I miss Jerry so much. I can't believe it's close to 30 years, now. He's been gone, just shy of the total length of time the band was together. The best time of my life, to this day. I can still remember certain shows, like was just there.. Those shows were everything, to me. RIP!!

Watching you smiling as Jerry jams was the highlight of my day brother. This music has helped me get through the darkest of times.

His imagination was next to unlimited. He could play warm, strange, sweet, avant garde, folksy and always playful. Jerry was one of a kind.

Garcia was the son of a band leader and was well-versed in theory. But beyond the technique and theory, what I always liked was his expressiveness. There was always feeling in his playing and you always felt he was talking to you directly through his guitar. That’s pretty rare, and I think it’s why so many people are devoted.

I just can't help but to smile whenever I hear Jerry sing and play.

Thanks for this. Garcia was an outstanding musician, who is sadly often misunderstood, as well as one who was even more sadly greatly damaged by his own pain. When I read criticism of Jerry's, and the Dead's music, often I'm puzzled by the broad dislike (and in fairness often puzzled by some of the die hard fans fawning over some performances which were quite dire - Ive been to several of those in my life and they were sad to hear.). I think people often fail to realize a few things. 1) Garcia had a tremendous gift for melody; not just as a songwriter, but as an improvisor. A big part of his approach to soloing, was in line with what a Jazz musician would do: which is to rely heavily on embellishment and development of a tune's melodic material in his improvisations. A net result of this was, as the host of the channel pointed out, that the harmony is clearly illustrate during a solo 2) He was not a guitarist who wrote out his solos and came to concerts with them scripted. And I don't write that as a criticism of musicians who do that. It's a valid, and respect worthy approach. However, it's not what Garcia's playing was about. Now, with any musician who approaches soloing in such a largely (but clearly not COMPLETELY) spontaneous way, you're going to have moments of both brilliance and of, well, less than brilliance. With the Dead, virtually every performance that they every did, is pretty easily available to listen to. So you can have as good of a chance of hearing Jerry as a sublime soloist, as you do of him marginally avoiding a train wreck. This performance, from my experience, was slightly above average. Certainly solid, but not at the top of his output. Now, if you think brilliant soloists like Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, et al, didn't have their share of mediocre and crappy solos during their brilliant careers, then I have a bridge connecting San Fran to Oakland that I'd like to offer you on sale... Lastly, I often get the sense that people hear the Dead's music colored by the prejudices of what they perceived the Dead's "scene" to be. And let me be clear, there is plenty to be critical of in that scene. However, though nobody is obligated to like any music, I can not believe an honest listener could listen to the output of Garcia and Hunter and think that's it's just some vapid hippy music. Like them or not, these are cleverly crafted songs, with lyrics of deceptive depth. Songs, which frankly impress me more now than when I was a kid running to their shows

As I kick around in my mind that question "just which group is the best of the American bands?" The answer every time is, "Yeah, it's the Grateful Dead!"

Jerry's ability to play leads using the changing chords underneath, instead of just playing "over" the changes with endless pentatonics was ahead of his time. Using the chord changes to create improvised melodies that flow creatively in a lead is fundamental to good jazz players. Jerry, while playing in a kind of "rockabilly" band, was actually introducing jazz elements to rock lead playing ... a pioneer in his day.

RIP Jerry Garcia. You will always be loved.

I love Jerry’s playing so much. Especially in the late 80s. If I could listen to one guitar player ever again, it would be Jerry ❤️

Hey I wanted to say thank you for being a person that's around my age, and actually sees the magic of the grateful dead. I want to emphasize that i'ts not just Jerry creating the magic, but it's the whole band being in tune with each other, that creates the wonderful music. I've played and studied guitar for 22 years. and I can tell you to this day I still get amazed listening to random Dead shows. I would love to talk to you about music and guitar!

Great analysis. Garcia was masterful at building tension in a song and then relieving it with beautiful melodic or sometimes screaming solos. Rhythm guitarist Bob Weir provided endless variations on the theme being played. Thanks.

Jerry's one of my favorite guitarists of all time. Love his playing.

Yesss! Big dead fan. I firmly believe there is as least one Grateful Dead song somewhere in their catalog that everyone would enjoy. Jerry is very underrated as a guitarist imo

Garcia is today, probably my favorite guitarist. He just does so many things so right.

