Search - Jerry Garcia :: Run for the Roses

Run Jerry Run!

Todd and In Charge | Miami, FL | 09/26/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is an excellent re-release of an underrated early 80s' Jerry solo album. 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.



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."