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Music : Blue Light Rain
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Rating: 
- Am I the Victim or is Jazz is Dead the Crime?
Amazon consumers almost always dismiss and vote down negative reviews, but there needs to be some balanced feedback on "Blue Light Rain." Jazz Is Dead plays Grateful Dead style background music. This music is bland, boring and uninspiring; this group does little justice to the Grateful Dead. I'm not coming from a fanatical "I'm a Grateful zealot and nobody can do the Grateful Dead like the Dead" point of view. Far from it, I believe that a good tribute pays homage to the parent while simultaneously making a fresh interpretation. There is no innovation here, despite the talented and otherwise accomplished musicians. Indeed, Jazz is Dead is the ultimate example of how a group can be less than the sum total of its parts. On a Friday night, any party band in any college town can play music of this caliber. Beyond the issue of musical mediocrity, Jazz Is Dead is false advertising. I purchased this when it first came out in 1998, ecstatic at the potential of a group playing jazz interpretations of the Grateful Dead's material. Contrary to the band's name, there is no jazz on this CD; this is instrumental rock. This may seem like a victimless crime, but have you thought about the day when some talented up-and-coming band will play real jazz versions of the Grateful Dead? What will they call themselves? Yeah, the most clever aspect of Jazz is Dead is their name and they don't live up to it. If you're looking for jazz versions of the Grateful Dead, go with Joe Gallant's "Blues for Allah Project" or "Swingin' to the Dead." "Blue Light Rain" is for those seeking Grateful Dead style elevator music.
Rating:
- Groove-Ful Dead
I saw these guys live in PA in this format, mainly because I wanted to see Billy Cobham, and I was completely blown away. Although this may upset many Dead fans, here it is: this is the way I wish the Dead HAD sounded. GD were visionaries and pioneers and underrated songwriters, but their musicianship (Jerry included) tended to be sloppy at times, and there was always a certain lack of energy or urgency to their playing. They were great for the mellow hippie-sway dancing thing, but they never really ROCKED. These guys do. Each member is a virtuoso on his own, and together they take the exploratory approach made famous by the Dead (who actually took it from Ornette Coleman and other jazz outfits) but at the same time they play with extreme precision and take the jams to energy levels that unfortunately the Dead rarely could. If you like this cd check out all 3 of their cds. Great Sky River is probably my favorite even though "Space" and "Drums" are still boring no matter who is playing them.
On an odd note, just to highlight the Deadhead disconnect from the rest of the world, I know many Deadheads who don't really care for Jazz Is Dead, which is simply beyond comprehension to me. Even Jimmy Herring said in an interview that Phil Lesh (who he now plays with) wasn't very impressed with Jazz Is Dead. Again, I can't even fathom this, when JID to me, is infinitely more interesting than many of the Dead bootlegs I've heard throughout the years. And most of my friends who are serious musicians are far more impressed with this band, than the original. Of course, I'd take Alphonso Johnson's solid playing over Phil's any day too. And I won't even get into the Billy Cobham vs Mickey Hart drumming styles which to me is one of the biggest differences and a complete no-brainer.
Anyways, for Deadhead's, jazz-heads, or anyone else who digs great live music, without a net check these guys out. Unfortunately they don't tour anymore, but we still have the recordings. Peace.
Rating: - Good Jazzy Option for Dead Fix
I had downloaded many of the "Jazz is Dead" songs from the internet prior to buying this CD, so the music wasn't new to me when I finally received it as a gift.
Overall, it's a lively interesting take on many Grateful Dead songs, and the first, "Crazy Fingers" is my favorite of the CD, even though I'm not too familiar with the Dead's versions of this song.
One problen with the CD is the jazzy nature of the covers. The more a song deviates from the original, the harder it is to sing along, or even to follow the cover. This happens a bit on this album, and is why I rated it four stars instead of five.
Rating:
- Some of the Best Versions of Dead Songs Ever!
You can't beat this CD! It is my favorite. I am a huge Deadhead and since the loss of Jerry, it is hard to get your fix.
If you like fusion mixed with Dead tunes, you will love this Blue Light Rain.
Billy Cobham is unbelievable. Jimmy Herring plays the hottest licks on Guitar. His work on this CD is what gave him the noteriety to be called up to the Phil and Friends. I actually enjoy Jimmy more in this band. Alfonso plays with abandon. This is probaly the best of T. Lavitz's work.
