Stratafied
Dr. Stratster
Whadda ya think?
I think Jerry Garcia was an underrated guitarist.
- Thread starter Stratafied
- Start date
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Such Friends
Senior Stratmaster
yes, yes, and yes. he could play almost any style masterfully, was honestly one of the most innovative lead guitarists, pioneered live music technologies as a guitarist, and of course had an amazing time doing it! I think where i agree he is underrated is people know his name, and maybe could name a tune or two, but most people honestly have no idea what he actually played.
Connecticut
Most Honored Senior Member
I have to be honest and admit this, I just don't "get" the Dead.
I never did. Their fans are extremely loyal and they are respected by their peers.
I never really thought about Jerry much as a guitar player. I am probably missing it.
I never did. Their fans are extremely loyal and they are respected by their peers.
I never really thought about Jerry much as a guitar player. I am probably missing it.
92 Fiesta Red 62
Senior Stratmaster
I think he is overrated by Dead Heads.
They think he’s Guitar Messiah.
I think he is properly rated by casual fans, such as myself.
I think he’s supremely talented and very capable, but not the greatest ever.
I think he is underrated and unfairly criticized by his detractors.
They think he’s Guitar Messiah.
I think he is properly rated by casual fans, such as myself.
I think he’s supremely talented and very capable, but not the greatest ever.
I think he is underrated and unfairly criticized by his detractors.
lbpesq
Senior Stratmaster
Today is Jerry’s birthday. To paraphrase Bill Graham, whose description of the Dead is equally applicable to Jerry:
He’s not the best at what he does, he’s the only one who does what he does.
You can argue about his standing among the top guitarists, but there can be no argument about his originality.
Bill, tgo
He’s not the best at what he does, he’s the only one who does what he does.
You can argue about his standing among the top guitarists, but there can be no argument about his originality.
Bill, tgo
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The Strat Dude
Posy rules!
I think it's hard to quantify what he did, he played in a band that could jam the same song for half an hour and never play the same thing twice. The band and dead heads had a blast, I suppose thats all that Jerry cared about.
Stratafied
Dr. Stratster
I wasn’t trying to offend you my dear friend. I know you feel that Springsteen is a better guitarist than Hendrix !!!
Stratafied
Dr. Stratster
Definitely not the greatest ever, I would never make that assumption. But as I get older I appreciate his style more today, and actually I’m only familiar with a dozen of their songs.
I don’t think about JG.
Stratafied
Dr. Stratster
I’m late to the party, I only started appreciating his guitar style lately. But he played some great guitar on Bruce Hornsbys across the river.
Stratafied
Dr. Stratster
Well he’s not thinking about you either
The Strat Dude
Posy rules!
I think like JH a lot of his playing is really the rythm and feel, although he could play solo's all day. This is a fun song live that shows some warts but he could still get it on. And if truckin and Casey Jones don't make ya smile, then music might not be your thing.
Like his playing or not, he was unique.
Strums
Senior Stratmaster
To me, it was never about his technique or speed. Those are the wrong metrics. Jerry played musically, creatively, and emotively. He weaved his notes beautifully through their songs. That was the magic.
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slowesthand
Senior Stratmaster
I think you are 100% correct.
I can dig that. Not a Deadhead, but do love 'em.
arct
Senior Stratmaster
John Mayer plays him in that tribute band so he musta been good.
rct
rct
slowesthand
Senior Stratmaster
This is the forward John (Mayer) wrote for Jay Blakesberg's book "Secret Space of Dreams"
"I’m a good enough guitar player to know a great guitarist when I hear one, but I had to become an even better one to begin to understand the depth and complexity of Jerry Garcia’s playing.
"I’m a good enough guitar player to know a great guitarist when I hear one, but I had to become an even better one to begin to understand the depth and complexity of Jerry Garcia’s playing.
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Straticus
Strat-Talker
I used to argue with a friend that the Allman Brothers (with Duane) was a better jam band than the Dead. But over the last ten years I have changed my mind about that. JG and the Dead were extremely versatile and really could play for days on end. I’m a late blooming fan of the Grateful Dead.