stuff? Listen to this CD and be amazed. Be very amazed. Here are, as with "Brokedown Palace," "Black Muddy River," "Ripple," songs as big and humbling as the Great Plains, as melodically riveting as Stephen Foster's tunes, as soulful as Mahalia Jackson. No kidding! Don't like a cappella music? Think it's a lot of cute harmonizing? Listen to this CD and be amazed. Be very amazed. After thirty seconds of listening to "Might as Well," or "He's Gone" or the beatific "Lazy River Road," you forget there's no band. The Persuasions, who have always been something special, have done something very special here.

All I have to say is that if you like to feel the music you listen to, buy this cd. The Persuations do an amazing job of vocalizing the amazing emotions felt in Grateful Dead music. They chose great songs to bring to life. I have seen them live twice and they have amazing energy. If you get nothing else from this review, remember this... buy this CD, you won't regret it.

Wow! That's the gist of the gamut of emotions that run through my body after listening to this heartfelt tribute to the Grateful Dead. All of us Deadheads have known that the lyrics and the harmonies the band created (along with lyricist Robert Hunter) were just as beautiful as the music they (the Dead, that is) had made. Now, the Persuasions have sung and interpreted these timeless songs as their own. Upon listening to the disc, one gets the impression that the spirit of Garcia, along with a genuine appreciation of music, has moved the singers to create such a beautiful piece of art.

I did not think that this would be a very good disc, at all. I bought it on a whim, and I am extremely glad that I had done so. It is, without a doubt, one of the most moving pieces of art that I have heard in quite a while. I think that Garcia must be beaming from ear to ear after hearing this one. The Persuasions' renditions of "Lazy River Road", "Ripple", and "Black Muddy River" are definitely worth the price of the disc. The rest is just as equally moving.

Play this disc for all of the critics who said that Garcia could not sing. This disc will show you just how well Garcia's phrasing and singing could inspire a group of musicians to interpret his songs.

Elegant. Understated. Surprising. Gentle. Exceedingly Soulful.

I've long felt that the songwriting team of Garcia and Hunter is strongly unappreciated. Because, let's face it, the Grateful Dead's music isn't the most popularly accessible, not everyone "gets it." Garcia's vioce also takes getting used to--great songwriters like Neil Young and Bob Dylan have similar problems.

But the fact is that some of those Grateful Dead songs are powerful, wonderful, and original. The Persuasions are a fabulous group, and really do justice to some great songs. Anyone who likes great music should like this. Definitely NOT for Deadheads only!

I have never been any kind of a Deadhead and I had never even heard of the Persuasions before a few months ago. but this record is so sweet and beautiful that it just blew me away.

Some of these are songs I didn't know, and others had penetrated even my non-Deadhead consciousness, but all of them are melodic and harmonious and a joy to listen to. I've already bought five copies of this CD to give as gifts to people that I love, ranging from a 21-year-old godson to friends in their 50s.

So please, save me a few bucks and buy your own.