Have always loved Jerry’s tone. Remember when first heard Jerry play Eyes of the World. Blew me away as a metal kid. Love the Dead but my joy is the Jerry Garcia Band.

Jerry at his best was virtually untouchable to me, a masterful musician who oozed soul and creativity.

Wow, do I miss Dead shows! Jerry"s playing always reminded me of fine aged whiskey. The buzz is clean, slow, steady but oh so fun. I deeply appreciate you doing a breakdown on Jerry's singing and playing. Sadly, The Grateful Dead are over looked in 99.9% of music KZfaq channels. Love it!

Chord tones. That’s what separates the men from the boys. Doesn’t have to be fancy...just play to the harmony. Few rock guitarists do this, and Jerry was one of the best. I feel so fortunate to have seen the GD during their last peak before Brent OD’d. After that they really started to slip, but that old soul still came shining through Jerry’s music until the last note, warts and all. It was as real and as human as it gets. Thanks for the great video.

Jerry was in such of a league of his own and so unique to tonally that any guitarist not familiar with him listening for the first time can’t help but be enthralled.

You just fell into a rabbit hole, mate.

Very very refreshing to see a guitarist who isn't a dead fan actually give credit where credit is due. It took me many years to become the man I am today who can appreciate any GOOD guitarist!! No matter what style of music you play. This isn't the first time I've seen this gentleman talk about other guitarists I really enjoy and he seems to be able to pick up on the good techniques or tones plus it's obvious he knows his stuff. One thing I tend to loathe is a musician with a grand case of snobbery and a 50 ton ego on top. I respect this musician immensely just for having an open mind and knowing talent of all types and styles. For that he can count on me being a subscriber to this channel because I'm now genuinely interested in finding out what his thoughts are.

Jerry's 'well' runs about as deep as any player in history. He rarely if ever repeated a riff, phrase or solo unless it was part of the structure or foundation of the song itself. Even 24 years after his death more and more deadheads are being indoctrinated everyday. Quite a testament to the phenomenon of the Grateful Dead. They have given more jambands their inspiration or platform than any other musical entity by far. They are the musical sun which has given birth to a thousand stars... Recall the Days that STILL are to Come... Thank you for this Phil!

I miss Jerry every day. And the band was so locked in here. 89 was a great year.

7:36 dude can't help but smile at that lick. That's Garcia! Tearing it up!

Thanks for the video! Appreciate your thoughtful and positive approach. Would love to hear you do more videos on Jerry (as I'm sure you know, his sound and the sound of the band changed a lot throughout their 30 yr career). Cheers!

I really love it that you can not help but smile so much at it.

Some great music and playing style here. Jerry is a legend.

really enjoying your videos as of late, and Garcia just happens to be my favorite guitar player, so thanks for this. a couple of nerdy things: I think often we forget that Garcia first found his fluidity by learning bluegrass music and picking on banjo, and I think that plays out a lot in his approach to guitar soloing, lots of single notes, fast runs, arpeggios etc. Also, when he did use a pick he liked heavy picks, again it's back to the hands and how to use em. he was a master and I think in many ways underrated because he comes with that Deadhead stigma (although I am proud to be one :) )

Great Analysis Phil!!! This video makes me a bit sad (and grateful at the same time). I am fortunate enough to have lived during Jerry's time on earth and seen 113 shows between '82-'95. For that I am Grateful. I am sad because after watching your smiles/reactions to Jerry's work, I keep thinking you would of LOVED to see Jerry live. (Especially his Solo work). AWESOME analysis. Awesome video. Need to subscribe and watch more of your stuff. Cheers!

While I've never really been a Dead fan, I gotta admit that they seem to be an often overlooked band for their technical playing. When everyone in the band was focused, they could really deliver a great show. This video seems to have captured a focused moment and they really sound great. I've always thought that the Dead and the Allman Brothers were the best of the original "jam bands". Both groups had the ability to stretch out in the middle of a song and just ride the music to wherever it took them that night...

One thing people miss about Jerry's "soloing" is that he is reacting in real time to whatever weird chords Bob Weir is playing, or the shifting sands of Phil Lesh's bass lines, or the echo of his own notes as they bounce off or achieve resonance with the room and audience. I think most guitarists want a nice solid predictable bass and drums so they can rip off some nice lines. Except for a few years between 71-74, The Grateful Dead were constitutionally incapable of providing such a solid base for Garcia. In truth, I think Garcia was quite comfortable negotiating the chaos, which occassionally paid off in unique and thrilling performances, or epic train wrecks, or boring noodling. Either way, it wasn't a SHOW... it was real.

