Some time ago the former Grateful Dead (Also Rythm Devils/New Riders of the Purple Sage/The Warlocks/ect) bassist and occasional vocalist put together an fantastic line up of his favorite Jam artist for a new fresh experience and and possibly a new Grateful Dead. He chose Warren Haynes (The Allman Brothers/Gov't Mule/Solo/ect) for guitar, Rob Barraco (Zen Tricksters/Chris Robinson & The New Earth Mud/ect) from piano, Jimmy Herring (The Allman Brothers/Aquarium Rescue Unit/Jazz is Dead/ Frogwings/ect) also for guitar, and John Molo (Bruce Hornsby/ModeReko/ect) for the band. Each member shows so much skill, and jam caulities. Phil Lesh even managed to get Mike Kang, who is the violinist/mandolinist of The String Cheese Incident to play on "Rock-n-Roll Blues".
The sound these musicians give off is amazing. Because of each musician's background, the music doesn't completely sound like The Grateful Dead is has a feel of it's own. For instance is has such a great groove, mainly coming from Haynes' and Herring's Allman years. The writing is without a doubt one of my favorite elements to talk about when referring to this album. Phil Lesh gets help from former part Grateful Dead writer Robert Hunter to write some of the tracks. Hunter's writing has such a style of it's own. His style combines past experiences, imaginative thinking, and a boat load of reference to literature, poems, or whatever. For instance, The Grateful Dead's sixth track on there legendary
American Beauty "Ripple" brings reference to various poems. Or in the third track "Dire Wolf" on The Grateful Dead's American Roots album
Workingman's Dead, the track has a fictional location known as "Fennario". Which is commonly used in Folk as a district of marshy lands and low swampy water. Another lucky and unexpected writing is "Liberty". Which the late Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter wrote many years ago.
There are few standout tracks on the album, but I find each song to be well done and writing. "Patchwork Quilt", Haynes' masterpiece is a beautiful/soulful track that was written about Jerry Garcia. Being that Warren is a Jam Band guitarist, he realizes the influence Jerry Garcia had on him, and like many aspiring Jam artists, he most definitely looks up to him. "Liberty" a track written by Garcia and Hunter many years ago is just a happy, positive song. With a nice meaning, that may be hard to figure out at first because of it's slightly not positive intro verse, but it is just stating a thought in a more cruel form. "Celebration" is a fantastic intro just gives off a scent of what's in store for the listener. High energy, and many great grooves for sure. So, all in all, this album is quality. It also managed to give me a new interest in The Grateful Dead side projects. So, I'm sure most of you would love it.
Celebration
Here's a high energy, perfectly grooved opener. It's gives off a very welcoming feel, not just through the lyrics, but through the sound. The organ playing and the bass really keep the song interesting, very rythmic, but still interesting. The dual guitar playing resembles The Allman Brother's method, but definitely not as showy. The vocals sound great, and seem to be in perfect key. The track goes through various different tempos, and the transformation before and after is extremely precise and flawless. At about four minutes and twenty seconds Warren throws in nice fighting solo, which will end the song. There is really nothing more than you hear. So, it's very strait up, and just kind of fun. 5/5
Night of a Thousand Stars
Here's a rapid fast track (Not exactly that fast, but compared to most of their songs, yes) Warren sings. He brings so much Allman Brothers influence it's crazy. The groove, the playing, and the voice that is extremely similar to Greg Allman's scratchy, powerful voice. Once again the bass is great, and the drums are flawless. I find that Rob Barraco's piano playing is the one element that makes the music whole. And it's easy to come up with that while listening to these songs. It's brings a very full and needed sound. The solo is also, once again perfect and very fitting. Pretty good song. 4/5
The Real Thing
"The Real Thing" is more of an epic, sad track. Warren not only sings it, but wrote it. I wouldn't go as far as saying that this is a highlight for Warren or even for the album, but the song is not necessarily bad. It is just okay, and is kind of boring. I of course love Warren's vocals. It amazes me that the guy can almost sing as good as he plays guitar. The song does have a good groove, not very surprising, but it is definitely a plus. So, overall the song is a little above mediocre. Not a highlight at all. 3/5
Again and Again
This song opens up with a nice little riff, nothing special, but as soon as the vocals come in you I know I got the idea that this song is different. The vocals are sang quite odd. The tempo is odd, but they sound great. Phil sings lead, and Rob and Warren sing backup. But the recording so clear you can completely point each musicians voice out, so it's just interesting. I rather like the chorus, it's simple, but catchy and nice. Warren and Jimmy manage to throw out the first dual guitar solo of the album, that is pretty good. They're no Allman and Betts, but they are surely amazing. 4/5
No More Do I
This track is kind of Latin influence. The guitars lead the song, and Warren takes the lead vocals. I love the rythm playing, the tone is fantastic. The lead is also good, kind of Santana like. Phil's bass playing and John's drumming match up perfectly. And have flawless timing, as does Barraco. Rob uses an organ and the playing is quite heavy, so it sounds like a mix of early Grateful Dead and Santana. With an absolute perfect guitar solo by Warren, which I believe is done with a slide. Overall, it's a great song, but lacks something, not sure what though. 4.5/5
Patchwork Quilt
Here is what I believe is Warren Haynes' masterpiece. It takes a topic that I know a lot about and just love hearing about. Jerry Garcia, the man who probably influenced more jam artists than anyone. And he is of course the guitarist/vocalist/writer/banjoist/pedal steel guitarist of The Grateful Dead. The lyrics are just beautiful. As is the playing. "Patchwork Quilt", the name, refers to Jerry Garica's life - A patchwork quilt of a life. Warren, in the beginning relates himself to Jerry, who both have an enigmatic side to them. Throughout the song Warren sings about his thoughts, and fans thoughts. Here's one of my favorite verses...
