This album review summarizes the Dear Jerry tribute concert album that celebrates the music of the late Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia. The concert took place in 2015 at Merriweather Post Pavilion and featured performances from Phil Lesh & Communion, Allen Toussaint, David Grisman, Peter Frampton, Buddy Miller, Jorma Kaukonen, Jimmy Cliff, Bob Weir, Los Lobos, Moe, O.A.R., Grace Potter, The Disco Biscuits, Trampled By Turtles, Yonder Mountain String Band, Eric Church and Widespread Panic. The review highlights several of the performances and describes the album as a "love letter"

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Artist: Various Artists
Album: Dear Jerry
Label: Rounder
Release Date: 10/14/2016
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Various Artists
Dear Jerry - Celebrating The Music of Jerry Garcia
Album Reviews | November 22nd, 2016
For Grateful Dead fans, the show’s never
quite over. Even when lead guitarist Jerry
Garcia died 21 years ago, the band kept on
truckin’ in various configurations. Rounder
Record’s new CD/DVD release, Dear Jerry, is
a love letter to the brilliant guitarist,
reluctant leader, and always witty Garcia.
Recorded live at Merriweather Post
Pavilion, a regular touring stop for the
Dead, on May 14th, 2015, this tribute
concert captures all the jammy goodness
of a Dead show, with a wider variety of
friends and supporting acts.
Who better to kick it all off than Phil Lesh
& Communion? Surrounding himself with a
heavily bearded group of talented young
players, Lesh leads the Communion on
“The Wheel/Uncle John’s Band.” Together,
they create a sonic tapestry as tightly woven as the kaleidoscopic oriental rugs upon
which they stand, trading seemingly effortless solos inspired by the greatness that
came before, injected with a shot of youth. Most remarkable are the ethereal, chiming
harmonies which at times almost sound Gregorian in their perfection. At 76, Lesh
looks great and gives a stunning performance.
Sometimes Jerry Garcia Band collaborator and eternally inspiring Allen Toussaint
brings NOLA mojo and piano driven elegance with “Get Out My Life Woman.” Given
that we lost Toussaint in November, 2015, it’s a treat to see him in such fine form,
having a blast with the excellent house band, who recognize they are in the presence

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of a true master.
Mandolin maestro David Grisman, well known for his work on American Beauty, sheds
light on Garcia’s bluegrass roots with “Shady Grove.” Peter Frampton gives perhaps the
most rocking performance of the show with “Road Runner,” strutting the stage while
shredding on guitar. We feel like he does. Buddy Miller jazzes things up with “Deal,”
showing a mastery of Jerry’s meandering style.
Garcia’s influence spans space and time. Carefully observant fans know that he is
listed as “Musical and Spiritual Advisor” on Jefferson Airplane’s groundbreaking album
Surrealistic Pillow, and so it is fitting that Jorma Kaukonen appears to play a rollicking
version of “Sugaree.”
Garcia’s mid to late ‘70s work was often imbued with Caribbean funkiness, and
explains the presence of the great Jimmy Cliff performing his own hit “The Harder They
Come,” and also shows much of what influenced “Fire On The Mountain.” Here Cliff is
joined by Bob Weir, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzman.
Los Lobos are old friends, and along with Bob Weir do an excellent version of “Bertha,”
David Hidalgo’s vocal and lead guitar style perfectly suited for the job, but also
different enough to render it fresh. Moe’s “Loser” is a straight ahead cover for the
faithful, while clean cut O.A.R. bring an almost punk-rock energy to “St. Stephen,” which
it always had.
At times Weir looks a bit lost onstage, but accompanies Grace Potter beautifully on
her passionate version of the beloved “Friend Of The Devil.” The Disco Biscuits,
Trampled By Turtles, Yonder Mountain String Band, Eric Church and Widespread Panic
round out the show with excellent and energetic performances. All come together as
one to close out the evening with “Ripple.”
For those who wish they were there, the DVD is the next best thing. Extras include
brief bites of the bands saying what they would if they could speak directly to Jerry.
Perhaps Los Lobos say it best, “We miss you Jerry. Come back!” Highly recommended!
-Mike Cobb
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