Shady Grove

David Grisman, Jerry Garcia

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 15, 1996)
• Original Release Date: October 29, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Acoustic Disc
• ASIN: B00000391J
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8,019 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Throughout his life, Jerry Garcia had an abiding fondness for the banjo, bluegrass, and roots-folk music. It not only helped shape the Grateful Dead's vast repertoire, but also led him on various musical excursions outside of the Dead. One of his most consistent collaborators in his extra-Dead adventures was "newgrass" mandolin master and bandleader David Grisman. The two of them formed the nucleus of the short-lived but influential bluegrass ensemble Old & In the Way in the early 1970s. These 13 delightful folk songs were culled from numerous laid-back Garcia-Grisman sessions that took place in Grisman's studio between 1990 and 1995, often joined by Joe Craven on fiddle and percussion and Jim Kerwin on bass. Garcia and Grisman pulled these songs--some of them quite obscure--from a variety of American eras and genres. Included is a vivid rendition of Mississippi John Hurt's "Louis Collins," as well as folk odes like "Casey Jones," "Whiskey in the Jar," and "The Handsome Cabin Boy." Throughout, the resulting music is mellow and evocative, likely to appeal to both neo-folkies and open-minded Deadheads. --Bob Allen

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sublime Garcia!, August 6, 2000

By	James Otterstrom (Big Bear City, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The last time I saw Jerry Garcia perform was in Golden Gate Park in the '60s & 'Pigpen' was still at the keyboard, so I admit to being a slacker of a 'Deadhead', but in my defense I always kept a few essential Grateful Dead albums in my collection, 'Workingman's Dead', 'American Beauty', etc. As the '60s faded, the drugs and psychedelia and 'happenings' wore thin for me, but what continued to interest me was Jerry's work outside the Dead, especially with Grisman, 'Old & In The Way' for example, and the wonderful 'Devout Catalyst' with Ken Nordine of 'Word Jazz' fame was awesome. So, I thought I was primed for 'Shady Grove' when it came out, but I wasn't. Shady Grove is the essence of Jerry Garcia, it's the root of his many-branched tree, the place he came from and never left, a clear pool from which his creativity sprang. His mastery of folk music goes beyond words like authentic, this recording is just plain old real! Until I heard 'Shady Grove' I had no idea what the world lost with Jerry Garcia's passing.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Labor of Love ..., February 24, 2002

By	David J. Roche "bcdroche" (Abingdon,, Virginia United States) - See all my reviews

As I work my way through various Grisman & Garcia collabarations I continue to be astounded & elated. I am particularly taken w/this disc. It is as much a celebration of their musical powress as their friendship. This disc is the first of several volumes arranged by Grisman according to genre. These are traditional folk songs & ballads. Grisman is releasing them to showcase Garcia's musical depth & breadth. The same could be said of Grisman's artistry.Many of the songs here I heard for the first time but definitely not the last. The accompaning booklet is lovingly crafted. The history of each song is presented as are the lyrics. Grisman's & Garcia's friendship allow us to connect to a simpler & purer time that is very much a part of our legacy. As always the Acoustic Disc quality has to be heard to be fully appreciated.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GENIUS, June 30, 1999

By A Customer

This album is superb, from the opening title track to the surprise, unlisted piece at the end. Almost any one of the songs would by itself, in fact, justify buying the whole album. Many fans of the Grateful Dead will see a side of Jerry Garcia that they probably never knew about, and anyone who has even an iota of interest in traditional American and English music will see what real "folk" talent -- as opposed to the mountains of mediocrity and posing that came out of the sixties and seventies -- is really about. Like the music fan from Iowa, I found this to be an album that I can enjoy with my father, which is not surprising, because the music is truly timeless, as well as priceless. One can only lament the terrible loss that two entire musical traditions suffered when Jerry died, and hope that David Grisman has more of these beautiful recordings to offer his and Jerry's growing legion of fans.