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Warren Haynes
God, how could you, I heard someone say
And what do we do with our lives now anyway?
Now that our North Star can no longer be found
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I'm also fond of the story telling that is told in these lyrics...
Quote:
But there's a banjo moon in a tie-dyed sky
Hippies dance and babies cry
Church bells ring as a silver-haired angel look down
And the blood of his music runs through the veins of our guitars
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This is a song that could turn a bad album into a great one. 5/5
Liberty
"Liberty" is an extremely catchy tune, that was written by Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter a great deal of years ago, supposably. The song opens with kind of a cruel verse, but it's just an analogy.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Garcia and Hunter
Saw a bird with a tear in his eye.
Walkin' to New Orleans, my oh my.
Hey! There bird wouldn't you rather die?
Then walk this world when you was born to fly
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It's like asking a man, but more so a soldier if he'd rather die than live with no legs when he was born to walk obviously. The song is about the bravery of soldiers wounded in combat, obviously particularly in Vietnam, because that was the big issue back then. From there on the lyrics give inspirational words to the handicapped to forget all the others, be positive, keep on, and what not. Other than the good feeling the lyrics give off, instrumentally the song is great. It's is based upon a leading bass line. And is of course supported by fantastic drumming, some background lead guitar playing, ect. Phil's voice seems fresher than ever too. I just love this song. 5/5
Midnight Train
Here is another almost Latin track, but it kind of has a scent of 80's urban pop. Mainly produced by Rob's organ styling. Warren sings and strictly plays lead. Also, the song is very smooth, but the track lacks a good sound. It is just to much of a change. Even though I realize it's hard to make a follow up to "Liberty". The solo is okay, but the song is just too not Jam Band, and is too 80's cheesy Pop. 1.5/5
Leave me Out of This
Luckily, this track pulls the album away from the previous flop. The track's bass playing, guitar playing, and vocals (By Phil) are very odd timed. Don't get me wrong, they sound fabulous, but match up strangely well. I like to turn up the bass on this track, to listen to the great writing of Phil Lesh. The main riff is an interesting one, that switches from being played by Warren, Jimmy, Rob and Phil. Which has yet to be done on There and Back Again. John Molo's drumming is sadly and greatly overlooked, but his talent surely shows on this track as well as others. He is truly underrated. Absolutely fabulous track. 5/5
Welcome to the Underground
I love the John's time signature and drumming on this track. He does use various different types of drums on this track giving it a yet to be heard sound. The song does have a tad bit of mystique to it, which is needed in at least one song on every album in my opinion. Jimmy Herring plays a little lead on this track, and it's good to hear. The man has talent, but being that Warren plays lead on most this album, he is pretty overshadowed. Also, Rob gives a fantastic solo at about three minutes in. And soon enough the song gains a large amount of heaviness, and will soon lower down. The rythm guitar playing combined with some percussion playing and the organ gives the song a very Reggae feel. It reminds me of "Exodus" by Bob Marley and The Wailers. Good song 4.9/5
Rock-n-Roll Blues
Such a risky name. It's not smart to name a Blues song after Rock in general and have it suck. But the track is great. Rob's playing really shines, especially during the intro. Each of the other musicians' playing also is done fabulously well. Including Michael Kang from neighbor Jam Band The String Cheese Incident, who leant his violin skills to the track that added so much. Need less to say the song has amazing feel, and each musician is great (Though I previously said that). But this song is without a doubt owned by the great piano skills of Rob Barraco. Great track. 5/5
In conclusion, the album is fabulous. Extremely happy, positive and filled with great jams. I'm cannot decide what to give it though. Either a 4/5 or a 4.5/5.
