The Other Ones - The Strange Remain

There are many parallels between the Grateful Dead and a beloved sports team. Deadheads would fervently root for their squad, cheer wildly for successful spurts, forgive the "team" after a "loss" (subpar show), and return again for the next "game." They even keep track of the "statistics." Now, of course, the team has lost its star player--its heart and soul, its leading scorer, its off-the-court leader--and fans have been forced to readjust expectations. But these Other Ones can still win a few ball games playing an updated style that still leaves plenty of room for improvisation and features new teammates such as old friend Bruce Hornsby, jazz saxophonist Dave Ellis (who broadens the sonic palette), and the twin lead-guitar tandem of Mark Karan and Steve Kimock (who consistently weave intriguing lines around each other). They've added five new "plays" (songs) to the standard Dead playbook and even unearthed a couple of older ones ("St. Stephen," "The Eleven"). Still, without Jerry Garcia, they're no longer championship caliber--maybe at best a playoff contender--and, most important, they're just not as fun to root for. --Marc Greilsamer Amazon.com

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I went to this tour in 1998. Unfortunately I was 9 years old then. This is a great way to remember the things I don't remember. I've listened to most albums by the Grateful Dead and this is the Grateful Dead. The only thing I wish was on the tour/CD was Jerry. The White Wheeled Limousine and St. Stephens were unbelievable. I think this CD captures the more jam band aspect of the Dead, which is what they're known for. If you want to hear good live music from this band, this is the CD to get. November 10, 2004

good energy, jamming, and true spirit on display

Not terrific all the way through, but the standout tracks on here make up for the crap (corinna, phil's vocals, and mickey's "singing" for the most part). It's a known fact that Garcia had a musical connection w/Hornsby-listen to some of the east coast fall '90 run for examples aplenty-and it really is the talent of hornsby and the teamwork of Karan/Kimock that makes this set shine. The Jack Straw>Sugaree is pretty much as good as it gets pre or post jerry (alot of heads will beg to differ, but the only Grateful Dead Sugaree that compares is the 12.10.89 LA Forum version-breathtaking!) However, the Jammed-out conclusion of Jack Straw and the tension-and-release style of jamming on the subsequent Sugaree is not to be missed. The Eleven is really well-done, too, and it's lyrics are kind of tough to phrase correctly but Bobby shines here. The Hornsby contributions, particularly White-wheeled limosine, are killer-and modified a bit to suit the particular taste of picky heads.

Complaints? Mountains of the Moon is a welcome tune, and one that the Dead had abondoned long long ago, but Lesh's singing is horrible to be blunt. And alot of people dig Estimated Prophet, but I for one never felt it was that great-more annoying than anything. But the energy and teamwork on display here is easily worth the price. A worthy live double-disc set for any music fan. August 2, 2004

Exceptional renderings!

Don't let all those post-Garcia Deadhead wannabees fool ya THE OTHER ONES is the real thing. The various selections compliment the original versions(with Garcia)...and even improve on them in some cases. The reason is primarily because THE OTHER ONES never get too spacy or loose, but rather keep it punchy and tight. You could say the sound is more rock oriented and the overall effort shines because of this!! May 29, 2002

Better than expected-Dead transition album

... The first CD is OK, but the second CD blew me away.

The first CD would only rate 3 to 4 stars. It starts out like a Greatful Dead tribute album, with the band sounding like it is trying to just copy its older versions. The songs are nice, but they are nothing new or special. The good parts are where the band opens up and the guitarists don't try to sound like Garcia. There is no room for the saxophone in the arrangements of the songs, but it is crammed in anyway. The sax is really out of place and just a noisy overlay on some songs. There is also a totally needless version of Garcia's Sugaree.

But at the end of the first CD,the band really starts moving with Estimated Prophet. Everything clicks on this song. It is also a refreshing change of pace since the Dead rarely played it in concert.

The second CD starts with some of the best space music ever played. This is on a par with the wild improvising the group did in the Blues For Allah days. Here the guitars, saxophones and keyboards intermix for a wonderful sound. There are also some very nice accoustic songs with a sound reminiscent of the fantasitic "Without A Net" CD. Friend of the Devil is especially good.

No matter what anyone else says, this is a transistional Grateful Dead album. All the members of the Dead from the nineties are here, except Jerry Garcia and Bill Kruetzman. Even Phil Lesh and Bruce Hornsby are in the group. Even when Jerry Garcia was alive, the Grateful Dead was continually evolving, and going into different phases. This is just a different phase.... April 14, 2001

This is not your father's Grateful Dead...

I get so tired of hearing people complain that The Other Ones are band of musicians "trying to be the Grateful Dead without Jerry." But this band is NOT the Grateful Dead...these are the "other ones" from that fabled band. I was fortunate to have witnessed the group both times that they had toured (Summer '98 and Late Summer '00), and this disc does capture, as well as any recording can, the spirit and music that had came out on the '98 tour. The idea was to take the songs made famous by the Grateful Dead and transform it into something different.

Highlights of the discs for me, include the following: A transformed "Saint Stephen-->The Eleven", a rip-roaring "Corrina", a sinewy "The Other One", and the latest Bob Weir-Robert Hunter collaboration, the ethereal "Banyan Tree". In addition, the band has re-arranged several of Bruce Hornsby's songs. It sounds as if they had been written for the Grateful Dead. Listening to "Rainbow's Cadillac", I had almost thought the band was heading into "Franklin's Tower."

The band members are playing extremely well, perhaps in part to the new (and sometime old) players, particularily Bruce Hornsby and Dave Ellis. The guitarists are excellent. Steve Kimock captures the essence of Garcia's silvery-tones, while Mark Karan infuses the music with a touch of rock and blues. Bob Weir sounds "grate", vocally and instrumentally.

In short, buy this disc. It may not be the Grateful Dead, but its still good.

The music never stops... December 7, 2000

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