Jerry gives his heart & soul into all he sings. His last show no matter what some say & being right that he was in a bad place he could still give you those moments that could bring you to tears or smile ear to ear. I swear that So Many Roads & Black Muddy then Box which he wasnt lead on but were prophetic as he knew he just knew. Miss you Pappa Bear,

Can't really talk about the greatness of Jerry without recognizing the solid foundation laid down by Bob Weir. Seriously underrated rhythm guitarist.

Great breakdown. You just earned a fan. He was/is magical. You never knew where he would go show to show. He has so many solos that leave you in awe. So many. So many roads to ease my soul.

The Dead always put me in my happy place. Was introduced to Terrapin Station in college and it’s still my go to for chilling out! Great vid.. thanks man!

jerry garcia was as good as any lead player ever born, so melodic

There is some very thought out points in what this guy said an he knows what hes talking about. There is also a lot of well stated points in the comments so thank you for that. I am reading some though that are so critical an ridiculous. The Dead are one of the greatest bands that have ever embarked on this road of life an those who have never been in front of 100,000 fans night to night dont got a bit of judgement to put on anyone. They are solid a.f. an I only wish he could have stuck around a little longer in this world.

Your smile during the solo towards the end of the video says it all

Thank you. You summed up Jerry's style in a way ,I , as an old drummer , never understood. I never understood why he was so good, and not "flashy", like most players of the early 70"s. Been a Deadhead all my adult life, your point about how "easy" Jerry was to listen to, was spot on. In the early to mid 70"s we could confuse one lead players solo's with another, on the radio, but Jerry's style was instantly recognizable, even if we never heard the rest of the song or band. I enjoyed your expert analysis, in helping me understand why so many of us loved his music. Thanks again, your very good at what you do...continued success with your channel, and cheers, thumbs up.

Admittedly or not . . I think I just witnessed someone become a bit of a Dead Head

Great video! ‘77 was when the whole band was on fire

Great read on Jerry as a rhythm player. Your analysis before the first solo is nuts on. Your reaction to things you like Is great

Yes. I agree. Jerry has he most soothing vocals I can recall. I have come to love your show. 💔 ❤️‍🩹

The Fat Man Rocked

No one put notes together like Jerry. his combinations are befuddling to me as I have tried to learn them. it's not just scales, it's a way of placing notes tonally that no one else seems to have done.. this is what makes him an original and a master also. It's not just the sound but the the way the notes are combined that enable you to recognize his playing.

Seeing you smile at Jerrys playing is what its partly all about.

I love that you talk of him as if he's still in the present. Great channel!

Just stumbled upon this video and channel by accident. Glad I did though. Good job man🤘! Jerry was a master!

jerry is a master !

Bless you, my brother. Appreciate the fine analysis of one of my favorite players.

I love watching people light up and smile when they hear Jerry play a solo. If you really want to smile, analyze "Help on the Way"

I am 60 years old and first saw the Dead in 1973. Caught them many times thru the 70's and 80's and was never disappointed. Jerry (and the rest of the band) were one of the original's. The world became much poorer when he passed. Thnx for a trip down memory lane.

I'm glad you get it.

Love seeing young people, especially non Americans, appreciate Jerry for the incredible Artist he is.

Jerry is the gift that keeps on giving! You’re either a Head or behind

Man, I miss Jerry! He had such a great supporting cast, especially Bobby and Phil, that it freed him up to go wherever he wanted, knowing those guys had his back and could lead him back if need be. I had a friend who called his playing (soloing) "the most wonderful, improvisational noodling ever"! We joked about that for years.........Jerry gone "cosmic noodling"

Really nice analysis of Jerry’s playing. When I saw him play, it struck me how he would turn a knob up or down, maybe flick a switch here and there, for subtle changes. But the coolest thing was the way he played with his fingers, and would rest the pick between his stub and second finger. He would finger pick through part of a song and then he could pull out the pick for a different sound. During the song “They Love Each Other” , he would use the pick on the low E while plucking the B and high E with his fingers. Then return the pick back to its resting place. As they say he had tone In his fingers.

