Search - Jerry Garcia :: Jerry Garcia Collection 1: Legion of Mary

Super Superior

Kenneth M. Goodman | Cleveland, Ohio United States | 09/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The important thing to realize about this Legion of Mary release

is the time it was recorded: 1974 & 1975. While I love lots

of Jerry Garcia Band material, most of it was made in the

1980's and 1990's. This Legion of Mary material was made when

Jerry was still in his Grateful Dead prime...and his solos show

that. There are no bad tracks on either CD...but my favorites

are the Dylan opener Tough Mama; I'll Take A Melody; Let It Rock...Tore Up...and MANY others. I even like the saxophone solos...and of course Merle Saunders on keyboard is great. Virtually every track has tremendous Jerry solos...and his voice is in good shape as well. This is gooooooood stuff."

This was a time when the playing was relaxed and sweet

Gregory Dodge | Kingston, NY USA | 08/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've had pretty good tapes of most of these shows, so I was wondering if it would be worth it for the sound upgrade. The answer is a resounding yes, some of my favorite Legion of Mary is now remastered. All songs are top notch. The organ is sweet, the guitar clear, the base and drums distinct. Jerry's voice is sweet and high, not hoarse, just like you old timer's remember it. Highly recommended for all. The bonus disc (from Pure Jerry) is also top notch for those that cannot get enough."

Legion of Jerry

PHILIP S WOLF | SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. USA | 09/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My friend Larry had heard that Jerry Garcia had been playing in Berkeley outside of The Grateful Dead. To keep everything Low-Key the Band was called: "Legion of Jerry". It was right before Christmas 74, and since the "Farewell" Shows had just happened at Winterland in October and nobody knew if The Grateful Dead HAD a Future at this point, it did look like Jerry had moved-on, and now was Fronting a New Band.



It's now 2007, and I'm listening to this great "Legion of Mary" release. This version of The Jerry Garcia/Merl Saunders Band featured Jazz Great: Martin Fierro who had played with Sir Doulglas Sahm & The Quintet, back in the Sixties and went on to Form: "Zero" with Steve Kimock & Greg Anton, in The Eighties. Martin had Toured with The Dead as 1/2 of their horn section in September 1973 just as "Wake of the Flood" was Released. Things had not gone down so well for the Grateful Dead, Big Horn Band, as the fans weren't too Crazy about an R & B Flavored Dead. But Jerry wanted to Explore Jazz & R & B, so as of July 74, Martin was asked to join the Garcia/Saunders Band and "Legion of Mary" begins.



Tapes of this band traded in Dead-Circles back in the Eighties & Nineties, but they always were of Poor Quality and Never a Complete Show. Now that's Rhino has the Reigns, we are seeing more stuff pour outta The Vaults.

These two CD's are from Dec 74-July 75 and were recorded in Portland,Berkeley & San Francisco. This Band sounds just a little more Layed-Back than the Jerry/Merl Band of July 73 that gave us "Live at The Keystone", and that said, lot's of The Rock is gone, Jerry, had shifted gears here and Jazz has taken the place of Rock. Now the Band had Three Solo stars in Jerry, Merl & Martin, Tunes increased in Length and arrangements were Altered to leave spaces for the Reeds.



These Two CD's with 14 tracks and 160 minutes of Music represent a Fair Chunk of what "Legion" was all about. We get Dylan: "Tough Mama", The Band: "The Night They Drove Ol' Dixie Down" and Elvis: "Mystery Train". Some Folks have mentioned that they Don't like Martin's Playing & this ain't Jazz. Well maybe it Ain't Jazz, But, you can't Slam Martin's playing here as he ADDS to this Music. This is Jerry's Band and this is Jerrymusic, and it's Good & Rockin', Fun Stuff. You don't get to hear much stuff like this anymore. There are no Computers & Lip-Synch Pop Boys & Girls here just 5 Guys in a bar Playing! Just like in Chicago in the Forties, San Francisco in The Sixties, these Guys sometimes take Chances and Go Out There BUT, they are having FUN.



And Jerry? Right here, Mr. Garcia is in Peak Form. Listen to him Sing: "The Night They Drove ol' Dixie Down". I've heard him do this one Many times, and this is The Best! On: "Let It Rock", Jerry goes after Chuck Berry and takes his Lead as a Slow Smolder that Builds & Builds, Martin here has some good Moments as well. We get some Rare Tunes played: "Neighbor, Neighbor" & "Last Train From Poor Valley". Neighbor, is a Blues, Slow-Burn with Jerry and Martin keepin' it right in the groove. "Poor Valley" is a Stunner! I wonder why this is it's First appearance on record, You can Wonder what the Grateful Dead, COULD have done with this Gem...



These two CD's: "Legion of Mary" are Really Nice. The Powerhouse that The Grateful Dead, became in the late 70's after the Break was BECAUSE of what Jerry had Learned playing with Great Musicians such as these. This is True American Music, and we are Lucky to have it at Last!"