Personnel: Jerry Garcia (guitar, vocals); David Grisman (mandolin); Jim Kerwin (bass); Joe Craven (percussion, fiddle). Recorded in Spring, 1991. Although Jerry Garcia will forever be most associated with the Grateful Dead's lysergic explorations, the guitarist began his career as a bluegrass-obsessed folk picker. The self-titled album by Garcia and mandolin virtuoso David Grisman is a showcase both for Garcia's own wide-ranging influences and Grisman's similarly eclectic style, the combination of folk, jazz, and rock the latter calls "dawg" music. The rollicking duet "Grateful Dawg" is the clear highlight of this acoustic set, recorded in a single day with Grisman sidemen Jim Kerwin on bass and Joe Craven on fiddle and occasional percussion. However, familiar songs like the Grateful Dead mainstay "Friend of the Devil" and Irving Berlin's "Russian Lullaby" (one of Garcia's favorite songs, which he had previously recorded on his solo debut) also benefit from the relaxed, playful vibe. The lengthy solos and melodic improvisations of the 16-minute closing track, "Arabia," will feel familiar to anyone who's heard more than one version of the Dead's epic "Dark Star."
Thrill Is Gone, The Grateful Dawg Two Soldiers Friend Of The Devil Russian Lullaby Dawgs Waltz Walkin Boss Lucero Arabia