Garcia: An American Life
Page 80
SELECTED GARCIA SESSIONS AND APPEARANCES ON OTHERS’ RECORDS
Jefferson Airplane: Surrealistic Pillow (1967, RCA).
Garcia plays electric guitar on “Today” and acoustic guitar on “Comin’ Back to Me,” “Plastic Fantastic Lover” and “My Best Friend.” JG’s role is definitely supportive rather than featured.
Jefferson Airplane: Volunteers (1969, RCA).
Garcia plays pedal steel guitar on “The Farm.”
Country Joe & The Fish: Live! Fillmore West 1969 (Released 1996, Vanguard).
Jerry, Steve Miller and Jorma Kaukonen trade licks on a big jam session called “Donovan’s Reef” recorded in January ’69. A lot of aimless noodling, but some good, intense moments, too.
Soundtrack: Zabriskie Point (1970, TCM/Rhino).
The original soundtrack album for this Michaelangelo Antonioni film included an excerpt from the Live Dead “Dark Star” and Jerry’s stark, haunting “Love Scene,” cut solo on electric guitar in January 1970. The 1997 two-CD version of the soundtrack contains those plus four complete takes Garcia improvised for the “Love Scene.” Fascinating.
Crosby, Stills & Nash: Deja Vu (1970, Atlantic).
Garcia plays the steel guitar break on “Teach Your Children.”
Paul Kantner & Jefferson Starship: Blows Against the Empire (1970, RCA). Kantner’s ambitious hippie sci-fi epic benefits greatly from Garcia’s electric guitar and pedal steel on several tracks. A personal favorite, but probably not everyone’s cup of psychedelic tea.
David Crosby: If I Could Only Remember My Name (1971, Atlantic).
Garcia is given a co-writer’s credit and plays electric guitar on “What Are Their Names” and contributes one of his prettiest steel lines to “Laughing.” A great, critically underrated album featuring many of the top players from the San Francisco/Marin music scene. Take a chance on it; you won’t be disappointed.
Graham Nash: Songs for Beginners (1971, Atlantic).
Jerry lends his pedal steel touch to “I Used to Be a King” and “Man in the Mirror.”
Paul Kantner and Grace Slick: Sunfighter (1971, RCA).
Garcia’s wiry guitar lines stand out on three tracks—“Million,” “Holding Together,” and “When I Was a Boy I Watched the Wolves.”
Bob Weir: Ace (1972, WB).
For my money, Weir never topped this first solo effort, which features the Grateful Dead (minus Pigpen) and a few other players backing him. The version of “Playing in the Band” is one of the best studio performances ever by the band. Garcia also excels on “Looks Like Rain” (where he plays steel), “Greatest Story Ever Told” and “Black Throated Wind.” A fine album that has held up well.
Graham Nash/David Crosby (1972, Atlantic).
Jerry plays hot lead guitar on “The Wall Song” and pedal steel on “Southbound Train.”
Mickey Hart: Rolling Thunder (1972, WB; CD: Relix).
Another Marin all-star affair, it naturally includes Garcia, who plays guitar on two tracks and is credited with “Insect Fear” (presumably some form of electronic processing) on a third. With so many great players on board, this should’ve been a better album than it is.
Merl Saunders and Friends: Fire Up+ (1971, ’73; released on CD in 1992; Fantasy). This combines two Saunders LPs—Heavy Turbulence and Fire Up— on a single CD. The band on most tracks is the Saunders-Garcia-Kahn-Vitt-Tom Fogerty lineup that was playing in Bay Area clubs in the early ’70s, with Garcia on guitar and occasional lead vocals. Jerry’s best work is on “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” and the old Doc Pomus tune “Lonely Avenue.” There’s also a moving instrumental version of John Lennon’s “Imagine.”
Paul Kantner, Grace Slick and David Freiberg: Baron von Tollbooth & The Chrome Nun (1973, RCA).
This record, which was not a bestseller when it came out, has been virtually forgotten. That’s a shame because it contains several good songs and strong performances from Garcia on “Walkin’” (lead guitar and banjo), the ultratrippy “Your Mind Has Left Your Body” (one of Jerry’s last pedal steel sessions), and “Sketches of China,” among others.
David Bromberg: Wanted Dead or Alive (1973, Columbia).
Garcia plays electric and acoustic guitar on this folk-country set by the talented singer-guitarist. Other Dead members also appear.
