What's Spinning: Season 2, Vol. 17
The Grateful Dead's lyricist strikes gold.
Who's the greatest songwriter of all time? My pick is this guy right here, Robert Hunter.
Well who exactly is Robert Hunter? He was the songwriter who worked a lot with Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead. This partnership started shortly after the band was formed in 1965.
His writing credits include, Dark Star, Terrapin Station, Ripple, and many other songs. He didn't perform with the band but he was their official lyricist. His work was evident on the album, Aoxomoxoa, where he worked with Garcia on every song.
After Garcia's passing he worked with Elvis Costello, Bruce Hornsby, and David Nelson of New Riders of the Purple Sage.
This album though was his first solo effort from 1974. It featured an Americana sound with some folk elements. Overall a wonderful album that features Mickey Hart on the drums and Keith Godchaux on the keyboard. Garcia actually produced this album for his friend. You can definitely hear the Grateful Dead influence on this album.
-----
Robert Hunter - Tales of the Great Rum Runners
Round Records, 1974
-----
He wrote "Silvio" with Bob Dylan, and Dylan's recording of it is a favorite of mine.
The only Robert Hunter solo album I have is Amagamalin St. I'm going to keep my eye out for Tales of the Great Rum Runners.