One thing to try (Robert Hunter) (LP 2006 - 2007)

Robert Hunter   Tales of The Great Rum Runners (Vinyl, Round Records, 1974) ***  

Robert Hunter   Tiger Rose (Vinyl, Round Records, 1975) *** 

Genre: San Francisco rock 

Places I remember: Real Groovy Records

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Arizona Lightning (Tales..)

Gear costume: Rum Runners (Tales..)

Active compensatory factors: I was intrigued by the cover of Tales of The Great Rum Runners when I came across it in a book of album covers. So, when I saw it in the ten dollar bins at Real Groovy it was a no brainer.

Robert Hunter was the lyricist for many of Jerry Garcia's songs, and was considered a fully fledged non-performing member of The Grateful Dead, but he also had an under the radar solo career.

These are his first two albums under his own name. His palette is broad - for instance bagpipes appear on Children's Lament (on Tales...), which is appropriate given he's related to Scottish poet Robbie Burns. Other songs include banjo, guitar, sax, or are a cappella.

Depending on the song he'll adopt folk, Americana, rock or country stylings. His voice is distinctive but maybe not his strongest suit. That's probably why he didn't enjoy the same solo popularity as the other members of the Dead.

The most Grateful Dead sounding song on offer on Tales is Must Have Been The Roses which appears on Garcia's solo Reflections album. It's great to hear that song with a different, grainier approach.

Tiger Rose was his second album. It came out a year later than Tales and again features Garcia and a variety of San Franciscan musicians, including members of Grateful Dead and Jefferson Starship.

It continues the eclectic mix of styles. Hunter's voice sounds a little more at ease with the material on Tiger Rose. Basically, everyone sounds like they are having a blast! 

Where do they all belong? I'd snap up any other albums if I ever come across them. I love his down home scuzzy approach. He's an interesting guy!