Merl Saunders & Friends: Keepers (1971–75 performances, released 1997, Fantasy). Merl goes into the Fantasy Records vaults and unearths a whole CD of previously unreleased gems, including nine tracks featuring Garcia in various group configurations. On “Mystery Train” and the bluesy take on “That’s All Right,” Jerry trades licks with Vassar Clements. Other highlights include fantastic live instrumental versions of Stevie Wonder’s “I Was Made to Love Her” and Hoagy Carmichael’s “Georgia on My Mind” by the 1973 Saunders-Garcia-Kahn-Vitt lineup, and a long, spacey 1974 studio jam called “Bolinas Brown,” which also features Martin Fierro on saxophone.
Robert Hunter: Tales of the Great Rum Runners (1974, Round; CD: Ryko).
Hunter’s rough but spirited first solo LP features Garcia’s lead guitar on two cuts, “Standing at Your Door” and “Keys to the Rain.” Jerry also mixed the record. Worth owning, if not for Garcia’s contributions particularly.
Keith and Donna Godchaux: Keith and Donna (1975, Round).
Jerry plays lead guitar throughout and also harmonizes effectively with Keith and Donna on the gospel song “Who Was John?” Spotty, but with some fine moments.
Robert Hunter: Tiger Rose (1975, Round; CD: Ryko).
Garcia is on every track, contributing electric and acoustic guitars, pedal steel, synthesizer and occasional background vocals. He also produced and arranged the record.
Ned Lagin: Seastones (1975, Round; CD: Ryko).
Garcia’s voice and electric guitar appear in heavily processed, nearly unrecognizable form on this odd electronic album.
Diga Rhythm Band: Diga (1976, Round; CD: Ryko).
This wonderful, high-spirited percussion extravaganza features Garcia on two cuts: “Razooli” and the proto-”Fire on the Mountain” track “Happiness Is Drumming.” One of the my favorite projects to come out of the Dead family.
Robert Hunter: Liberty (1988, Relix).
Garcia is all over this winsome effort by his songwriting partner. The title track is Hunter’s version of the tune the Dead later played. An underrated album.
Ornette Coleman: Virgin Beauty (1988, Portrait).
Three tracks feature Garcia: “Three Wishes,” “Singing in the Shower” and “Desert Players.” This is dense, complex music but it’s still accessible.
Pete Sears: Watchfire (1988, Redwood; CD: GDM).
There’s lots of starpower on this politically conscious disc by the former Starship keyboardist. Garcia is on three cuts: “Let the Dove Fly Free,” “Nothing Personal” and “One More Innocent.”
Merl Saunders: Blues From the Rainforest (1990, Sumertone).
Jerry and Merl reunited for this exotic New Age instrumental album. Garcia plays electric, acoustic and MIDI guitar. Nice melodies and textures.
Bruce Hornsby: A Night on the Town (1990, RCA).
Garcia has a blazing lead on the radio hit “Across the River” and also appears on “Barren Ground.” One of Hornsby’s best records.
Country Joe McDonald: Superstitious Blues (1991, Ragbaby/Ryko).
Garcia plays acoustic lead guitar on four songs. A fifth tune from the same session with Garcia came out on Joe’s Carry On, released in 1996.
Ken Nordine: Devout Catalyst (1992, GDR).
The word jazz pioneer returns with a stimulating album of Beat-ish thoughts/ poems/tales, backed by an acoustic group featuring Garcia, Grisman and others. Some wild, improvised music that fits Nordine’s mind-bending words perfectly.
Bruce Hornsby: Harbor Lights (1993, RCA).
Jerry helps out his buddy on “Pastures of Plenty” and “Passing Through.” Another strong effort.
Rob Wasserman: Trios (1994, GRP).
Soundtrack: Smoke (1995, Hollywood).
The JGB perform “Cigarettes and Coffee” and “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes.” Not their best work.
Bruce Hornsby: Hot House (1995, RCA).
Jerry cranks it up one more time on “Cruise Control.”
Sanjay Mishra: Blue Incantation (1995, Raindog).
Garcia appears on three tracks of this pleasant instrumental CD by the Indian guitarist.
Second Sight (1996, Shanachie).
Two compositions on this all-instrumental album feature Garcia on lead guitar: “Dangerous Dream” and “Rosetta Rock.” Among the players in this exciting fusion group are Bob Bralove and Henry Kaiser.
Various Artists: Live on Letterman: Music from The Late Show (1997, Reprise).
Garcia and Grisman’s spry, abbreviated version of “Friend of the Devil” from ’93 kicks off this fine anthology of performances from the late night television program.
Various Artists: The Songs of Jimmie Rodgers: A Tribute (1997, Columbia).
Garcia’s final recording session, just weeks before his death in 1995, finds him fronting David Grisman, John Kahn, Sally Van Meter and George Marsh on a version of “Blue Yodel #9.” Garcia sounds shaky but soulful.
