Ace — Bob Weir
As promised last week, this is Grateful Dead guitarist/songwriter Bob Weir’s first solo album.
The album is essentially a Grateful Dead recording. Most members of the 1972 Dead play on this record, and most songs became Grateful Dead concert classics. The album initiated Weir’s writing partnership with his schoolmate from Wyoming, lyricist John Barlow.
I have been listening to this album on vinyl or CD for half a century now and will continue to do so, especially after purchasing the 50th Anniversary Edition CD. It’s an easy listen. Give it a try.
1. “Greatest Story Ever Told” Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, Robert Hunter 3:43
2. “Black-Throated Wind” Weir, John Perry Barlow 5:42
3. “Walk in the Sunshine” Weir, Barlow 3:05
4. “Playing in the Band” Weir, Hart, Hunter 7:38
5. “Looks Like Rain” Weir, Barlow 6:12
6. “Mexicali Blues” Weir, Barlow 3:28
7. “One More Saturday Night” Weir 4:31
8. “Cassidy” Weir, Barlow 3:41
Total length: 37:45
Bob Weir – lead vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, production
Jerry Garcia – lead guitar, production; pedal steel guitar on “Looks Like Rain”, backup vocals on “Greatest Story Ever Told“
Keith Godchaux – piano, organ, production
Bill Kreutzmann – drums, percussion, production
Phil Lesh – bass guitar, production; backup vocals on “Mexicali Blues“
Ed Bogas – string arrangement on “Looks Like Rain“
Snooky Flowers, Luis Gasca and The Space Rangers – horns on “Black-Throated Wind”, “Mexicali Blues” and “One More Saturday Night“
Donna Jean Godchaux – production; backup vocals on “Greatest Story Ever Told”, “Walk in the Sunshine”, “Playing in the Band” and “Cassidy“
Dave Torbert – bass guitar on “Greatest Story Ever Told”
Released May 1, 1972
Recorded January–March 1972
Studio Wally Heider Studios, San Francisco; mixed at Alembic Studios, San Francisco
Length. 37:45
Label Warner Bros., Grateful Dead Producer “Everyone involved”
