Customer Reviews

Searching for Jerry Garcia

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you were to take a look at the list of the most underrated Detroit emcees, one emcee who would be considerably close to the top of the list is Proof (a.k.a Derty Harry). Most people outside of the Detroit area should know who he is, if not as one half of the duo Promatic with fellow rapper Dogmatic, then as one sixth of D12, which also includes Kon Artis, Kuniva, Bizarre, Swifty McVeigh, and Eminem. Earlier in the year, it was announced every emcee in D12 would release a solo album, with Bizarre going first. Now, Proof finally releases his long awaited debut album, "Searching For Jerry Garcia", on his own label, Iron Fist Records. For those who don't know him, Jerry Garcia is a rock musician, known for various projects, but most famous as the guitarist and primary singer of the psychedelic rock band The Grateful Dead. Garcia's electric-guitar playing melded elements from the various kinds of music that had enthralled him, including bluegrass, early rock, contemporary blues, country/western, and jazz; his style varied somewhat according to the song or instrumental he was contributing to. Garcia died on August 9th, 1995, due to heart trouble. Released on the ten year anniversary of Garcia's death, the album deals with the concept of Proof's search for himself, which includes an introspective outlook on his life, as well as eclectic mix of styles and topics that could conform listeners from other genres, which is reminiscent of what Garcia himself would do.

The album contains exactly what you expect from Proof and MORE, such as braggadocio songs ("Clap Wit Me" and "Biboa's Theme"), dark humor songs ("M.A.D" and "Jump, Biatch"), songs about the things that go down on streets ("72nd and Central" and "Sammy Da Bull"), and commercially themed songs, such as club/pimp songs ("Girls Wit Da Boom", "Pimplikeness", "Purple Gang") and get high songs ("High Rollers"). However, Proof sounds the best when he paints a dark, introspective picture of his life, which is exactly what he does on "Forgive Me" and "Kurt Kobain". The second one, named after the lead singer of Nirvana who supposedly killed himself, is the album's best track. The dope production is based entirely around a sample of "Blue Sky and Silver Bird" by Lamont Dozier (which was also sampled by Atmosphere on "Woman with the Tattooed Hands"). As you could probably tell by the title, Proof is writing a suicide note, once again regretting his sins but now knowing it's too late to take them back. So, before he goes, he's sending his goodbyes to all the people he loves, including his fans, his parents, the other members of D12, and others. My personal favorite line in the whole song is when he reaches out to Eminem with his words of wisdom: "Don't let this money change us dawg!". The track ends with Proof shooting himself and then giving us his dying words, which sound like "Love... killed... me..." but honestly, its kinda hard to tell. This one can't be explained through words, you'd have to hear it on your own.

So what's the final verdict? From murder to encouraged suicide to drug use, "Searching for Jerry Garcia" is a dope album that finds a middle ground between underground Detroit sound and the mainstream radio sound. A lot of the subject matter wasn't anything new, but that doesn't make the album bad at all. While the first half did struggle a bit, with a four worthless skits and a few musical missteps (which included one God awful song, "Girls Wit Da Boom"), everything after "Pimplikeness" was outstanding. Unfortunately, I can't give this album a classic rating. I expected a lot from this album, and while it was an excellent effort and delivered in most aspects, it just barely misses classic status (I was seriously anticipating this to be album of the year). The one thing that disappointed me the most was that the original album concept was mostly scrapped. See, when Proof originally started this album, he was going to name each song on the album after an iconic person or place that he feels reflects the song's theme. Though he kept a few of those songs, such as "Kurt Kobain", "Sammy Da Bull" and "72 & Central" (named after the place where John Lennon was shot and killed), other reported songs, such as "Janis Joplin", "Ike Turner", and "Billie Holiday" are nowhere to be found. The album is dope as it is, but if he went through with the old plan completely, he was setting up for an immediate classic IMO. Still, when you get right down to it, Proof gives us a overly solid debut that's worthy of your purchase, as he builds a separate identity for himself away from D12 and gives us an album that is different and interesting enough to stand out from the rest of his peers.

My jaw hit the floor when I first heard Proof's solo debut. I never expected it to sound like this, and I love it. There was so much hype around Tony Yayo's first solo album and the re-release of 50's Sophomore album (the Collector's Edition with the DVD), that Proof and Bizarre got buried. I have to admit I didn't buy Bizarre's album because with the exception of "Rock Star," I wasn't thrilled with what I heard. However, I bought Proof's because I listened to samples on amazon.com and loved the sound. Somehow it's not as hard as I thought it would be-- coming out of Shady Records and following in the footsteps of G-Unit and all. Proof (for lack of better word) proves he has an emotional, intellectual, and pensive side with songs like "Forgive Me" and "Kurt Kobain." Like another reviewer before me, I was initially disappointed that Eminem didn't do a guest spot or even produce a track, but the CD stands up without him. Proof has lived as Em's hype man for so long, but this CD shows he can stand in the spotlight alone. More people need to check this one out!

For all you Hip-Hop fans who don't know the individual in the album's title, I'll give you a short biography of him. Jerry Garcia is a rock musician, known for various projects, but most famous as the guitarist and primary singer of the psychedelic rock band The Grateful Dead. Garcia's electric-guitar playing melded elements from the various kinds of music that had enthralled him, including bluegrass, early rock, contemporary blues, country/western, and jazz; his style varied somewhat according to the song or instrumental he was contributing to. Garcia died on August 9th, 1995, due to heart trouble. According to Proof, the reason he named the album after him is because Garcia's death was due to a combination of stress, drugs and poor diet, which are problems that everyone can relate to in one way or another. If you're expecting this album to sound like his work with D12, then you're in for a surprise. The album, released on the ten year anniversary of Garcia's death, deals with the concept of Proof's search for himself, which includes an introspective outlook on his life, as well as eclectic mix of styles and topics that could conform listeners from other genres, which is reminiscent of what Garcia himself would do. Though the album hasn't gotten as much hype as and Eminem record would get, "Searching For Jerry Garcia" has been greatly anticipated by many in the underground scene, including myself, as it sounded like it would be a groundbreaking record, not to mention it's release has been planned since 2002 (the original tentative release date was 2/18/03). They will be happy to know that he indeed delivers; this album is true to who Proof is and what he represents.

