Audio CD review:
Jerry Garcia - Cats Under the Stars

Jerry Garcia - Cats Under the Stars

Band: Jerry Garcia Title: Cats Under the Stars Rating: Release Date: 1990-10-25 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Rubin and Cherise - Jerry Garcia, Garcia, Jerry 2: Love in the Afternoon - Jerry Garcia, Kahn, John 3: Palm Sunday - Jerry Garcia, Garcia, Jerry 4: Cats Under the Stars - Jerry Garcia, Garcia, Jerry 5: Rhapsody in Red - Jerry Garcia, Kahn, John 6: Rain - Jerry Garcia, Gidchaux, Donna 7: Down Home - Jerry Garcia, Kahn, John 8: Gomorrah - Jerry Garcia, Garcia, Jerry

Rubin, Cherise, and all should own this one from Jerry One of the many musical delights from "Cats Under The Stars" was the ability to please numerous record buyers that were not in any way "Dead Heads," in fact even a dollar for every person I played "Rubin And Cherise" for that couldn't find an excuse to not be engrossed by the song would have given me the riches of a king. As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various recordings from the 60's and 70's. Jerry's guitar and Merl Saunders keyboards are in unison. They complement each other and aren't' in competition. Keith and Donna are part of the festivities as well. One name that shouldn't be forgotten is Mary Clayton. Mary's resume is the length of 5 star Beatles tunes. She worked with everyone from Elvis (The King not Costello) to the Supremes to the Rolling Stones. When Jerry wanted a female voice that could handle rock, rhythm and blues, and every other piece of the musical pie her name catapulted to the front of the line. "Rubin And Cherise" is a perfect opening track. The words and the music are of equal strength and desire. The title cut and the rocking "Rhapsody In Red" are my pick for the gold, silver, and bronze. The eight songs are all originals, Robert Hunter contributed to six, and John Kahn helped pen three. If the vinyl edition has accumulated a multitude of pops and clicks here is a perfect opportunity to replace it. If you are looking to have a Jerry Garcia solo record represented in the CD rack you found a terrific choice. Enjoy the music and be well, Craig Fenton Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" . Lovely JGB Album The only reason I give it only four stars is because it is a relatively short album , and when it's over you just want to play it again . "Cats" is a great , great album , especially for the Dead Heads. Donna Godshaux shines on this record , she was great in the studio ,when the rest of the Dead felt out of place . You will love this record , quintessential sweet American music given to us by that smiling gunslinger , Mr. Garcia. Grateful Dead-member's best album The record has a very good puruading rhythm from the first sweet tunes of Rubin and Cheris onto the last piece of the album. Still a member of the legendary Grateful Dead, Gerry Garcia and his band released his "Cats Under The Stars". Personally I could have done without the Rhapsody in Red if one were to point out any minus with this record. If you like the Grateful Dead Album "Terrapin Station"('77) you're bound to dig this one as well. And If you don't know Terrapin Station either, you have two good albums to hunt. One of the best JGB albums going... More folksy than bluesy, it's a nice listen from the very first song - Rueben and Cherise, through Palm Sunday and the title cut. "Cats Under the Stars" is one of the best JGB albums out - w/o a doubt my personal favorite. The only fault I have with this album is that it's not long enough - at 35 minutes, I'm ready for more in the same vein. Highly recommended. You can see a complete list of all Jerry Garcia discography, or go back to the Jerry Garcia tabs