JESSE McREYNOLDS & FRIENDS
SONGS OF THE GRATEFUL DEAD
Woodstock Records WR33

Bluegrass legend Jesse McReynolds explores the soul of a legend from another musical genre on his latest CD. In tribute to Jerry Garcia, the mandolin maestro makes songs from the Grateful Dead like “Standing On The Moon,” “Loser,” “Fire On The Mountain” his own on this 13cut disc. A musical idol of Jim & Jesse, Garcia likely would be smiling if he heard how the surviving brother had paid homage to the rock band’s musical legacy with unique interpretations of Garcia’s work. McReynolds picked out 12 songs that Robert Hunter composed and Garcia arranged, adding his own licks and styling and rich vocal delivery. Jesse also teamed up with Hunter to pen the new tune, “Day By Day.” Special guests David Nelson (New Riders Of The Purple Sage) and Stu Allen (JGB Band) complement with their guitar work while Jesse’s grandchildren—Garrett and Amanda McReynolds—harmonize, Tommy White picks steel guitar, the Grand Ole Opry’s Buck White jams on piano and Sandy Rothman sits in on the traditional “Deep Elem Blues.” Bluegrass meets rock in a tour de force that fans from both sides will appreciate. (Woodstock Records, P.O. Box 158, Woodstock, NY 12498, www.woodstockrecords.com.) BC