If you only get one Jazz is Dead CD or One CD all year, you would be missing out if you did not add Blue Light Rain to your collection!
Rating: - Great Jazz Fusion Tribute Disk to Grateful Dead
This disk should appeal to deadheads and nondeadheads alike. It is somewhat of a super session. Members include Jimmy Herring (Aquarium Rescue Unit & The Allman Brothers Band) on guitar, Alphonso Johnson (Weather Report & Santana) bass guitar, Billy Cobham (Miles Davis & Mahavishnu Orchestra)drums, and T Lavitz (Dixie Dregs & Steve Morse Band) on keyboards. The idea was to have jazz fusion heroes to perform instrumental versions of Grateful Dead tunes. The result is highly effective. Though not a total deadhead I am a fan of some of their more progressive music (not the country/folk stuff). It is evident that this band is musically tighter and more technically proficient than the Grateful Dead ever could be. Jimmy Herring is an underrated guitarist. He makes an economical use of every note without being overblown. Herring also projects a sweet feeling to his playing at times. If you ever wondered what it would sound like if Duane Allman or Dickey Betts joined the Grateful Dead, it might sound like this. Billy Cobham is arguably the best jazz fusion drummer. His playing sounds sort of like a more controlled yet jazzy version of Keith Moon or Ginger Baker. Alphonso Johnson works well with Cobham. His popping bass gets your feet tapping. I wonder how long they had to rehearse before aquiring this sort of telepathy between each other. T. Lavitz is adventurous yet solid on keyboards. The best part of the disk might be the song selection. The disk includes many of my favorites like great versions of "Dark Star" and "Help On The Way/Slipknot/Franklin's Tower" and "Scarlet Begonias". The disk also contains a heated version of Cobham's "Red Baron" from his "Spectrum" album (one of the best early jazz fusion albums w/Tommy Bolin). The cover tunes provide a basic framework but serve as a springboard for jamming and progressive musical explorations. Occasional hints of reggae and funk are added to sections of some of the songs which make them more interesting. In summary fans of great musicianship, jazz fusion and/or deadheads will find this to be an essential purchase.
- Am I the Victim or is Jazz is Dead the Crime?Amazon consumers almost always dismiss and vote down negative reviews, but there needs to be some balanced feedback on "Blue Light Rain." Jazz Is Dead plays Grateful Dead style background music. This music is bland, boring and uninspiring; this group does little justice to the Grateful Dead. I'm not coming from a fanatical "I'm a Grateful zealot and nobody can do the Grateful Dead like the Dead" point of view. Far from it, I believe that a good tribute pays homage to the parent while simultaneously making a fresh interpretation. There is no innovation here, despite the talented and otherwise accomplished musicians. Indeed, Jazz is Dead is the ultimate example of how a group can be less than the sum total of its parts. On a Friday night, any party band in any college town can play music of this caliber. Beyond the issue of musical mediocrity, Jazz Is Dead is false advertising. I purchased this when it first came out in 1998, ecstatic at the potential of a group playing jazz interpretations of the Grateful Dead's material. Contrary to the band's name, there is no jazz on this CD; this is instrumental rock. This may seem like a victimless crime, but have you thought about the day when some talented up-and-coming band will play real jazz versions of the Grateful Dead? What will they call themselves? Yeah, the most clever aspect of Jazz is Dead is their name and they don't live up to it. If you're looking for jazz versions of the Grateful Dead, go with Joe Gallant's "Blues for Allah Project" or "Swingin' to the Dead." "Blue Light Rain" is for those seeking Grateful Dead style elevator music.
Rating:
- Groove-Ful DeadI saw these guys live in PA in this format, mainly because I wanted to see Billy Cobham, and I was completely blown away. Although this may upset many Dead fans, here it is: this is the way I wish the Dead HAD sounded. GD were visionaries and pioneers and underrated songwriters, but their musicianship (Jerry included) tended to be sloppy at times, and there was always a certain lack of energy or urgency to their playing. They were great for the mellow hippie-sway dancing thing, but they never really ROCKED. These guys do. Each member is a virtuoso on his own, and together they take the exploratory approach made famous by the Dead (who actually took it from Ornette Coleman and other jazz outfits) but at the same time they play with extreme precision and take the jams to energy levels that unfortunately the Dead rarely could. If you like this cd check out all 3 of their cds. Great Sky River is probably my favorite even though "Space" and "Drums" are still boring no matter who is playing them.
