A Talk with Jerry Garcia

AMG Review of A Talk with Jerry Garcia

William Ruhlmann
All Music Guide

This disc contains a 55-minute interview with Jerry Garcia conducted in the spring of 1982 by journalist Joe Territo, who talks nearly as much as Garcia does. The affable musician discusses his musical methods, including his approach to the guitar and singing, reflects on the 1960s, defends recreational drug use, and comments on his band, the Grateful Dead, all in what seems to have been set up as an early promotional interview for his not-yet-released solo album Run For The Roses. It's more a rambling conversation than a formal interview, the kind of thing journalists take home and craft into an organized story. But its release as an album obviously is intended to give Garcia fans some insight into his thoughts and his conversation style, and for that it's fine.