When someone says the words “Grateful Dead,” the first things that come to mind are Woodstock, Jerry Garcia, hippies, pot, and colorful teddy bears marching a blend of psychedelic infused rock, with a cross of folk, country, blues, and so much more. But, at least for me, the last thing on my mind was reggae. That is, until now.
The award-winning group, Roots of Creation is on tour and recently visited Chicago, giving fans of reggae and rock a tribute they probably weren’t expecting in their new album titled Grateful Dub. This follow-up to their Billboard chart-topping album Livin’ Free has garnered them another Billboard No. 1. Reggae fans will recognize collaborations on this album with artists: Stephen Marley, Marlon Asher, G. Love, Melvin Seals (Jerry Garcia Band), Dan Kelly (Fortunate Youth), Jesse Wagner (The Aggrolites), Hayley Jane and Billy Kottage (Reel Big Fish).
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Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia fans will recognize tributes to songs like Fire on the Mountain, Casey Jones, Ripple, Friend of the Devil, and Shakedown Street with a total of 12 tracks and a Moment of Silence for Jerry Garcia. The lyrics of these songs resonate just as well with a reggae soundtrack. Although expressed in a very different genre from their originals, I feel that Jerry and his colleagues would give Grateful Dub a nod of approval. It seems like the proper sound to further energize the legacy of this music from a legendary band. This album even got me listening to some Grateful Dead on Spotify right after I listened through all 13 tracks (yes, I even observed the 59 seconds of silence for Jerry Garcia on track nuber 12).
Roots of Creation hooked up with reggae producer Errol Brown (Bob Marley, Rebeultion, Cultura Profetica, Gilberto Gil). The band is made up Brett Wilson (vox/guitar), Tal Pearson (keys), Mike Chadinha (drums/spds sampler), Nick Mini (bass), Billy Kottage (trombone), and Andrew Riordan (saxophone/dub fx/vox)
Roots of Creation are playing dates from now until September through a great part of the United States at a variety of festivals and venues. Their fanbase is growing and you can find them on at www.rootsofcreation.com plus all traditional social media as @rootsocreation.
Roots of Creation Grateful Dub Tour 2018
April 20 – Otus Supply Parliament Room – Ferndale, MI, US
April 24 – The Hotel/Club Elevate – Salt Lake City, UT, US
April 25 – Beauty Bar – Las Vegas, NV, US
April 26 – Valley Bar – Phoenix, AZ, US
April 27 – Winston’s Beach Club – San Diego, CA, US
April 28 to 29 – Kaya Fest 2018 – San Bernardino, CA, US
April 30 – Sweetwater Music Hall – Mill Valley, CA, US
May 2 – Volcanic Theater Pub – Bend, OR, US
May 3 – Nectar Lounge – Seattle, WA, US
May 4 – Star Theater – Portland, OR, US
May 5 – The Reef – Boise, ID, US
May 6 – Mystic Hot Springs – Monroe, UT, US
May 8 – Cervantes’ Other Side – Denver, CO, US
May 9 – Hodi’s Half Note – Fort Collins, CO, US
May 10 – Granada Theatre – Lawrence, KS, US
May 12 – Beachland Tavern – Cleveland, OH, US
June 15 – Ziontific Summer Solstice Music Festival 2018 – Russell, MA, US
June 22 to 24 – Harry’s Hoe Down 2018 – Starks, ME, US
June 23 – Harry’s Hoe-Down 2018 – Starks, ME, US
July 20 – Jerry Jam 2018 – St. Johnsbury, VT, US
August 3 to 5 – Arise Music Festival 2018 – Loveland, CO, US
August 9 – ROCKS OFF Concert Cruise Series – New York, NY, US
August 10 – Unknown venue – Boston, MA, US
September 8 – Westfield River Brewing Company – Southwick, MA, US
Post Tid-Bit:
Interestingly enough this is not the first reggae tribute to the Grateful Dead. Way back when CD’s were popular, various artists joined together to record two albums entitled: Fire On The Mountain: Reggae Celebrates The Grateful Dead, Vol. 1 and 2. And if you search hard enough, you will also find a blues tribute and electronic music tribute to the dead.