Customer Reviews

Shining Star

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is just an absolutely amazing collection of songs that Jerry performed with his other band -- the Jerry Garcia Band. The music on these two discs are full of soul, especially Jerry's singing and playing. It's been described that attending a Jerry Garcia Band concert was a little like being at church. Listening to the music from this collection of songs (spanning the years 1989-1993), helps me remember just exactly how talented and inspiring the man could be, even in the latter days of his life.

If you've forgotten (or would like to remember) the joys that Jerry Garcia and his music can bring into your life, then pick up this release. You won't regret it. There's not a bad tune on this collection. My current favorite is "Ain't No Bread in the Breadbox."

My only complaint is the horrific cover. I personally don't feel that this is a pleasing picture of Jerry.

Thankfully, the music still exists -- and thanks to the fine work of David Lemieux, Jeffrey Norman, John Cutler, Deborah Koons Garcia, et. al -- we can still remember just what a "shining star" Jerry really was/is.

I like this CD, but `The Maker' is beyond phenomenal. It's one of the best recordings I've heard of Jerry. I'd equate with Visions of Johanna on Phil Zone, Morning Dew on Europe '72, or some of the songs in the live Warfield Garcia-Grissman '91 - '92 shows. For `The Maker' alone, it's an absolute must have. But overall I like the whole thing.

Being the second live double CD released within a single month, this recording represents a true windfall for Dead and JGB fans alike. The soaring title track shimmers with intensity, with Jerry's typically understated vocal delivery and textured guitar stylings providing a glowing counterpoint to his gospel influenced back-up singers. Disc One finds Jerry delivering expansive versions of tunes one would normally not expect including an excellent rendition of Van Morrison's offbeat 1967 release, "You Ain't Got None," a superlative version of the 70's R&B hit "Second That Emotion" and Jimmy Cliff's reggae tour de force "Struggling Man." Disc Two explodes out of the gate with the Stones classic "Let's Spend the Night Together", and meanders through thoughtful versions of "Positively 4th Street" and "Midnight Moonlight" along with the unexpected gem "Ain't No Bread in the Breadbox." Fans of the JGB Live 1993 release will find this to be technically on par though perhaps without much of the emotional resonance found in that landmark recording. Knowing the well documented personal turmoil He was experiencing at the time, makes this effort all the more incredible and makes an indelible impression on the mind that lingers long after the final notes dissipate into the ether...

Two Jerry albums in 2 months? After being utterly blwon away by the sheer power of the first album, Don't Let Go, I wasn't sure what to expect with this second album from later-era Jerry Garcia band. Once again, I was blown away. Although I have several dozen live Jerry tapes from this era, this album contains some truly incredible versions of some incredible songs. After my first listen, Mississippi Moon, Let It Rock, Strugglin' Man and Positively 4th St. jumped out and bit me, and on subsequent listens EVERY song proved to me to be a winner. Good choices here. Great songs, great fun, and several moments of tears-to-your-eyes memories (The Maker in particular). Let's hope that these two wonderful albums are not the last. The quality of these two disparate recordings bodes well for the future of us Jerry-heads' insatiable musical appetites for Jerry's non-GD music. Hooray.

I'm baffled by the amount of people who don't like this CD. I think the sound quality is great, the musicianship superb and Jerry is singing his heart out. Having just come back from Terrapin Station Reunion, I bought this CD because I really, really missed Jerry. Don't get me wrong - The Other Ones were great - best Dead cover band I ever saw - but Jerry was missed.
So I bought this CD and when the first song came on I realized what Jerry brought - Rolling Thunder, a Tidal Wave of Sound, Crushing emotional playing - the true Wall of Sound. This is all evident on this CD - a past reviewer is right: Play it loud.
I love the Dead very much, and I am a musician, so I have pretty sensitive ears - and this CD is definately sweet music to them.
The others who diss this CD are puritans it seems, but besides the goofy cover art this music is gold. A How Sweet it Is Pt. II kind of CD.

If you loved the first two CD sets of the Jerry Garcia Band, you must have this set! This will complete the basic repotoire of the latest JGB. The title cut, The Maker, He Ain't Give You None are just a few of the many fine gems you'll find. Get it now!! Get your Jerry fix. Lots of Mel and those stupendous back-up singers- ZOWIE!

Five words: "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love." I could go on about the hilights of this release for me, but music is a subjective experience, so everyone should find what they like best about this album. For me, it was the Everybody Needs Somebody To Love. Jerry's ending vocal improvisation is astounding. It is rare on official releases to hear Jerry emote like this. Wow! Incredible. Worth the price of admission. Jim Logan

What a TERRIFIC addition to the Jerry catalog. Jerry heads: we are a lucky bunch to see such great stuff emerge from Jerry's archive. Buy this one for the incredible covers of 15 songs, including (my favorites) Struggling Man, Russian Lullaby, Hunter Gets Captured by the Game (finaly!) and Positively 4th street. I love this album. Wonderful driving music. Play it loud, though. Ron A.

Clearly, the Amazon review is right on in the respect that this album seeks to pick up some of the "loose ends" of songs not picked up by other JGB releases of 1990's vintage.

Still, even for the unfamilar, this album demonstates the critical element of a Jerry Garcia Band performance -- the phenomenon of taking a whole variety of material from pop rock to Motown to Soul and wrapping it all together with the Jerry Garcia signature.

While this might sound trite, I think the performance of Let's Spend the Night Together, while not the outstanding track on the album, is a wonderful case in point. Garcia transforms the classic Stones tune of youthful, male seduction into a song of longing, loneliness and unrequited love. In the process, he puts a standard pop song into his slingshot and sends it to Jupiter.

Really extraordinary stuff.

Bart

I would have to agree with all of the highly positive reviews included here. While not typically a fan of 90's era GD and Garcia material, this collection ranks right up there with the other Garica Band releases as one of my favorites. The mix of tunes seems to be more varied than previous releases, but it comes together nicely as a whole. I always enjoy Jerry's treatment of Dylan tunes and his covers of more popular songs (Second That Emotion); however, for GD and Jerry fans the real magic exists in the more obscure tunes like The Maker. While Jerry's playing tended to be spotty in the 90's, this disc is a testament to just how "on" his playing could be in the later stages of his career. I sincerely hope that Garcia's estate will continue to treat fans to more of the same.