Living Dead bring sounds of Furthur Festival on new live album, The Strange Remain

Reviewed by GEOFF RUSHTON
Collegian Staff Writer

When Jerry Garcia died in 1995, most believed the Grateful Dead was, well, dead. And unless Garcia is holed up on a spaceship with Elvis waiting to make a triumphant return, the Dead is still history.

But surviving members have kept the spirit of the Dead alive with the Other Ones. Along with some of their friends, the living Dead created a new band last summer and toured as headliners of the Furthur Festival.

Now the Other Ones offer The Strange Remain, a double live album culled from the summer tour. And believe it or not, these guys still sound good.

Granted, The Strange Remain isn't Live Dead, the classic 1969 live set. But even though the album is comprised mostly of Dead standards, the Other Ones don't strive to recreate the Dead's sound -- rather, they're reliving the Dead spirit.

The group still attacks the old Dead songs with new angles, though. Bruce Hornsby on piano and Dave Ellis on saxophone were recruited for this purpose. Mark Karan and Steve Kimock add a guitar sound that is distinctly un-Jerry.

Kimock, of the jam-rock band Zero, is comfortable with his own style -- inspired by the Dead but with a harder rock sound.

Nobody here is trying to be Garcia, and the Other Ones benefit greatly from this. Hornsby takes over on many of Garcia's vocals and sings them with soul. Hornsby's vocals on the bluesy "Sugaree" make it a standout -- his voice is honest and strong, and along with a beautifully played saxophone line, he gives the song new perspective.

Mickey Hart still plays drums with skillfully varied intensity and restraint. When Hart goes off on a solo, he goes off with a crazed Caribbean rhythm. But on songs like "Jack Straw" he is content to simply provide the backbeat, allowing the other band members to drive the song.

Hart's original songs, however, leave much to be desired. His contributions seem to throw the album off track, moving it abruptly from a smooth jam-rock sound to drum-laden jungle sounds.

Overall, the Other Ones carry the album with their solid jamming. The album's opening track, "St. Stephen," which segues into "The Eleven," is an excellent reminder of what Further Festival and the Other Ones are about. The track captures the spirit of the Grateful Dead's true essence.