Garcia's declining heath and unfortunate addiction to a particularly potent form of heroin took much away from many performances during the last few years of his life. Jerry became too human right before the eyes of many Deadheads. Garcia's fingers sometimes struggled and fumbled their way around the guitar neck, and more intricate passages such as the diminished arpeggios in Slipknot! became a painful- even tragic- listen at times. The studio brilliance that appeared on Unbroken Chain decades earlier did not surface on the live versions of the song when it finally debuted in 1995; Garcia, despite his guitar abilities continuing to progress through the first few tours of the Nineties, was unable (or simply unwilling) to outline the chord changes of the jazzy lead break with his formerly adept and inspired playing. On many solos- perhaps due to carpal tunnel syndrome, a loss of sensitivity in his fingertips, malaise, or just plain boredom - Jerry would tend to utilize notes that were a half-step away from his intended targets, thus creating an unintended dissonance where there was formerly a lyrical consonance.
There were still moments and shows that were indeed sublime- the version of Visions of Johanna from the 1995 Spectrum run and many shows during October 1994 come to mind- but these moments were certainly fewer and farther between. These moments, however, are still worth seeking out- to entirely dismiss the years 1993-1995 would deprive a listener of some quality music.
Garcia's vocals unfortunately followed the same sad path in the later years. He often mumbled his way through rock numbers that the Dead had been performing regularly for decades. Garcia himself certainly recognized this- anyone who plays at a high level for so long must- but the tapes suggest that Garcia may have tried to compensate by taking the Dead's mournful ballads to new levels with his singing voice as his guitar voice and vocal prowess on other numbers diminished. See So Many Roads- perhaps the lone highlight from the final Grateful Dead performance at Soldier Field- for an example of Garcia crying to the Lord on vocals and mustering what remains of his guitar ability on a night when he otherwise fell flat. Garcia died exactly one month later.
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
wow - terrific, comprehensive, perceptive job Jim, and spectacular pics by Susan - thanks so much!
2 - uao
This really is a supurb article.
Garcia's appeal relied on two things, his musicianship, and that intangible something few have been able to put words to. Great job in putting words to both.
When I read Miles Davis' autobiography, shortly after Davis died and shortly before Garcia did, it was interesting to me which rock performers Davis slammed (most), and which (very few) he respected.
Davis had kind words about Garcia and his abilities (in the 60's and 70's); I was impressed by that very much.
3 - Lono
We (heads) are everywhere. I was at Iron Maiden Tuesday night (review in here somewhere) and I was wearing a Dead tee, as it had been 10 years since he passed. When I got to my seats, I was surrounded by all these people in Dead shirts. It was really cool, because that is certainly not the crowd you would imagine at a Maiden show.
Somehow, though, we were all there to enjoy the music and remember Jerry.
4 - Natalie Davis
Terrific piece. You zeroed in on the complicated essence and wonder of Jerry Garcia, musician, masterfully. Thank you.
5 - godoggo
I'm surprisingly inclined to agree with a lot of this, although I haven't got much use for his singing, and I'm also pretty sure that their main appeal was non musical (that's why their shows did so much better than their records; even some of my punk rock friends enjoyed the parking lot scene). Essentially what you're saying is that he had some of the qualities of a good jazz player. Personally, though, I'd rather listen to musicians with a bit more of those qualities, if you know what I'm saying.
6 - godoggo
By the way, I recall seeing Miles praise Kenny G. in his later years, so take it for what it's worth.
7 - Jim McCoy
Thanks to all who had kind words about the article...and for the record, I saw Iron Maiden last month as well!
8 - Temple Stark
Music Editor Temple Stark picked this for an Editor's Pick of the Week. Go find out why HERE and grab a button.
Paired it with Ms. Davis' piece on the same matter.
Thank you.
