[.ca] Laughing Water

From Amazon.com:
Without offense to the often-brilliant lyricist Robert Hunter, it's always the singing and the words that ring hollow when another band tries to replicate the Grateful Dead experience. With all those pesky words out of the way, Jazz Is Dead are free to lay down 62 minutes of sweeping funk fusion. Not merely a pale imitator, this ferocious quintet adds to the creative process by injecting its own adventurous spirit into the Dead's music, not to mention an assortment of masterful chops. Here the group tackles 1973's Wake of the Flood, one of the Dead's most nuanced records, and the musicians themselves seem to delight in the music's subtle twists (check out bassist Alphonso Johnson's cascading lines in "Row Jimmy"). Even the forgotten "Let Me Sing Your Blues Away" becomes a joyous, organ-fueled romp thanks to T Lavitz's keyboard work. Guitarist Jimmy Herring handles both the restrained vocal parts and the frenzied leads with aplomb. And besides, any chance to hear one of Bill Monroe's old Blue Grass Boys (fiddler Vassar Clements, who appeared on the original album) soar atop the throbbing bass of a former Weather Report member is worth the price of admission. --Marc Greilsamer

Very Nice, But Ain't Nothin' Like The Real Thing, Baby:
If you're a jazz fan and wonder if your Deadhead pals just might be on to something, check this out. I suspect you'll find it's decent fusion but won't make a believer out of you. If you're a Dead fan and wonder how this measures up, I think you'll again realize that, once you've tasted the ecstacy of Garcia's genius, you can never be truly satisfied with anything else, let alone faux-Dead. It will only leave you thirsting for the real stuff. Jimmy Herring is a very fine fusion guitarist with a genuine appreciation for the Master, but if you listen to his solos and then listen to the way Garcia handled the same tunes, you'll notice that Garcia could do more emotionally with six notes than Herring can do with all his impressive runs. In fact, that's the major drawback right there; the Dead at their best are intensely emotional, while this is melodic, technically proficient, smooth --and cold. It's not their fault; no one can raise the Dead. Sorry.

It's a Good Thing:
It seems when people cover the Dead they always try to sound to true to the original... that's not what I consider creative. But when a group of hardcore jammers like Jazz is Dead play they put a new spin on things. JiD play tunes with their own interpretations... they know it is futile to try and match the magic that Jerry, Phil, Bobby, et al put forth on stage, so they make the music their own. It's awesome. The hightlights include "Row Jimmy" "Eyes of the World" and a killer "Weather Report Suite"

Grateful Dead Muzak:
OK, I really, really, really tried to like this. Really. I mean, these guys are gods in the world of improvisational music. But "Jazz is Dead" is the name of this band, and the music is just that...dead, lifeless, uninspired. It's like these guys never listened to bootlegs; they've just copied studio Dead, and you know what that is like. Flawless musicianship, great mixing and perfect engineering do not a good album make. If you like the energy of moe. or Uncle Sammy or String Cheese Incident, you'll be disappointed with this album.

Best of Both Worlds:
If you like jazz, particularly fusion, or if you`re a Deadhead, rabid or casual, this CD is for you. Stunning instrutmental versions of the Dead`s Wake of the Flood album, highlighted by Jimmy Herring`s otherworldly guitar licks, Alphonso Johnson`s bass groove, the keyboards of T.Lavitz and the drums of Rod Morgenstein and Jeff Sipe, create a aural delight. First off the players, boasting impressive pedigrees, show that these are no hacks doing one off covers. Jimmy Herring`s resume is virtual tour of who`s who in the Jam band world, having been a member of the eclectic Aquarium Rescue Unit with Col.Bruce Hampton, touring with the Allman Brothers Band, and soon to be touring with Phil and Phriends, his playing can at times threaten to change everything you thought you knew about guitar playing. Alphonso Johnson has been involved with Weather Report and Santana, T.Lavitz who was a member of fusion pioneers Dixie Dregs, Widespread Panic and Starship, and Rod Morgenstein, also of the Dregs, and Jeff Sipe, a member of ARU and Leftover Salmon. There are also guests Vassar Clements violin God, one time Dead back up vocalist Donna Godchaux, guitarist Steve Kimock, who makes an explosive duo with Jimmy, and present ABB member and guitar jedi, Derek Trucks. Then the music. Taking one of the Dead`s more explorative albums, JID takes it to an even higher level, showing that when take incredible music, add extroadinary musicians, it can create a masterpiece that can warp your mind. This just proves that music is music, and in the right hands even wonderful music can create something equally beautiful. This should also serve to whet your appetite for their new soon to released project for their upcoming tour, where they will be doing acoustic versions of two more classic CD`s in the Dead canon Workingman`s Dead and American Beauty. What a live set that would be.

AMAZING!:
A a true music fan, I only reserve five stars for a truley amazing album, Laughing Water is no exception. JID brings new life to these GD tunes. The band is extremley tight and go off on these tunes. Jimi Herring is unreal, his solos tear the roof off each song. Derek Trucks makes an appearance on Row Jimmy and Here Comes Sunshine, his solos are so intense I soil myself everytime I hear them. The final couple of minutes of Row Jimmy where Jimmi and Derek trade solos is probabally the most intense thing I have ever listened to in my life. T Lavitz is amazing on the keys and Alfonso Johnson keeps the bass lines tight and interesting. Jeff Sipe and Rod Morgenstien are sick drummers who add a whole new dimension to these Dead songs. On top of all this the whole album is live which demonstrates just how nasty this band is. Buy this CD, I promise that you will not regret it, and if you get a chance to see them live GO! , they put on a great show.

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