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2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Just as much a Warren Haynes CD as a Phil Lesh one Feb 20, 2006 Not that this is a bad thing. As a Bassist who does some harmony vocals, Lesh is not in the spotlight as often as lead guitarist and vocalist Haynes, from Allman Brothers and Gov't Mule fame. Disc one is the studio set with all new material. Haynes does a tribute to Jerry Garcia on "Patchwork Quilt" and it is memorable. Haynes has taken this song and done it live with Gov't Mule and the Allman Brothers and it has become of his better known songs. Disc 2 is the live set, including a lengthy Dark Star.
There are 2 versions of this set sold- you can get the studio CD by itself or as part of the 2 CD set. Deadheads will definitely want the 2 CD set with the strong live jams SO IF YOU ARE GOING TOBUY IT, GET THE RIGHT ONE.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Blend of the Allman Brothers/Grateful Dead... Dec 28, 2004 This is really a collaboration between Lesh and Warren Haynes which is the reason why this album sounds like a blend of the Allman Brothers/Grateful Dead. There is some great music here. Plus if you're a Deadhead or you're in the mood for some long jams there is a bonus 4 track disk that includes a 25 minute version of Dark Star.
0 of 17 found the following review helpful:
PHEWWW WHAT A LAME CD Jan 16, 2004 This is lift musik with pretentions. It is as ballsy as a LIBERACE CD. Musicaly as challenging as anything by the OSMONDS. The frightening thing is that it took some of my favourite musicians ( HERRING / HAYNES ) to concoct this mess. As my copy cost about a 1,- $, it was at least priced correctly. Sometimes not having a definable style is a bonus as you can attack any genre you like on your CD, in this case it is not an attack it is a killing. Only the HAYNES songs have any merit what so ever, but he does his thing much better on his own CD. The rest is superb if you are an insomniac. This CD can put you back to sleep about 5 minutes after rising. Lucky for me I know a DEAD head ( he would buy and enjoy anything to do with the DEAD, if GERRY farted for about 30 minutes, I swear he would buy the bootleg.) He now loves this CD, as I knew he would. Please do yourself a favour and give this drivel a wide berth. If you must buy DEAD musik, check out JAZZ IS DEAD and there reworkings of older DEAD material.
6 of 6 found the following review helpful:
Best New Rock Album in Ages!!! Oct 29, 2002 Reading the 20 other reviews preceding mine, I'm surprised at how divided the opinions are. I think the formula is... if you're an older Deadhead looking to repeat the Magic that was, and still is, the Grateful Dead, you'll be disinterested in the (first) CD full of wondrous new material, but "Grateful" for Bonus Disc 2 (and everyone agrees that you should get the special Limited Edition), which trods in faithful Dead territory. If you're an open-minded listener thirsting for music that is brand new, yet somehow strikes a familiar chord, then you will love this new CD, which i.m.h.o. is The Best New Album of Good Ol', Downhome, Straight-Ahead Rock in maybe 20 years. I've been following GD music since 1970, heard some awesome live shows, but as a singer-player-songwriter myself, I've always sought diversity. The fact is, it's getting harder & harder to do anything really ORIGINAL in the "pop" music arena anymore, especially since the name of the game is "Give 'em what they want"; I think Phil & co. have succeeded on both counts in a big way. Phil is admittedly proud of this record, as he says in the cyber-interview you can see if you buy the Ltd.Ed.,"...if I had to pick one or two songs from this album, I couldn't, because I think every song stands on its own, makes an impression..." It's really wonderful; 62 years old, after a life-saving transplant surgery, and here's Phil, still rocking with terrific, vital, fresh material, and...ON THE ROAD AGAIN!!! You've just gotta hand it to him; Phil Lesh is a real Rock & Roll Legend, just like Jerry Garcia. And the songs are great---Robert Hunter is in fine form, fabulous guitar playing from Haynes & Herring, grooves you won't lose... To the reviewer who called this "elevator music", I say: TURN IT UP, and you WILL be ELEVATED!!! Personal faves: "Night of 1000 Stars"-a HIT, it COOKS! "Again & Again"-special mood, great chorus; "No More Do I"-great groove, unforgettable vocal hook; "Patchwork Quilt"-lovely tribute to Jerry G., did you ever hear a Waltz or a 6/8 ROCK like that? Warren Haynes is so soulful, excellent vocals throughout the album. "Midnight Train"-haunting changes, a slick funky groove reminiscent of Steely Dan at their peak; "Rock-n-Roll Blues"-ragtimey shuffle a-la "Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo". "Liberty", while perhaps topping the Dead's version on "So Many Roads" as far as tightness of the arrangement goes, for my taste, the vocal treatment is a bit too "pretty" for this song and lacks the raw guttiness of Garcia's vocal, but it's a minor point. This CD SHINES with more than the holographic spectral colors of its surface. Repeated listening will reward the attentive, even the spaced-out, listener. This music downloads itself right into your soul. And... you can BOOGIE to it! One interesting note: The title "There & Back Again" carries with it a few meanings, from the way a jamband like the Dead takes you "out there" and brings you "back again", to how Phil is living a "second life" after his close call. But something else comes to mind. In the fabulous documentary video "Anthem to Beauty" (a must-see), we witness the conflict that was between Phil Lesh and Warner Bros. exec Joe Smith, who wanted the Dead to "cut the weirdness" and craft accessible pop songs to reach the radio audience. By the time "American Beauty" was recorded, the Dead were moving more in that direction, led off by Lesh & Hunter's beautiful folk-rock classic "Box of Rain". Now, 30 years later, Phil has come full circle to the point where he's released an unabashedly "pop" album loaded with great songs, but also continues as The Elder Statesman of all those who love to JAM, and these songs will also work their way into "the flow", right alongside "Dark Star" and "Eyes of the World". There and back again, indeed... Somewhere, Jerry Garcia, and even Joe Smith, are smiling.
Fall in to the Phil zone... Aug 23, 2002 This CD grows on me with every playing. I was eager to see what this incredible lineup could pull off in the studio, and I'm not the least bit disappointed. Very different from seeing them live (and if you get the chance to do that and miss it, you should kick yourself). But that's a good thing; instead of just trying to jam in the studio without an audience, they have made an album of fine material that showcases their virtuosity and rapport without sounding overthought or overproduced. This is top-notch rock and roll. And as others have said, do get the limited edition for the bonus tracks, because you can never have too much live Phil. And get out and see the band, because nothing lasts forever and they have the power to make you laugh, cry, and dance like you never have.
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