Fretplay.com Jerry Garcia CD reviews Jerry Garcia guitar tabs Jerry Garcia CD reviews Jerry Garcia tabs Run for the Roses


Jerry Garcia - Run for the Roses Audio CD

A fair review of the Jerry Garcia "Run for the Roses" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Jerry Garcia reviews here, or go back to the Jerry Garcia tabs.

Jerry Garcia Band: Jerry Garcia
Title: Run for the Roses
Rating:
Release Date: 2005-04-12
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Run for the Roses 2: I Saw Her Standing There 3: Without Love 4: Midnight Getaway 5: Leave the Little Girl Alone 6: Valerie 7: Knockin' On Heaven's Door 8: Fennario 9: Alabama Getaway 10: Tangled Up in Blue 11: Simple Twist of Fate 12: Dear Prudence 13: Valerie (Alternate Mix)

HERE LIZARD LIZARD LIZARD..............................................
Four tiger-striped champion dinosaurs (great 70's Garcia albums) racing and the one on the front cover (the sole 80's one) stopping to pose . . let's say a few words and admire this contestant's visage! There is a pile of something at the end of this rainbow (cover picture), it's not gold, but it smells more like roses than dinosaur dung.

This is the only Garcia solo album I never had, so I am coming at this interesting and nicely done remaster fresh, and by the way, the extras on here make it all the more worthwhile. To my ears as somewhat of a huge Deadhead for about 30 years, this is another great document of the life and times of Jerry Garcia first and foremost. Jerry was a wonderful and incredibly musical human being and exuded his love of music wherever he happened to be (I lovingly refer to him as Saint Jerry for the impact he has had on many of us). He had some ups and downs over the years, and this period would probably considered a bit of a low one. But nonetheless, he always seemed to be able to find interesting musical ideas to pursue and great musicians to play with (this group of friends are great for the songs here - Tutt & Kahn especially shine).

ALL ideas on here as an approach to creating an album are very interesting, some came out great (Run for the Roses, Midnight Getaway & Valerie are stand-outs. . . all Hunter involved songs. Leave that little Girl Alone, the other Hunter song, is pretty good and very upbeat and charming as well, although a bit lightweight). It can always be interesting hearing favorite musicians approach great cover tunes too, especially really big ones like Dylan's Knockin' on Heaven's Door and The Beatles I Saw Her Standing there. The result is split here for me, Knockin' being far more impressive than the disco/reggae-like version of Standing There. . . strange, very strange, but still funny and enjoyable (mostly just because Jerry is singing/playing it).

In comparison with earlier Garcia masterpieces like the far-out classic Garcia (1st solo album), the snappy and excellent Reflections and the Gospel influenced but inspired/beautiful Cats Under the Stars (even Compliments, which I need to re-listen to, is a bit better), this is the laggard in the race. Still, ANY Garcia album is a joy in comparison to much out there in the music world.

The extras on here are what take this one to the finish line - they are very nice selections (and all previously unissued)! Fennario is such a treat since it has aways been a favorite and a great version with some very bouncy guitar and bass (aka Peggy-o). Alabama Getaway is an excellent Dead tune and is very welcome here in this more intimate and less poppy version, almost unplugged sounding. Tangled Up in Blue, another Dylan cover, is a very upbeat (almost discoish again) and fun and done really nicely I would say in the classic Garcia snappy (Shakedown Street) style. Simple Twist of Fate. . . Dylan again. . . is very charming and it is clear to what high esteem Jerry considers these great songs. He is clearly having fun in his hang-doggy style with this stuff - and it is better than the original to me. Dear Prudence, Beatles again, is very interesting in a plodding, orchestrated (Chicago-like) approach with horns. Great song and cool track in my opinion (the horns are very pro sounding). The final alternate mix of Valerie is fun for comparison to the original. . . not all that different and one of the best on here.

You can often be a winner going with the perceived underdog in a race, the odds are high here and the pay-off is great. . . . . . . HERE LIZARD LIZARD LIZARD! Ride this doggy with pride. ENJOY! .


Run Jerry Run!
Those of you familiar with the many posthumous Jerry live cds that have come out lately will know most of these selections, but here they are overdubbed and polished a bit more -- the overall effect is something similar to Terrapin Station-sounding vocals and grooves, with almost-identical production. This is an excellent re-release of an underrated early 80s' Jerry solo album.

There are some real gems here: "Midnight Getaway" has some of Jerry's most heartfelt vocals and guitar work; the studio version of "Valerie" is a good-time winner, should have been a hit single; and his loose and joyous take on "I Saw Her Standing There" is a clear highlight.

While I usually detest the grafitti-like additions of bonus tracks to classic cds, this is a rare case of it actually improving the overall listening experience. In particular, the studio version included here of "Peggy-O," called "Fennario" on the cd, is truly special -- a classic Americana tale, classically told. While there are many versions of this song on various live Dead releases, I am partial to the careful, deliberate performance included here. Also a great version of "Dear Prudence" and "Tangled Up in Blue" and you've basically got one winner of an album.

"Reach for the stars/Smack into the sky/You don't want to live/but you're chicken to die. " We miss you Jerry.


You can see a complete list of all Jerry Garcia discography, or go back to the Jerry Garcia tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

Search guitar tabs

#ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
[ Search tabs | Guitar tabs | Bass tabs |
Easy guitar tabs | Guitar solo tabs |
Acoustic guitar tabs | Guitar chords |
How to read guitar tabs ]
Forum topics
Music forums
- Bands and artists - Songwriting and lyrics - Tablature talk - Promote your band
Instrument forums
- Guitar basics - Gear & accessories - Bass guitar
Community
- The pit - Site Feedback - Reviews
[ User survey | About us | Privacy statement ]