Jerry Garcia article about lost tapes, early music, etc.

[edwardofhuncote]

Thought you guys might enjoy this... cross-posted from my buddy John's website: http://bluegrasstoday.com/jerry-garcias-bluegrass-roots/

[lbpesq]

Thanks for posting this.  I know the article states that Jerry sang lead on all the songs, but the lead vocal on Roving Gambler, the track included in the article, doesn't sound like Garcia to me. 

Bill, tgo

[hammer]

Interesting...and on my list to acquire especially given the high quality of the recording.

[cozmik_cowboy]

OK, I gotta get that one; thanks, Greg!
I'm with you Bill; I'd bet $5 Federal that's Nelson singing.

And the author says " the Hart Valley Drifters – featuring with a 20-year old Jerry Garcia on lead vocals, banjo and guitar, were future Grateful Dead co-founder and fellow-lyricist Robert Hunter on bass, New Riders of the Purple Sage co-founder David Nelson on guitar, Ken Frankel on banjo, fiddle and guitar, and Norm Van Maastricht on Dobro."

My Deadhead sensibilities, combined with my natural tendency to pick the fly poop out of the pepper, require me to point out that 1) Hunter was not a Dead co-founder; he came into that about a year in, and 2) they were not "co-lyricists" - Jerry never did a lyric after Hunter started writing them (and we're all glad of that; I think RH should have gotten the Nobel before Dylan, but Jer was not a threat there).

Peter (whose wife assures him is really annoying when he says stuff like that, but can't help himself)

[lbpesq]

Peter, ever think about coming out here for the annual NorCal gathering?

Bill, tgo

[cozmik_cowboy]

Think about it?  Yeah, sure.  But I've heard some of you guys recorded & seen Edwin live, and I figure if I showed up, someone would expect me to pick up an instrument and that ain't happening!  Over & above the fact that, alas, none of mine are Alembics yet, I'm strictly an all-by-my-lonesome, bedroom type player. 
Besides, time & coin are short; any extra goes to visiting my far-flung grandsons (that's what I get for raising their dads to be independent, damn my eyes...)

Peter

[David Houck]

Just got through reading a nice account by the dobro player in that group of that time and his relationship with Garcia, Hunter, et al.  Some of you might find it of interest.  Here.

[lbpesq]

Wonderful read!  And a great way to start a lazy, rainy Sunday.  Thanks for posting it, Dave.

Bill, tgo

[pauldo]

Peter, I saw Edwin play live once when I was in Colorado.  He truly IS "all that".  But more importantly he was a kind, generous person.  I also met Bill in Chicago,  another kind generous person, one whom tolerated me testing the 4 x 21 Bag End sub-woofer*!

If the opportunity arises for you to head out there DO NOT MISS IT!


* owning one of those is on a bucket list.  I still vividly recall how pure the depths of rumble were from it; literally from my nose to my toes it penetrated my being - probably the closest thing to the sound of a black hole (discussed in a different thread) that there is on this planet.  We were playing "Bird Song" (?), I had my fretless tuned to D and was just bumping the upper horn with my hand . . . oh what a glorious blossoming of sound!  If memory serves me, it even drew people in from the other room.   

[keith_h]

I remember the 4X21. It didn't matter where you were in the building you knew when it cut in.

[StephenR]

Here are another couple of articles that make good companions to the ones already posted. One is Sandy Rothman's four part article on Jerry's Banjo years and the second a short piece written by Pete Wernick. Pete plays with Hot Rize. Pete's recollections include an interesting observation about Jerry's low tolerance for pot smokers back in his early bluegrass days. His views about this had definitely "evolved" by the time of Old and in the Way.


http://www.thebestofwebsite.com/Bands/Jerry_Garcia/Misc/Rothman/1_Jerrys_Banjo_Years.htm

http://www.drbanjo.com/notesfromtheroad/notesfrmrd28.htm

[cozmik_cowboy]

I remember you guys talking about the 4X21; as a soundman whose all-time favorite system was built on top of 18" single scoops, I want to hear it!!!!!

Peter (whose specialty was vocal clarity, but who always built his mix on the bass player)

[elwoodblue]

No doubt!


      (((((The Bassault)))))

[cozmik_cowboy]

Oh - and yes, Paul; Edwin is a prince among men!

Peter

[edwin]

Think about it?  Yeah, sure.  But I've heard some of you guys recorded & seen Edwin live, and I figure if I showed up, someone would expect me to pick up an instrument and that ain't happening!  Over & above the fact that, alas, none of mine are Alembics yet, I'm strictly an all-by-my-lonesome, bedroom type player. 
Besides, time & coin are short; any extra goes to visiting my far-flung grandsons (that's what I get for raising their dads to be independent, damn my eyes...)

Peter

Hey, don't bring me into this as an excuse not to come! Besides, lots better players than me come to the gatherings. I'm not going to name names, but man, there are some good ones.