Jerry Garcia... R.I.P. This Day in 1995..

[Rico]

1995 - Jerry Garcia, lead singer and guitarist of the Grateful Dead, died.

Sad to think it has only been little more than ten years since his passing..

I saw a show the other night with Anne Coulter...
For lack of a better description the "Republican Right Wing" version of a shock jock...
I was floored by the fact that she used to date and travel with Garcia...

Well The following is a review of one of my favorite albums by Senor Jerry...

Aoxomoxoa review

This album like the two that preceded it is very psychedelic and late 1960's sounding. Though, unlike Anthem of the Sun that focused heavily upon jamming, these compositions are more song oriented. Noteworthy is that they  were all written by Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter with the exception of bassist Phil Lesh assisting on "St. Stephen."

From this album only "China Cat Sunflower" survived through the years; originally this song frequently appeared in their concerts between "Dark Star" and "The Eleven."  This CD includes  "St. Stephen," the song that smartly replaced "China Cat Sunflower" as their live staple to serve as the filling between the "Dark Star" and "The Eleven."  It is a powerful piece of music rhythmically which was dropped from the repertoire shortly after Keith Godchaux joined the band. It did appear on rare occasions in the late 1970's and early '80's, but sounded best in the band's early years.  

Several of the shorter songs are more folk oriented and are a prelude as to the direction the band was evolving towards; as would be heard in their next two studio albums.  

The bonus material is a treasure. It includes three separate studio jams recorded on 8/13/68. These special compositions include the progressive "Clementine Jam," the bluesy "Nobody's Fault Jam," and the psychedelic "The Eleven Jam."

The additions to Aoxomoxoa are one of a kind that make this album more than worthy of consideration. It is noteworthy to mention the outstanding versions of many of these songs on  Dick's Picks 26.  

Original Album - C +
Bonus Material - A
Final Grade - B
The remastered version of Aoxomoxoa is available in the box set The Golden Road.

[8D]

[aoxamaxoa]

Here is a book that appears to have a noble purpose and grassroots origins:

The Easiest Best Thing Is Be Kind

M. Luke Myers has put together a book that is "a study in the causes of genocide and the importance of compassion with help from many of the important figures from the Grateful Dead family."

Myers is the author of the article "Why Be Kind" <http://news.pompanopulse.com/in-print/2007-01/whykind.html> in which he writes :

"Cynicism suggests that the victims of the Holocaust elicit some sympathy from Americans because they look like "us." If we can locate Darfur on the map, we know that it is far away. If we can track down pictures, we know its peoples do not look like "us." They are... black. Surely then, these killings do not affect us.

How can we connect to an unfamiliar people in an unfamiliar situation? This is not the first genocide, but most of us are fortunate enough to know little of this horror. Moreover, the survivors continue to leave us. Consciousness comes at a high price: suffering."
Deadheads for Darfur will be in Boca Raton, FL on Sunday, January 28, 2007. We will have the first paperback copies of the book on sale. Because we placed a large order, our manufacturing costs were lower. Buying at the rally is cheapest for you, and even more money goes to Save Darfur! You can find more information here <http://news.pompanopulse.com/in-print/2006-12/eventflyer.pdf>. We will share a table with Coral Springs for Peace <http://www.coralspringsforpeace.org/> (look for the paper dolls <http://coalitionfordarfur.blogspot.com/2006/10/darfur-pupils-want-400000-paper-dolls.html>)."



http://www.lulu.com/content/637110

http://deadheadsfordarfur.blogspot.com/