INDEX
The page numbers in this index refer to the printed version of this book. To find the corresponding locations in the text of this digital version, please use the “search” function on your e-reader. Note that not all terms may be searchable.
Ace, 226–27
Acid Tests, 83, 86–102; Graduation, 113–15; Los Angeles, 100–101
acoustic music, 325–36, 371–74
Adams, Carolyn. See Mountain Girl
Adams, Lee, 32–33
Adler, Lou, 133
Affordables, 417
Ahlers, Ozzie, 321
“Alabama Getaway,” 307
alcohol use, 44–45. See also drug use
Alembic, 235–36
Alexander, Sandy, 257
“Alligator,” 134–35
Allman Brothers, 242–44, 295
Alpine Valley Music Theater (East Troy), 366
Altamont, 172–74, 175
“Althea,” 307–8
American Beauty, 196–98, 199, 201–3, 217
amphetamines, 139. See also drug use
Anonymous Artists of America (“Triple A”), 114–15
Anthem of the Sun, 136–37, 144–46, 149, 153–54, 203, 242
Aoxomoxoa, 154–55, 158–60, 162–63
Apocalypse Now (movie), 305
Arista Records, 278, 282, 288, 339, 387
army experience, 24–27
artwork, 338, 413–15, 469
Ash Grove, the, 46
“At a Siding,” 281
At Fillmore East, 243
“Attics of My Life,” 193–94, 387
auto accident, 32–33, 438
autopsy, 463
Avalon Ballroom, 109, 117
Babbs, Ken, 80
Baez, Joan, 54
Baker, Randy, 416, 418, 434
Balin, Marty, 116, 173, 298
Band, the, 163–64, 243, 450
The Band, 164
banjo, 45, 46, 51–52, 58–59, 75, 372
Barlow, John, 308, 461
Barncard, Steve, 196, 202
Beach Boys, 341
“The Beast,” 305–6
Beatles, 67, 136; imitators, 69–70
beatniks, viii, 23, 36–37
“Believe It or Not,” 378
Belushi, John, 286–87
Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, 363
Berio, Luciano, 157
Betty Ford Clinic, 451–53
Big Brother and the Holding Company, 138, 201
“Big Railroad Blues,” 211
Bill Graham Presents, 352, 460
“Bird Song,” 210
Bischoff, Elmer, 22
Bishop, Elvin, 107
Black Crowes, 472
“Black Muddy River,” 358–59
Black Panther Party, 191–92
“Black Peter,” 177, 358
Bloomfield, Mike, 107
Blows Against the Empire, 185–86
bluegrass, 46, 66–67, 76
Blues for Allah, 260–61, 263–66, 404
“Blues for Allah,” 263, 265
Boar’s Head, 39, 40, 49
Bob and Jerry, 36
Bogert, Dick, 125
Boston Garden, 408, 409
“Box of Rain,” 197, 451
Bralove, Bob, viii, 384, 397
Brand, Stewart, 95–97
Brickell, Edie, 429
Brightman, Candace, 385
Broadway, 372–73
“Brokedown Palace,” 194–95, 446
“Brown-Eyed Woman,” 230–31
Buchanan, Buzz, 292, 293
Buckmaster, Paul, 287
“Built to Last,” 380
Built to Last, 381, 382–84, 387–88
Burgin, Dave, 291
Butterfield, Paul, 106–7
Cage, Buddy, 224–25
California School of Fine Arts, 22–23, 40
Camera, Paul, 470
“Candyman,” 183
“Can’t Come Down,” 84
Cantor, Betty, 214
carpal tunnel syndrome, 432–33
“Casey Jones,” 165, 188
Cassady, Neil, 80, 81–82, 83, 93, 127–28, 149
“Cats Under the Stars,” 291–92
Cats Under the Stars, 290–92
celebrity, 363
Charlatans, the, 87–88
Charles Lloyd Quartet, 126, 127
Chateau, the, 42–43, 44
Cherry Garcia ice cream, 363
Chiarito, Gert, 45
Chimenti, Jeff, 471
“China Cat Sunflower,” 147–48
“China Doll,” 238
Choong, Yen-wei, 416, 418
CIA drug experiments, 78. See also drug use
“Cigarettes and Coffee,” 438
cigarette smoking, 304, 463–64
Clements, Vassar, 241
Clemons, Clarence, 388
Clinton, Bill, 426, 456
cocaine, 165–66, 190, 253–56, 272, 289–90, 304, 320, 323, 331, 332–33, 337, 344, 464. See also drug use
“Cold Rain and Snow,” 211
