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No disrespect to the originals, but these are truly great players playing those great tunes, and their technical prowess allows them to reign in some of (what I perceive as) the original band's musical excesses. The overall Dead aesthetic was just too meandering and laid-back for jazz-rock nuts like me.
However -- 1. I always felt that the Grateful Dead wrote some great tunes.
I understand).2. Other than Jerry Garcia, their musical technique wasn't strong enough to give those tunes a proper workout.
(Okay, Bob Weir and Phil Lesh fans, flame away. That's why this release, like all the Jazz is Dead releases, makes me very happy.
Other reviewers have covered the highlights, so there's nothing to add there -- I simply want to recommend this disc to other fusion fans who saw the potential as far back as 1967 but secretly yearned for a little more adrenaline and chops.
Regardless, there is just no way escaping the dynamic performances of the musicians and the way they have interpreted and restructured the selected Grateful Dead tunes. I like most of what the Dead put out but not everything. I'm not what you would call a hard core Dead Head. If you have familiarity with the Dead and want to see how another group of first rate musicians redefine the songs in a "jazzy," instrumental interpretation, I'd really recommend this disc. Same is true for Jazz - I like a lot of jazz, including some electronic jazz, but not everthing. The title is a little misleading because it's not what I would call jazz per se, but it does have those kind of overtones. It heightens your appreciation of what these guys are doing and why they did it and just elevates the enjoyment of the music all the way around. Give it a try.
This is an inbcredible CD - Terrapin is the best - I just love all their stuff - long pieces - no vocals - fantasmic.
This album is alright if you like over indulgent guitar acrobatics other than that not much substance.
My least favorite part is Blues For Allah which sounds almost as irritating as the GD's version). Here are some great old Grateful Dead songs played REALLY well.It made me wish for the vocals, but also made a great kareokee-like sound track to sing along to. This cover band plays faithfully and lovingly both note for note interpretations (My favorite parts; China Cat, St Steven/The Eleven, and Morning Dew, are played better than the Dead could. and extended distinctive jazzy Herring/Aquarium Rescue Unit-sounding jams (less interesting but always well done with his intricate noodling guitar work). These guys are great musicians and this is a fun recording, and while it lacks the creative uncertainty and risk-taking (a la Jerry's musical laisez faire attitude) that made the Dead capable of really magical moments, on its own its plenty interesting.
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