The Very Best of Jerry Garcia CD

Whether one loves or hates the Grateful Dead--the only options for most--Jerry Garcia's undeniable talents as a musician and originator simply can't be argued. His unique brew of bluegrass, jazz, and exploratory rock created an industry of imitators and still stands as Haight-Ashbury's most indelible thumbprint on American music. For appreciators of this talent who could otherwise take or leave the Dead's uneven catalog, Rhino's two-disc VERY BEST OF JERRY GARCIA is a perfect career summation.

Although highlights from his '70s studio output like "Deal," "Sugaree," and "Loser" collected on disc one have aged quite well, the true gems are the live Jerry Garcia Band and Old & In the Way cuts on disc two. The former light up Dylan gems like "Senor (Tales of Yankee Power)" and "Positively 4th Street" while the latter own "Deep Elem Blues." Hammond maestro Merl Saunders joins Garcia for an epic "Dear Prudence," one of the second disc's many highlights.

Audio Remasterer: Joe Gastwirt.

Liner Note Author: Blair Jackson.

Recording information: Ace's (07/1971-??/1990); Boarding House, San Francisco, CA (07/1971-??/1990); Calderone Theatre, Hempstead, NJ (07/1971-??/1990); Club Front, San Rafael, CA (07/1971-??/1990); Devonshire Studios, Los Angeles, CA (07/1971-??/1990); His Masters Wheels, San Francisco, CA (07/1971-??/1990); Keystone, Berkeley, CA (07/1971-??/1990); Keystone, Palo Alto, CA (07/1971-??/1990); Theatre 1839, San Francisco, CA (07/1971-??/1990); Wally Heider Recording, San Francisco, CA (07/1971-??/1990); Warfield Theatre, San Francisco, CA (07/1971-??/1990).

Photographers: Dave Patrick; Herbert Greene; Richard Aaron; Jon Sievert.

Unknown Contributor Role: Mickey Hart.

Arrangers: Jerry Garcia; John Kahn; Roger Neuman.

Personnel: Jerry Garcia (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, classical guitar, banjo, piano, organ, synthesizer, percussion, chimes); Jerry Garcia (steel guitar, bass guitar); David Nelson (vocals, guitar); Sandy Rothman (vocals, mandolin); Keith Godchaux (vocals, piano, tack piano, Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards); Donna Jean Godchaux (vocals, background vocals); Jackie LaBranch, Liza Stires, Gloria Jones, Julie Stafford (vocals); John Kahn (guitar, piano, Clavinet, organ, keyboards, synthesizer, vibraphone, acoustic bass, bass guitar); Richard Greene & Beryl Marriott (violin); Kenny Kosek, Vassar Clements (fiddle); Rev. Ron Stallings (saxophone); Roger Neuman (trumpet, horns); Ed Neumeister (trombone); Jimmy Dale Warren (piano, Clavinet); Larry Knechtel (Fender Rhodes piano); Melvin Seals (organ, keyboards); Ozzie Ahlers (keyboards); Phil Lesh (bass guitar); David Kemper, Johnny d'Fonseca, Gaylord Birch (drums); Bobbye Hall (congas, shaker, percussion, bells); Peter Rowan, Bob Weir (vocals, guitar); David Grisman (vocals, mandolin); Arthur Adams (guitar); Joel Tepp (clarinet); Amos Garrett (trombone); Michael Omartian (piano, tack piano); Nicky Hopkins (piano); Merl Saunders (organ, keyboards); Ron Tutt (drums, tambourine, percussion); Mickey Hart (drums, percussion); Bill Kreutzmann (drums).

Audio Mixers: Jerry Garcia; Mike McGinn; John Cutler; Tom Flye; Betty Cantor; Billy Wolf; Bob Matthews.

Dirty Linen (p.48) - "More than just a fine songwriter and bandleader, Garcia was also an innovative interpreter, which is what makes this second disc a welcome addition."