This disc was a happy byproduct of the Grateful Dead resigning
with Warner Bros. It was mutually beneficial for Bob Weir (guitar/vocals)
as well as Mickey Hart (percussion), and his criminally overlooked debut
long player Rolling Thunder (1972). Jerry Garcia's (acoustic guitar, electric
guitar, pedal steel guitar, bass, piano, organ, samples, vocals) simply
titled Garcia (1972) is arguably the most solo of all these projects, as
only he and the Grateful Dead's Billy Kreutzmann (percussion) contribute
instrumentally. That said, Robert Hunter's lyrics should not be underestimated
as all six of his co-compositions became staples in the Dead's live songbook
for the remainder of their concert career. The infusion of new material
can be attributed to the lack of any Dead-related releases since Workingman's
Dead (1970), over 14 months earlier. Although Garcia is the primary musician
on the ten tracks, he has given each arrangement a wholly unique persona.
These range from straight-ahead blues-based rock 'n' roll ("Sugaree")
to the avant-garde ("Late For Supper"). Within those extremes
are discerning renditions and solid performances of stone gems such as the
noir folkie "Loser," as well as the lilting balladry of "Bird
Song" and the cyclical psychedelia of "The Wheel"; the latter
of which features some of the finest pedal steel guitar work to have come
from Garcia's brief infatuation with the twangy instrument. He brings an
intimacy to the affective love song "To Lay Me Down" that was
rarely equalled by the Grateful Dead. His prowess as an emotive pianist
can be heard throughout not only that cut, but also on the trippy medley
consisting of the previously mentioned "Late for Supper," "Spidergawd,"
and "Eep Hour." Ever the self-effacing artist, at the time of
release the guitarist overtly downplayed the album as "overindulgent."
Time has rendered that assessment utterly false, as Garcia is nothing short
of a full-bodied artistic expression from one of rock & roll's most
multi-faceted musicians. Both initiated Deadheads as well as enthusiasts
of the burgeoning early-'70s singer/songwriter movement will find much to
cherish on this recording as Jerry Garcia redefines his immense talents
and seemingly undiluted musical potential.
(Lindsay Planer, www.allmusic.com)
#13 in Jahresliste 
Plattentipp 
Grateful Dead 
