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Jerry Garcia Tribute

 

SPIRIT OF GARCIA

by Uncle John

There  is a rapport between Jerry Garcia, and the musicians playing with him,  and with their audience, that few other musicians share. A density of thought, richness of feeling, the eloquence of Robert Hunter’s lyrics and the power in the air created by the crispy sound of Garcia’s guitar – it literally crackles, snaps and pops at times. The way he paces the music & kicks! His delicate fingertips touches our hearts, minds and ears. Sometimes the pace is slow, other times the sound seems to float, luxuriously bathing us in ecstasy and excitement, transforming our consciousness like a pebble rolling down a hill, or bells ringing with the choir singing, and he smiles at us while playing his soft musical prayer, and rocks us with vibrations giving us a warm and unifying feeling. There’s magic there and we’re full of energy and all ears. We reach for the sky top as he mimics life, visualizing flourishing patterns, as his fingers fret like a skateboard up and down the guitar, bringing a harvest of music, like an artist taking abstract concepts to fill a canvas and create a picture. The crowd is always eager for new visions of ancient ideas & homespun wisdom, miniscule notes and giant sounds cresting and ebbing like the tides. Spontaneous motion fills the once cold barren space with warmth and direction. The band massages our senses and stimulates our imagination. The sea of faces listen in telepathic rapport and move in synchronicity. Distinguished and dignified, there is a blend and common bond of the simple & grand listening to the music of Jerry Garcia playin’ in the band.

We're thrilled to announce the unveiling of the official Jerry Day 2026 artwork — along with the release of our newest donor packages in support of this beloved San Francisco tradition and

SUMMER MAGIC

We come to hear the music of Papa Bear

And celebrate his birthday here

I climb the steep hill when I arrive

More rugged and difficult than gym stairs no jive

I pause at the top

Take in the surroundings

Enjoying the dank zaza in the air

Then I go down to the sound

And the dancer appears

 

Back to back with the dancer

The sun shines through her

There is light in her eyes like stars above

Face sprinkled with glittery sparkles of love

Playful interaction smiling poses

One ankle adorned with roses

She wears no underwear

No one can see

Laughing and dancing

She´s independent and free

 

Summer magic

Fun all around

Dancing bears

Hearts united by sound

The band musicians are having a blast

Everyone listening wants it to last

Laughing with the dancing bears

Barefoot in the sand

Summer magic and special fun

In motion with artistics hands

 

We´re daydreaming together

Summer sun perfect weather

Love in the spirit excitement in the air

Music massage and healing

Senses hear

 

Butterfly over a girl

Beautiful as a pearl

Summer hair on her face

Good vibes in this place

Dancing with bare toes

Feeling the wind blow

The magic of summer flows

In the stream and at the shows

 

Listening to old songs

Making new friends

Summer is here

As the magic extends

Summer fun

For everyone

The first time I am backstage with the Jerry Garcia Band, I’m sitting at the main round table next to John Kahn, who is erudite and interesting, as we have a conversation and I listen to him talk about memories, reflections, and dreams. My eyes are on Jerry Garcia watching him carry on a half dozen lively conversations at the same time. He is astutely following each one and contributes brilliant observations, upbeat, with a good deal of humor. We love to hear him laugh. I finally capture his attention with my eyes and interject a question, "Have you seen the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind?" I ask him, not realizing he had a cameo in the film. He immediately replies, "I´m not answering anymore questions until we find out who you are." There is suddenly silence in the room. And I introduce myself.

 "Uncle John"  

"That improves things considerably," Jerry Garcia responds, lifting his eyebrows with a twinkle, and smiles,   as the banter in the room resumes.

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"Where do I stand spiritually?

Oh God!!! (with laughter)

Somewhere between Jesus and the devil."

 --JERRY GARCIA

DAYS BETWEEN

Estimated Prophet > Eyes Of The World

 

STREET PERFORMERS

Like A Road

I am backstage one night after the show at The Keystone in Palo Alto with the Jerry Garcia Band, and well into the morning, when almost everyone has gone home, Jerry turns to me and asks me to play him a song. I pick up the Gibson SG; and Jerry Garcia, who knew that I write songs but am not a musician, said "Don´t plug it in, just play!" I play the guitar like an acoustic, and sing a song I wrote, "Mystery Rivers", about the Garcia River in Mendocino county, California, & the Weir River in Hingham, Boston Harbor, Massachusetts.

MYSTERY RIVERS

excerpt

by Uncle John

Verse 1

When moondrops that come from remembering

You looking into my eyes

When you come around again

To sing like a bluebird flies

When I walk beside your footsteps

That come from Heaven by the sea

Playing on the promised guitar

In the back hills and under the trees

Like the wedding in the river

And the love it brings

Telepathy on the ledge and bridge

And the light in your eyes when you sing

 

DAYS BETWEEN

Jerry Garcia stories

by Uncle John

- Mystery Rivers -

- Walking With Jerry -

- Jerry´s Eyes -

- Sing Me Back Home -

- Garcia´s Voice In The Sky -

- "I ain´t often right, but I never been wrong" -

- Dreaming With Jerry -

- Eternity -

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*Under Construction*

 

                                                                                               Special ThanksTigerRose420

My Sisters and Brothers

 

Jerry Garcia Band

 

 “This world is not our home
We're only passing through
Our trail is all made up
Way beyond the blue

Let us do the very best that we can
While we're travelin' through this land
We can all be together, shakin' a hand
When we make it to the promised land

Let us walk together, little children
We don't ever have to worry
Through this world of trouble
We gotta love one another

Let us take our fellow man by the hand
Try to help him to understand
We can all be together, forever and ever
When we make it to the promised land”

HEALINGS.stream