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

CD186 - 1993/2000
Acoustic Disc ACD-41

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The Pizza Tapes

Chances are, the most devoted fans of these three musicians have heard these tunes before, thanks to the crafty pizza-delivery boy who filched the tapes from Garcia's kitchen soon after they were recorded in 1993. That said, the warm, intimate performances here are very much worth an official CD release. The sessions came about when Tony Rice was in Northern California to record the delightful duet-collection Tone Poems with David Grisman. Garcia stopped by to hang out and jam with his old buddy Grisman and with Rice, one of his guitar idols. The disc retains all of the joy and spontaneity you'd expect from such an informal setting--Grisman even elected to leave in the between-song banter, which mostly consists of genuine overflowing mutual praise. The music itself, primarily traditional folk songs, is quite engaging thanks to Garcia's affecting, soulful, pained vocals and to the picking of all three. The contrast in flat-picking-guitar styles makes for an interesting combination: while Rice is technically superb, marvelously quick, and of remarkably clarion tone, Garcia is much more emotional and visceral, feeling his way along. There are a handful of exploratory, off-the-cuff jams that add to the impulsive nature of the whole project. Had the threesome actually intended this to be released, it probably wouldn't have the appeal it does, for this is the product of friends and music lovers, not recording artists. --Marc Greilsamer (amazon.com)

Songs: Man of Constant Sorrow, Louis Collins, jam > Shady Grove, jam > Summertime, Long Black Veil, Rosalee McFall, Drifting Too Far From the Shore, Amazing Grace, Little Sadie, Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door, So What, House of the Rising Sun

Six seconds into the first song, Garcia stops, laughs and says, “I done fucked it up already!” But then he, Grisman and guitar great Tony Rice ease into a chilling version of “Man of Constant Sorrow.” That’s the pattern throughout this fine 74-minute trio CD—there’s great jocularity between songs, but when it gets down to pickin’ it’s serious business! Rice and Garcia mesh beautifully throughout; Rice’s silvery lines contrasting nicely with Garcia’s more rough-hewn approach. There’s wonderful improvisation on an instrumental “Summertime” (with just Rice and Garcia) and before “Shady Grove,” and their frolic through “So What” is a joy. “Amazing Grace” is surprisingly moving, even with Garcia’s creaky vocals. Some harmony vocals would have lifted the set even higher, but this is raw and unadorned—a fascinating glimpse at three master musicians at work...and play.