The MG Album Club #27: Jerry Garcia, David Grisman & Tony Rice - The Pizza Tapes

[Old Uncle Toe]

In the first year of the millennium, I guess I wasn’t listening to much music. Being in the computer industry, I did have my mind on other things that year. As I went through the RYM listings, I remembered all of the releases on the first page but none of them were my kind of music and so none jumped out at me. I didn’t find anything I owned until I got into the 400’s. And that’s where they belonged, to be honest.

But there was this novelty…

Jerry Garcia, David Grisman, Tony Rice - The Pizza Tapes



From Wikipedia,

“In February 1993, [David] Grisman was playing with [Tony] Rice and invited [Jerry] Garcia to his studio. Over the nights of February 4 and February 5, the trio recorded what would be known as The Pizza Tapes.

Garcia's copy was stolen by a pizza delivery boy and, not long after, Grisman heard a song on the radio in New York City. Fans started bringing tapes to Grateful Dead shows for autographs, and shortly after, the band confiscated a box of bootleg CDs of the session.”

I’m not presenting this because the music or the production is anything spectacular. There are mistakes, retakes and more than a few sour notes. (And please don’t listen to Man of Constant Sorrow and turn it off. Grisman presented the songs in the order recorded and clearly someone needed a warm up.) But if you can wade through the weeds, the music in between – captured live in studio – is warm and comfortable. It’s not the psychedelic rock of Grateful Dead, the jazz stylings of David Grisman nor the bluegrass of Old and In The Way. Rather, it’s three friends gathering together with their instruments to sing folks songs and enjoy each others’ company. The warmth of these recordings are what stands out to me and what I hope you enjoy as well.

 

[Nickyboy]

 

[lpfreak1170]

Listening now.

Edit: Long Black Veil

 

[Unsomnambulist]

I'm more of an electric guitar guy, but this was pleasant enough.



Perhaps further listens would lead me to rate it more highly.

 

[Ojai Sam]

Thanks for this great pick, Toe. It's been on my bucket list for quite a while, like 19 years.

The Pizza Tapes reminds me of Reckoning, one of the Dead's best live releases capturing their acoustic side. Grisman is the only link between Garcia and Rice, who never worked together otherwise. Because Garcia doesn't play banjo here and Rice doesn't sing, it's evident that Grisman as producer was looking for the feel of folk with a whiff of jazz rather than bluegrass. Personally, I prefer the songs with vocals but they're all enjoyable.

on the Sam-O-Meter.

 

[lpfreak1170]

Quite the enjoyable listen right here...good, talented friends just hanging out and playing some good/great music, warts and all.

 

[axolotl]

I love shit musical collaborations like this. It reminds me of so much other inspired acoustic ensemble rekkids I own.

on the acoustic (or manual, or stickshift) axometer.

 

[Nickyboy]

I just realized I forgot to post my impression of this. It's not something I would ever pick up at a record store and say "I should really listen to this". That said, I am very glad it was included in our series, otherwise I would have missed it entirely. I like the stripped down sound of three guys just playing ditties together and not trying to impress anyone with their flair and dexterity. Very easy to listen to, and glad that I did.