Reflections
From top to bottom, this is the strongest Garcia solo album, without a weak cut or performance in the whole bunch. Recorded in 1976, the album includes four full-onGrateful Deadtunes along with four songs featuring members of Garcia's own band, including pianist Nicky Hopkins, bassist John Kahn, and drummer Ron Tutt. Among the Dead tunes are the joyous, ripping "Might as Well," the sweet "They Love Each Other," and two tender ballads, "It Must Have Been the Roses" and "Comes a Time." The non-Dead tunes are every bit as endearing, especiallyAllen Toussaint's delicate "I'll Take a Melody," the thoughtful original "Mission in the Rain," and the easy shuffling "Catfish John," which was previously a country hit forJohnny Russellas well as a bluegrass romp for Garcia's short-livedOld and in the Way.--Marc Greilsamer