Remembering Jerry

The older I get the more I appreciate Jerry. I think when I really started appreciating him was when I started listening to the Deads live stuff. A perfect example is comparing the song "Dancing in the Street's" on "Teripin (sp?) Staion" and then listening to the same song on their live Cornell 1977 version. It sounds like two different bands and Jerry sounds totally absent in the studio version. On the live version you will hear a mesmerizing 12 minute long guitar solo that gives me goose bumps every time I hear it. Having all those live shows on recordings is a true musical treasure. What a treat it is to discover a live show and listening to a 12 minute Jerry jam that I've never heard before. I am also really getting into his bluegrass. i'm digging both the old stuff with "Old and In The Way" and his later stuff with "Grateful Dog." He left a great American musical legacy in the way he made Bluegrass cool. There is a wonderful swelling roots musical movement on college campuses today that is highly influenced by Jerry.

I will say it again....I miss him everyday and that signature guitar sound.....I feel that the musical world has not been the same since 1995....it's different now....the musical values have changed.....he made music matter....instead of a generation where music is only an avenue to something else.....

Sorry, but Jerry needed to grow up and use his brain. To be a drug addict into your mid 50s? Stupid. I also think his music was primarily 'noodling' along on his guitar, although I do like his stuff with people like Dave Grusin, etc.

Tomryan.....you might want to check out his guitar ''noodling'' with David Grisman instead ! : ) And yes, Mr. Garcia also loved jazz as does ''Dave Grusin'' You can listen to his noodling with jazz greats like Ornette Coleman and Howard Wales just to name a few..... Jazz as well as blue grass were greatly appreciated by Mr. Garcia.....

I'll not defend Jerry's drug habits. Other band members tried and failed to get Jerry right. It took Phil a liver transplant to chill out. Jerry's genius was in the feeling he put into his music. When I listen to Wharf Rat (Jerry's stated that this was the saddest song for him to sing) , the feeling projected is so deep it makes me wanna cry. He wasn't the best singer, but his voice was beautiful and instantly recognizable. He was clearly the leader and took on more diverse side projects than the rest of the band in spite of the demons that killed him. He was of the 60's and remained true to that spirit. It was an end that suited him. That we had him as long as we did (Pigpen was gone at 27) is amazing and something to be Grateful for forever.