CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Not for Kids Only

by: Jerry Garcia, David Grisman

Release Date October 20, 1993
This music has that timeless folky appeal. The title is appropriate, as I can understand children enjoying the simplicity of these songs, but the songs themselves aren't "childish." They speak about simple subject matter (eg. trains) but in a respectful and authoritative way. Master musicianship as well.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Grisman & Garcia

by: David Grisman, Jerry Garcia

Release Date July 01, 1991
This album is a wonderful document of two great friends playing some inspired music. Garcia's vocals are among the best he's ever laid down in the studio, and the interplay of his and Grisman's instruments on tracks like "The Thrill is Gone" and "Walking Boss" will make any fan of acoustic music smile all the way home. I agree that the classic "Friend of the Devil" is, IMHO, the best version I've heard. Jim Kerwin (on upright bass) and Joe Craven, both of DGQ fame, are also on hand to flesh out the sound on these numbers, and herein lies the 4 instead of 5 stars in my review. Jim and Joe are both super talented and I have seen them perform live with the DGQ on many occasions. However, Joe has an annoying aspect of his performance that is also present ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Breakdown: Live Recordings 1973

by: Old & in the Way, Jerry Garcia, David Grisman

Release Date November 18, 1997
My casstte of OLD AND IN THE WAY self destructed and I had to replace it. This is what I found after searching. The playlist isn't in the same order and there are a few extra tunes but boy was it good to get this back again. Vassar Clemens and Jerry Garcia never sounded better.

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Garcia Plays Dylan

by: Jerry Garcia

Release Date October 25, 2005
Many people attempt to sing Dylan songs. Jerry always seems to nail it; in his own style. This is a great two CD set. The cover is different as advertised. No Problem. It features the Jerry Garcia Band - Legion of Mary and of course the Dead. Jerry up front in all three. Highly recommended.

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Garcia

by: Jerry Garcia

Release Date April 12, 2005
GARCIA, the debut solo album by Grateful Dead lead guitarist-singer Jerry Garcia, is the equal of the Dead's classic AMERICAN BEAUTY. The songs "Deal" and "Sugaree" are still played on classic rock radio quite often today, and there's other great stuff here, too. This CD has been given a thick, warm remastering job, with numerous bonus cuts added. If you love the Grateful Dead, or even if you're just a casual fan, you'll want this album.

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Shady Grove

by: Jerry Garcia & David Grisman

Release Date October 15, 1996
Folks,

I learned guitar playing Shady Grove. This is one huge CD if you are into Jerry G. If you know his history, you must have this CD and have his "Old and In the Way" album. I consider this CD Jerry's attempt to get back to folk. Shoot, I still have his Guitar Player Magazine interview.

In my opinion, Fred Holstein, now dead, his brother Ed, Pete Seegar, Claudia Schmidt, Myself, all did the same tunes on North Linclon in Chicago. I think Fred did a much better job on the tunes than Jerry does. Hey, that is folk music.

Fred did all the tunes with the idea that the tunes should be played in original form, folk music. This CD is close to the performances I was at his bar in Chicago. Hey recall Steve Goodman????

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

After Midnight: Kean College, 2/28/80

by: Jerry Garcia Band

Release Date September 28, 2004
I have been a Dead, particularly a Garcia fan since the 60's, but would never consider myself a "Deadhead". I think that all too often the ardent followers let their deadication get in the way of a reasonable assessment of the music. I bought this CD because I was in the mood for some Garcia solo work, something I often find more enjoyable than listening to the Dead. This particular album had good reviews, mostly from people who appear to be ardent Deadheads. It was primarily these reviews that led me to choose this CD above the many others in Garcia's catalog.

Maybe it was the back up band - too much synthesizer with tunes that would have been better served by a B-3. The liner notes made mention of having the opportunity to hear Garcia handling the rhythm ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

The Jerry Garcia Collection, Vol. 1: Legion of Mary

by: Jerry Garcia

Release Date August 23, 2005
The Dead/Jerry catalog is so extensive that it's tough to prioritize, and you could spend a fortune buying all the great archive releases of recent years. This collection, to me, needs to be at the top of the shopping list. In my tape trading days I really loved the Legion of Mary and Reconstruction shows and was thrilled when this CD release came out. It doesn't disappoint. The sound quality is excellent. The songs are phenomenal. I prefer this to any JGB incarnation I've heard.

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

The Pizza Tapes

by: Jerry Garcia, David Grisman, Tony Rice

Release Date April 25, 2000
These recordings really highlight the talent of these three musicians individually and as a whole. I've been listening to the Old And In The Way albums for years and just recently heard about The Pizza Tapes. I'm glad I added it to my collection the small talk and improptu riffs between tracks makes me feel like I was right there in the room with them.

Thanks pizza delivery boy!

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Jerry Garcia Band

by: Jerry Garcia Band

Release Date August 27, 1991
If you want primo Jerry Garcia live, buy Live at the KeyStone vol 1 or vol 2 and hear Jerry G and Merle Saunders in 1973 in their prime. I loved going to see Jerry's band in many incarnations throughout the 1980s, but his voice and his energy gradually decreased into the 1990s. Years of touring took their toll. His voice on much of this JGB release is very weak and rough compared to his earlier years, and these band members are no match for the great JG Bands of the mid 1970s. Really, skip this one and buy the KeyStone recordings. There is no comparison.