9 - Julie Spigel
Here I sit reading this and still miss Jerry as much as I did the day after he died. Everything is moving here but much too slowly, a little bit quicker and we might have time to say how do you do before we are left behind -Hunter/Garcia
10 - j
I like the article overall, and I agree with most of it. I think pointing out that Garcia's journey on his instrument was almost totally derailed is important, and not often discussed; however, the author's synopsis on the last year of his playing life is a bit ridiculous. Many of the Dead's songs have extremely simple progressions, and part of Garcia's artistry was making his solos sound different using a very limited amount of notes. As the author mentioned using the Branford 3-29-90 concerts that appeared on Without A Net, when Garcia was allowed to roam harmonically (when the tune had some lush chord progressions),he could be a great player, displaying his vast knowledge of theory and feeling for exploration.
Perhaps toward the end of his life, he intentionally plays some notes sharp or flat in rebellion against some of the songs with the overly simple progressions (that is my theory) because after playing an instrument for 35 years you don't just start missing notes. Perhaps what's even more likely, is that his malaise was caused by the fact that Garcia was a junkie and lucky to live as long as he did. Unfortunately, his musicianship was not grounded deeply enough to keep his playing as his top priority, so in comparison with Bill Evans or Charlie Parker, both junkies, Garcia comes up way short. Both Evans and Parker had incredible facility right up to their demise unlike Garcia
In addition, I'd like to know where the author learned Garcia suffered from carpal tunnel. I hadn't heard that. Some background and elaboration is really necessary here. If that is true, that would definitely explain the loss of dexterity, and since Garcia's instrument was not the lightest, it would lead to a more sluggish sound.
11 - Jeff Davidson
here's one link on the carpal tunnel. I"m sure there are others:
here
12 - jp
That link was wonderful, but mentions carpel tunnel not even once. In that book, Jerry tells about exercises he did to avoid carpal, but no mention of him getting it.
13 - Jeff Davidson
nor does the article, which says "perhaps due to carpal tunnel syndrome,"
perhaps means "maybe" - you've completely mischaracterized what the author said.
14 - mikey_n
Thanks for this wonderful piece. I grew up in the 60's but I can listen to very little 60's music today outside of Jerry and the Dead. Why? "he is reaching back into the very core of American music as he plays, serving as a medium as he projects the ghosts of musical days gone by into the audience. " Jerry represents the quintessential American troubador, a conveyer of musical history and tradition from one generation to the next and from one culture to the next. For that reason his music, with all its flaws and rough spots, endures forever.
15 - mikey_n
It is a great piece, as I mentioned, but there is an important omission: Phil Lesh! No one should talk about Jerry's music with the Dead without mentioning Phil Lesh, who is a highly trained, inventive and sensitive musician and one of the great pioneers on electric bass. Without Phil, even WITH Jerry's guitar, the Dead's music would often indeed be just "an inconsistent, acid-drenched and pedestrian effort"
16 - steve
Garcia was amazing. I have always respected his songcraft and guitar abilities.
I cant believe that it has been ten years.
what a loooooong strange trip its been!
17 - filthman
what a load of old rubbish...the fatman rocked and always will.
18 - Dano
Fantastically written and memorable piece that does our long-lost brother allot of justice...he was a kind soul and master of his craft...let's all cut him some slack for human failings, eh?
{:-)Unless you think you could fill his shoes(-;} Yeah, I thought so. TOO BIG!
BTW:
I distinctly remember reading somewhere about him seeking chiropractic care for his dibilitating carpal tunnel problems for years.
Apparently he did not get allot of relief though.
FWIW:
If you have carpal tunnel issues drop me a line as there is/can be a simple solution, if you earnestly follow through with what worked for me.
Thanx Jerr...You are sorely missed around here!!!
It was/is all about the MUSIC, people...
THAT's what made shows into festivals and a "party"!
Yep...and it's worth repeating:
The Grateful~ly Dead~icated ARE everywhere!
{%^)Look, there goes one now!(^%}
JAM ON!