I absolutely love his rambling freestyle. Clean... Flowing.... Up and down the fretboard... Greatful dead. Lyrics .. Simple.. We the people style.. Plus the tailgate partying started couple days before the dead arrive for thier gig... And those tailgate partying was amazing ... All the gurllllll ... Tie die t shirts... Dead head... Brotherrrrrrr..

I seen the Dead on their first tour in 1967, I'm still smiling from that day, and I've seen a lot of the great ones, Buddy Holly, (3 day before the plane crash 1959) Jimmy Page with the Yardbird, Jimi, Jeff Beck, Alvin Lee, Mike Bloomfield, pluss many great blues men, like John Lee Hooker, Paul Buterfield/Mike Bloomfield (I mentioned Mike Bloomfield again, give a Listen to East West album/song its all good), Eric Clapton with Cream, and many more..but Jerry could and would play anything, and just make you smile.. what a long strange trip its been !!!! thanx for this posting !!!

Awesome, I always appreciate some Jerry love

Jerry knocked it out of the park so many times. 😀

I'm glad you chose this one, they were really clicking... always love those years with Brent, the best keyboard/backing vocalist of all time

it was so cool to see you enjoying a song you'd never heard! thank you. love this review!!!

Man I miss Jerry ! So glad you did this . I've learned a lot of guitar from growing up listening to the Grateful Dead . Thank you so much ! PEACE

Damn, I miss Jerry.

Another great video Fil. RIP Jerry Garcia. He gave us a lot of great music.

"Going on the journey with the cords". Some of the best and most accurate words that I've possibly ever heard regarding music and Jerry. Cheers

I have always thought of Jerry as a melodic player. He would color outside of the lines alot and always make it sound like it fit.

Jerry could really play! I was never a fan of the band at all but he can certainly play really well. As you said, very relaxed vocals.

I so love your insights! I've rewatched this a few times now. Thank you!

Welcome to my summer after college. I was at this show. I'm the guy going, "Wooooooo!!!!!".

The Dead were a "Dance Band". Saw them a few times and as soon as the first note sounded, the crowd was a boppin' until the last note faded away. I like to compare them to the "big bands" of the 40's and 50's. Imagine Benny Goodman taking a 5 minute solo on the licorice stick

There was a common saying "there is nothing like a Grateful Dead concert" which got fans relating their peak concert experience. No band played live to as many people before or since, they tours very long schedules and usually 3 performance per city, and half the audience traveled to 4-10 cities, attending every night. The reason was very well crafted songs played with artistic variations each time, 3 performances with completely different music per set. How many bands had 600 great original songs that fans would beg to be played. They limited each tour to about 200 songs but no set list. Any member of the band could decide on the next song by introducing a few notes of a song he suggested, a few bars later a couple more notes of the new song, and by the time the full band had keyed on the new song, many in the audience had figured it out and the band would intermix the current and next song melody in the most tasteful segues ever. The band did not like to record, they were a live band so the live shows featured, from the beginning, the best sound systems in the world, many times completely new designed that changed how concert sound was done. The famous Wall of Sound for example, or later the original research that John Myers did that lead to Myers Sound Systems, the premier systems today for concert halls and touring sound systems. They did record some great albums but there was nothing like the concert. If one wanted to hear recordings of 2 two able sets done live in relatively small venues over a couple nights checkout Dead Set for electric music and the next night all acoustic with Reckoning. I lived near them in San Francisco in the 60s and moved up to Marin by 70, since SF was getting overrun with kids coming just for the drugs and rock&rock which sort of killed the scene. Many of us moved up to Marin and I had a recording studio there so got to know all the musicians who arrived into that different scene. I never recorded the band, but was doing major acts like Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Wonder, Heart, Santana etc.....but the one band I attended live shows for no matter where was the Dead. My best musical memories were of those concerts and the variations on the themes of the songs. You would see many of the same people all 3 nights in cities a thousand miles apart. Promoters had no ad budgets...tickets were all sold out for many shows before locals even had a chance to hear there would be a concert series. I knew many bands and artists but Dead was a different level of personal attachment. Their music lives on with millions of tapes recording during the shows, which they encouraged much to the displeasure of their label, Capital. The band even made console aux outputs for tapers to plug into. Once the dead were going to have 3 nights in NYC and I flew a group of producers and engineers out from California just to show them they were dismissing the band as a loose "hippy band" and they were impressed with the musicality and very well crafted songs. They were blown away with the best rhythm section in rock. Between Phil's classical training applied to bass and Mickey's depth of ethnic percussion and Bill' rock steady powerful locomotive of rock drumming together perfection, called the "rhythm devils". But the heart of the band, was Jerry Garcia. In the early days, he plays somewhere live every night of the week, sitting with bluegrass bands, rock, Americana, anything.All the bands out of SF in the 60s were playing every night and of not at the music halls like Family Dog, Filmore, Avalon Ballroom, The Matrix, The Straight Theater, and Ark. And if there was not a show to play, they played on Speedway Meadows in the Golden Gate Park for free. The unique thing about the music scene in SF and Marin was that every band was unique. No one copied anyone else. There was nothing like a Grateful Dead concert....

