Jerry on Jerry

An insightful and enjoyable listen for Deadheads and music fans alike. Dennis McNally combed through the Grateful Dead archives in California and found some truly enlightening and candid interviews from Jerry and compiled them into this fun audiobook. It was a great experience getting to hear Jerry in his own words talk about a variety of topics from Neal Cassidy to the Catholic Church to gay bars to LSD. A quick listen at only 4 discs, but a time well spent. Th audiobook also has an extra disc with a PDF of images and other items found in the printed book.

JAMerica

As a newbie on the scene, this book was completely eye opening. It talked about how the jam band scene grew out of the Grateful Dead and found it's footing in some bars in New York and how it spread by word of mouth. I had no idea that the Spin Doctors were a jam band, no idea! I grew up loving them, but my idea of "jam band" was a little warped. The author/editor of this compilation of interviews does a great job discussing the "definition" of jam band and the controversy surrounding it. Not all musicians want to be known as jam bands, because the term can be limiting. Overall this was a wonderful book that helped me appreciate and understand the scene even more.

Why The Grateful Dead Matter

If you had asked me a decade ago if I ever thought that I'd be listening to The Grateful Dead or any other hippie jam band music I most likely would have laughed. I grew up a heavy metal kid and even though I am still a fan of screaming guitar and growling vocals, I've begun to branch out more musically as of late (we all have friends who are bad influences). Had I not read any other Grateful Dead material before this or had a tried and true Deadhead as a friend I would have had a hard time understanding what in the hell was going on in this collection. It's composed of 34 short essays on why The Grateful Dead is more than "just a band." The author talks about their live performances, their humble beginnings, their drug use, the academic study of them and the cult following they created. It's a touching tribute but I don't think that many non-Deadheads will be converted, it's a tribute for the millions of fans already out there. Some essays were miles better than others but this little collection will still please many a hippie and will have Dead heads nodding their heads in agreement at the amazingness and importance of the Dead.

I received this book for free from Library Thing in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.

Fare Thee Well

Deadheads who were unable to attend the 50th anniversary Grateful Dead farewell tour will go nuts over this beautiful coffee table book. Those who were lucky enough to attend the sold out two city tour will also find themselves clambering for this gorgeously photographed memento. Photographer Jay Blakesberg, a lifelong Deadhead, does a wonderful job capturing each night of the tour, outlining the set-list, and highlighting the musicians and the fans in their element. The quality of the photos and the emotions they capture make this book worth every penny. Blakesberg captures shots during rehearsals, on stage, off stage, in the stands, with the fans, as well as some stuning aerial views. For an additional treat, Bill Walton writes the foreword, David Lemieux writes the afterword, and the interspersed essays are by Gary Lambert. All in all it's a magnificent treat for any dedicated Deadhead and an essential addition to every Grateful Dead library.

So Many Roads

When it comes to the Grateful Dead, I am a novice and a half. I know maybe four songs, their artwork, Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia, and stories of their rampant drug abuse. That was about the sum total of Dead knowledge I had before listening to this audiobook. I am happy to say that this book was a crash course in understanding the Dead lore, history, music, and legend. I will never be the world's biggest fan, but I most definitely appreciate the Grateful Dead more than ever before. This book pieces together the band's 50 year history and sheds light on all the members, the music, and the drama. Confusing at times (it's not always told in the most linear fashion), but worthwhile, this book is a must read for any Deadhead and a great introduction for newbies like me. It was comprehensive, but not overwhelming, and has definitely converted me to the dark side :)

I received this book for free from Library Thing in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.