Tales of the Great Rum Runners

by Robert Hunter

Overview

On his debut album, supported by several members of the Grateful Dead and other Bay Area musicians, Robert Hunter demonstrated the musical and lyrical approach that had made his co-compositions with Jerry Garcia the best of the Dead's original material. Hunter's poetic language was redolent with a rustic Americana of roads, rivers, roses, and rain, and if his melodies lacked Garcia's grace and the backup lacked the Dead's cohesion, nevertheless this was identifiably music in the Dead vein. Hunter was an uncertain singer, alternately straining for a higher register reminiscent of Garcia and half-talking in a deeper voice that seemed more natural and advantageous to his lyrics. The album was overly ambitious musically, ranging from folk ballads to rockers and horn-filled raveups, along with barroom choruses and Scottish airs. But Hunter demonstrated he was more than just a lyricist. (Originally released on the Dead's Round Records label in 1974; reissued by Rykodisc on March 30, 1990, with some of the tracks re-edited.) ~ William Ruhlmann

Product Details

Release Date:	06/07/2024
Label:	Rhino
UPC:	0603497824793
Rank:	116594

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Robert Hunter   Primary Artist,Pipe,Guitar,Vocals,Director
Mickey Hart   Guest Artist,Drums
Jerry Garcia   Guest Artist,Guitar,Keyboards,Synthesizer
David Freiberg   Bass,Vocals,Keyboards,Synthesizer
Steven Schuster   Saxophone
Keith Godchaux   Keyboards
Barry Melton   Guitar,Vocals
Randall Smith   Vocals,Saxophone,Vocals (Background)
Marlee Shubb   Banjo,Mandolin
Bruce Gapinski   Vocals,Saxophone,Vocals (Background)
Rodney Albin   Fiddle,Violin,Vocals
Mario Cippolina   Vocals,Saxophone
Billy Steele   Vocals (Background)
Peter Albin   Bass
Mario Cipollina   Vocals (Background)
Pete Sears   Bass,Keyboards
Donna Jean Godchaux   Vocals,Keyboards
Maureen Aylett   Spoons
Robbie Stokes   Harp,Guitar
Milt Farrow   Vocals,Saxophone,Vocals (Background)
John Farey   Vocals,Saxophone,Vocals (Background)
Christie Bourne   Castanets,Percussion
James Paris   Harp,Guitar
Jeff Slattery   Vocals,Saxophone,Vocals (Background)
Hadi el Sadoon   Trumpet
David Kessner   Vocals,Saxophone,Vocals (Background)
Jean Godchaux   Keyboards
Richard Shubb   Banjo,Mandolin
T. Will Claire   Vocals
Bill Steele   Vocals,Trumpet
Steven Shuster   Saxophone
Cornelius "Snookey" Flowers   Saxophone
Ray Scott   Vocals,Saxophone,Vocals (Background)
Buddy Cage   Pedal Steel,Guitar (Steel)

Technical Credits

David Freiberg   Composer
Dan Healy   Engineer
Bob Matthews   Engineer
Rick Griffin   Design,Art Direction,Assistant Producer,Technical Assistance
Steve Brandon   Engineer
Barry Melton   Assistant Producer,Technical Assistance
Robert Hunter   Composer
Mickey Hart   Assistant Producer,Technical Assistance
Jerry Garcia   Mixing