Various Artists
Furthur

(Grateful Dead)

This aptly titled Furthur was put together for the 1996 Furthur Festival, and it is intended as an overview of the performers at the concert.  Only three of its tracks were previously released. These are: a live version of Los Lobos performing Bertha (which unfortunately fades during the final jam), Hot Tuna performing Keep on Truckin', and Alvin Youngblood Hart performing the soulful Big Mama's Door. That leaves seven outstanding, brand new tracks for your listening pleasure.

Included is a studio recording of Mickey Hart's Mystery Box performing Fire on the Mountain, as well as John Wesley Harding's hysterical When the Beatles Hit America. Bruce Hornsby and Ratdog each contribute two tracks to Furthur. Hornsby kicks off the disc with a delightfully jammed Spider Fingers, and later he and Bob Weir perform an outstanding Jack Straw. Both tracks were recorded live, though on different dates, in 1995. Ratdog contributes studio recordings of a rockin' I Need a Miracle and a beautiful and appropriate Knockin' on Heaven's Door. As if that isn't enough, Rob Wasserman's emotionally charged performance of Amazing Grace concludes this set. 

1 Star:   Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!