Wish you could have seen him in person! It was magic

Always enjoy your videos; thanks for taking the time to make this one. Jerry has always been one of my favorite musicians.

Free time, chore time, and driving are often spent listening and relaxing to the Dead. Lots of fanciful interplay like jazz musicians in their extended repetoire.

Very good analysis if you want to hear more go listen to the 05/08/77 Cornell show especially both set closers, Dancing in the streets to close out the 1st and Morning Dew that closed out the 2nd. Both were phenomenal

once again fil your spot on with jerrys leads he plays the melody rather than a single key which i prefer greatly thanks again

Love that rollicking lead guitar line. It just rocks along like a train on the tracks. Great video and analysis!

I saw a lot of great bands back in the day, including the Beatles and the Stones. I love those two groups, but they were disappointing live. I saw the Dead multiple times and they were always fantastic live. Their groove just rolled out through the audience. I read somewhere that they hold the record in rock for live audience box office numbers. And of course that was just counting the people who paid, not the people who snuck in!

good stuff, JerrBear was and still IS the man! peace

Most of all, I love how much you are enjoying his music. Your smile is what it's all about.

Got on the bus and didnt look back. Greatest band ever!!!! Period!!!!!!!

Always had a soft spot for G. Dead. Granted, their jams could go on forever...and beyond, but under those heavy all colour acid clouds lurked some serious musical ability. Great choice and spot on comments!

I watched Jerry many times being a Dead head ; but one concert in particular back when he played a Stratocaster there were sparks flying off the fretboard he was on his game that night ...and everyone was blown out it was so good !

The people who disliked this don't know which button to hit for astonished by awesomely, innovation provoking, American gems like this. Thank you. Love ❤ The Grateful Dead!

Jerry and Bob what a great lead and rhythm guitar combo, right there with Lennon and Harrison. Another nice video, thanks

One of my favorite ways to introduce an eager listener is to play the studio version of "Playin in the Band," then hunt down literally ANY live version on KZfaq (or whatever) from '72 or '73 and start it at 3:30. Invariably that is when the song proper melts into fifteen, twenty minutes of improv. It always produces a fun reaction when the band finally finishes up!

I’ve been listening to the Dead since 67 which is about the same time I bought my first guitar. Only managed to see them once, at Bickershaw in 72. They were outstanding. You should listed to Live Dead, recorded in 67, it’s a whole different sound, more edgy and experimental, but the tonality is still there. It’s the record that started me of on the never ending dead head road. Fifty years on I’m still listening to them, playing their records, learning their tunes. Whilst Garcia always takes the limelight as the lead player, I’ve as much admiration for Weir and Lesh. Lesh is probably the finest electric bass player there ever was.

This from JFK summer 89 tour. I was at this show. Rocked. The Blow Away with Brent is also amazing.

Thanks Mate, nice review of Alpine Valley, Wisconsin 1989, Brent and Jerry get together smiles foe Mikes miss you all so rip to brent, jerry, & again thanks for keeping the music ALIVE!!! CHEERS,

one of the best rock singers ever

Yeah Garcia circa 1971-73 is my favorite. Check out his solos in Hard to Handle during that period. Pinnacle stuff.

Smoking deal!!! I love Jerry’s playing and tone, he was amazing! Nice video and comments on his playing, a lot of players don’t give him the credit he clearly deserves:) peace🕉

Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile. Great review!

Alpine Dead is awesome!

Thanks for doing this, you do have a sharp ear along with an open mind. Your videos are great. I'd love to see one on Trey Anastasio, lead guitar of Phish

It's all in fingers and heart baby.. Jerry was blessed :)

Thanks fil enjoyed the breakdown