1. Knice (NOT RATED)
2. Clap Wit Me (4 1/2 Stars)
3. Biboa's Theme (5 Stars)
4. When God Calls (NOT RATED)
5. Forgive Me feat. 50 Cent (5 Stars)
6. Purple Gang feat. Killa Kaunn, Famous, and T Flame (3 1/2 Stars)
7. Nat Morris (NOT RATED)
8. Girls Wit Da Boom (1 1/2 Stars)
9. High Rollers feat. B-Real and Method Man (5 Stars)
10. Rondell Beene (NOT RATED)
11. Pimplikeness feat. D12 (4 Stars)
12. Ali feat MC Breed (5 Stars)
13. No. T. Lose feat King Gordy (5 Stars)
14. Jump Biatch (5 Stars)
15. Mom & Dad feat Rude Jude (5 Stars)
16. 72nd & Central feat. Obie Trice and J-Hill (5 Stars)
17. Sammy Da Bull feat. Nate Dogg and Swifty McVeigh (5 Stars)
18. Black Wrist Bro's feat. 1st Born (5 Stars)
19. Slum Elementz feat. Kon Artis, T-3 of Slum Village, and Mudd of 5 Ela (5 Stars)
20. Kurt Kobain (5 Stars)

R.I.P Derty Harry(Proof) We miss you

People, I have a question. What is wrong with us? Another rapper dead, and its all because of jelaous ass rappers who don't get their attention they want, so they shoot up rappers who do get attention. Why does it have to be like that? Being Eminem's best friend, and even the best man at Eminem's wedding in January, I can only sit back and fell the pain Eminem must be going through. Found dead this morning with a shot to the head, Proof will be a rapper never forgotten. Amazing lyrics and not afraid to speak his mind, we lost him. Now we are left with more rappers like "Dem Franchise Boyz"....well, fu$k that! I'm going to miss him, alot, and I am very upset about this. And nowing the dum a$$ cops, they are probaly never going to find his killer. Anyways, this album is amazing and should be tooken great care of.


RIP TO PROOF

This album is from a very talented M.C. that will always be remembered through his comedic and raw rhymes. Definately the best from the D-12 camp (a part from Eminem). Peace. RIP

Finally, after 3 years Proof gets to release his first solo album. The album was originally put on the back burner because all of the other D12 projects that were in progress. Proof gives praise to past legends such as Jerry Garcia(singer for Grateful Dead), Kurt Kobain(singer for Nirvana), and John Lennon(founder of the Beatles). He even gives a track dedicated to Purple Gang where Proof does not rap on.

Proof delivers on this album and doesn't disappoint except for a few tracks that I wasn't feelin. He uses nice complicating complex rhyme schemes on all the tracks. The choruses are good except for a few annoying ones such as the track 'Ali.' The guest appearances are nice, they include D12, 50 Cent, Obie Trice, Purple Gang, Method Man, B-Real, Rude Jude, and more... The production doesn't disappoint even though most of them have a heavy underground sound to them. A lot of different production on the album, Kon Artist gets one and it surprised me that Eminem and Dr. Dre didn't at least do one...that was sort of disappointing. My favorite tracks are "Black Wrist Bros," "Sammy Da Bull" and "Kurt Kobain."

The album has a few pointless skits that weren't really needed. Proof's voice can get extremely annoying some times when he raps. The album has a few fillers which to me brings an album down the most. You could have the greatest and biggest hit on that album but if there's fillers then that's gonna overshadow the album quality. I'm not a huge fan of underground music and this album displays a lot of the qualities underground music would have. It only has a few commercial tracks that would appeal to the kids.

I would only suggest this album to D12 fans, people who like underground music and most average rap fans. But if you're a huge fan of commercial and mainstream music then I wouldn't suggest getting this album. Go out and support Big Proof, buy the album. R.I.P. Big Proof 1973-2006...

RIP Proof... This man was a true battle rapper and a great asset to rap music. His presence will be missed and hip-hop is worse off today due to this tragic loss. This album will allow Proof's vision to remain alive long after this day has passed. Please cherish this album and the lyrics that Proof wanted to share with you.

This was a great album I bought the day it came out, Proof has a great talent and he didn't even nned to use dre or em to make a great c.d, but so many slept on him, now that hes dead everybody wants to go review proof. I guess the good die young. R.I.P. This is a great album, great lyrics, with some dope beats whats not to like for any hip hop fan. Anyone that thinks eminem is good, should pick this up, because back in the battling days who do you think was em's greatest challenge? Detroit stand tall, R.I.P. hopefully now proof can meet bugz again.

I recommend this album for anyone whos is a hip hop fan. This album is surprisingly good, so go get it. AND REST IN PEACE PROOF, you must be happy seeing Bugz again.

you know what, there is definitely no doubt in my mind that proof helps Em write a lot of Em's lyrics cuz if you listen to this album, you'll hear a lot of the same lyrically-genius compound-syllable rhymes that eminem uses all the time. he even got some common/jay-z lyrics in there like "I married the game, my mistress is fame." i say this is definitely a great album. too bad recognition of the best artists does not correlate with record sales..