Coleman, Ornette, 107, 421, 456
Coltrane, John, 107–8
coma, 346–49
Comeback II, 417
Comedia Theater, 32, 34
“Comes a Time,” 223, 342
compact discs, 404–5
Compliments of Garcia (originally Garcia, later Compliments), 246–47, 251–52
Concerts: Broadway, 372–73; Concord Pavilion, 388; Lunt-Fontanne Theater (Broadway), 372–73; Warfield Theater (Bay Area), 437
Concerts, Grateful Dead: Alpine Valley Music Theater (East Troy), 366; Altamont, 172–74, 175; Avalon Ballroom, 109, 117; Boston Garden, 408, 409; Carousel Ballroom (San Francisco), 147, 149, 150; Deer Creek Amphitheater (Indiana), 448; Egypt, 297, 298–302; Europe, 229, 233, 399; Fillmore Auditorium, 87, 109, 117, 118, 119, 372; Fillmore East, 151, 216, 219; Fillmore West, 151, 216; Folsom Field (Boulder), 309; Gaelic Park (Bronx), 217; Giants Stadium (New Jersey), 300, 447; Great American Music Hall, 268; Greek Theater (Berkeley), 323, 340–42; Hampton Coliseum (Virginia), 386–87; Hollywood Bowl, 137; Ice Stadium (Stockholm), 399; incidents at concerts, 362, 377, 382, 446–47, 449; Kezar Stadium, 262–63; Lindley Meadows (San Francisco), 268; Madison Square Garden, 378–79, 398, 429; Monterey International Pop Festival, 133–34; Oakland Auditorium (Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center), 337; Oakland Coliseum Arena, 342, 356, 374, 401, 421; Red Rocks Amphitheater (Denver), 294, 299; RFK Stadium (Washington, D.C.), 429; Richfield Coliseum (Cleveland), 397; Shoreline Amphitheater, 443–44, 468–69; Silver Bowl (Las Vegas), 443; Sound and Ligh
t Theater (Giza, Egypt), 298–99; Straight Theater (San Francisco), 132–33, 137, 138; violence at concerts, 173–74, 377, 382; Warehouse (New Orleans), 180; Warfield Theater (Bay Area), 310; Watkins Glen, New York, 243–44; Winterland (San Francisco), 201, 264; Woodstock, 169–71; Yale Bowl (New Haven), 217
Concord Pavilion, 388
Constanten, Tom, 44, 156–57, 157, 179–80
Coppola, Francis Ford, 305
“Cosmic Charlie,” 159–60, 163
Cosmic Charlie Campaign, 160
Cotton, James, 415
counterculture, 131–32. See also hippies
country blues, 49–50
Country Joe and the Fish, 147
Cousin David, 275
“Crazy Fingers,” 264
“Cream Puff War,” 123–24
criticisms, of Grateful Dead, 218, 407
Crosby, David, 206, 456
Crosby, Stills and Nash, 166
Crutcher, Susan, 260, 266, 282
“Cryptical Envelopment,” 142
“Cumberland Blues,” 177
Cummins, Sherwood, 469
Cutler, John, 359, 383, 390–91, 447
Cutler, Sam, 175, 181
“Dark Star,” 135–36, 147, 230
Davis, Clive, 211–12, 278, 282, 288, 339
Davis, Miles, 107, 186
Davis, Tom, 310–11
Dawson, John, 184, 225
“Days Between,” 422
Day of the Dead (MTV), 366
Dead Ahead (video), 310, 312–13
Deadheads, 219, 250, 257, 266, 277, 288, 316–20, 323, 348, 350, 353, 369–70, 372, 373, 377, 388, 392, 399, 432, 460, 461–62, 464, 466–67, 474
Dead Heads (fan club), 219–20
“Deadiquette” crews, 377
Dead Relix (newsletter, later Relix), 277
“Deal,” 208
“Dear Mr. Fantasy,” 333–34
death, 454; effects of, 464; reactions to, 455–57
death threat, 448–49
Deer Creek Amphitheater (Indiana), 448
Dell’Amico, Len, 310, 339, 343, 349, 360, 364, 475
Devout Catalyst, 403–4
DiBiase, Gloria, 389–90, 419, 434
DiBiase, Vince, 389–90, 414, 419, 434, 469
Dick’s Picks Volume Seven, 256
Diga Rhythm Band, 274
Diggers, 112
“Dire Wolf,” 164–65
disco, 295
“Doin’ That Rag,” 159, 163
Donahue, Tom, 125
“Down the Road,” 465