On an odd note, just to highlight the Deadhead disconnect from the rest of the world, I know many Deadheads who don't really care for Jazz Is Dead, which is simply beyond comprehension to me. Even Jimmy Herring said in an interview that Phil Lesh (who he now plays with) wasn't very impressed with Jazz Is Dead. Again, I can't even fathom this, when JID to me, is infinitely more interesting than many of the Dead bootlegs I've heard throughout the years. And most of my friends who are serious musicians are far more impressed with this band, than the original. Of course, I'd take Alphonso Johnson's solid playing over Phil's any day too. And I won't even get into the Billy Cobham vs Mickey Hart drumming styles which to me is one of the biggest differences and a complete no-brainer.
Anyways, for Deadhead's, jazz-heads, or anyone else who digs great live music, without a net check these guys out. Unfortunately they don't tour anymore, but we still have the recordings. Peace.
Rating:
- Good Jazzy Option for Dead FixI had downloaded many of the "Jazz is Dead" songs from the internet prior to buying this CD, so the music wasn't new to me when I finally received it as a gift.
Overall, it's a lively interesting take on many Grateful Dead songs, and the first, "Crazy Fingers" is my favorite of the CD, even though I'm not too familiar with the Dead's versions of this song.
One problen with the CD is the jazzy nature of the covers. The more a song deviates from the original, the harder it is to sing along, or even to follow the cover. This happens a bit on this album, and is why I rated it four stars instead of five.
Rating:
- Some of the Best Versions of Dead Songs Ever!You can't beat this CD! It is my favorite. I am a huge Deadhead and since the loss of Jerry, it is hard to get your fix.
If you like fusion mixed with Dead tunes, you will love this Blue Light Rain.
Billy Cobham is unbelievable. Jimmy Herring plays the hottest licks on Guitar. His work on this CD is what gave him the noteriety to be called up to the Phil and Friends. I actually enjoy Jimmy more in this band. Alfonso plays with abandon. This is probaly the best of T. Lavitz's work.
If you only get one Jazz is Dead CD or One CD all year, you would be missing out if you did not add Blue Light Rain to your collection!
Rating:
- Great Jazz Fusion Tribute Disk to Grateful DeadThis disk should appeal to deadheads and nondeadheads alike. It is somewhat of a super session. Members include Jimmy Herring (Aquarium Rescue Unit & The Allman Brothers Band) on guitar, Alphonso Johnson (Weather Report & Santana) bass guitar, Billy Cobham (Miles Davis & Mahavishnu Orchestra)drums, and T Lavitz (Dixie Dregs & Steve Morse Band) on keyboards. The idea was to have jazz fusion heroes to perform instrumental versions of Grateful Dead tunes. The result is highly effective. Though not a total deadhead I am a fan of some of their more progressive music (not the country/folk stuff). It is evident that this band is musically tighter and more technically proficient than the Grateful Dead ever could be. Jimmy Herring is an underrated guitarist. He makes an economical use of every note without being overblown. Herring also projects a sweet feeling to his playing at times. If you ever wondered what it would sound like if Duane Allman or Dickey Betts joined the Grateful Dead, it might sound like this. Billy Cobham is arguably the best jazz fusion drummer. His playing sounds sort of like a more controlled yet jazzy version of Keith Moon or Ginger Baker. Alphonso Johnson works well with Cobham. His popping bass gets your feet tapping. I wonder how long they had to rehearse before aquiring this sort of telepathy between each other. T. Lavitz is adventurous yet solid on keyboards. The best part of the disk might be the song selection. The disk includes many of my favorites like great versions of "Dark Star" and "Help On The Way/Slipknot/Franklin's Tower" and "Scarlet Begonias". The disk also contains a heated version of Cobham's "Red Baron" from his "Spectrum" album (one of the best early jazz fusion albums w/Tommy Bolin). The cover tunes provide a basic framework but serve as a springboard for jamming and progressive musical explorations. Occasional hints of reggae and funk are added to sections of some of the songs which make them more interesting. In summary fans of great musicianship, jazz fusion and/or deadheads will find this to be an essential purchase.