Having a poet as permanent collaborator of a rock band seemed to have been a strictly British things, what with Peter Sinfield being a non-playing member of KING CRIMSON and Keith Reid of PROCOL HARUM and Betty Thatcher an outside contributor to RENAISSANCE fare, yet at least one American ensemble engaged a wordsmith too. Robert Hunter was an integral part of GRATEFUL DEAD legend, co-penning such perennials as “Dark Star” and “Truckin'” and remained within the collective’s circle for decades and also helping out his friends like LITTLE FEAT, who’s forthcoming platter features several of the late veteran’s lyrics sets. Less known are his solo albums of which 1975’s “Tiger Rose” is a well-respected classic that, over the years, saw a few reissues. Still, one scheduled for release on March 28th promises to be definitive. Well, almost.
Produced by Jerry Garcia, it was Robert’s second offering under his own name, a follow-up to 1974’s “Tales Of The Great Rum Runners” and predecessor to 1978’s “Alligator Moon” – only the latter got shelved, so the next Hunter’s endeavor arrived in 1980, when the likes of “Jack O’Roses” seemed a bit out of step with the times. As a result, despite the slew of further records, the light of “Tiger Rose” didn’t diminish, and its 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition, remastered from the original tapes, should feel most welcome, especially given the presence in the package of a second disc, with alternate versions that never saw the light of day before. What makes this less than definitive is the missed chance to add – for completists only, of course – the 1988 variant of the album where old instrumental parts were overdubbed with new vocals.
Tiger Rose
CD 1:
1. Tiger Rose
2. One Thing To Try
3. Rose Of Sharon
4. Wild Bill
5. Dance A Hole
6. Cruel White Water
7. Over The Hills
8. Last Flash Of Rock ‘N’ Roll
9. Yellow Moon
10. Ariel
CD 2 – Alternate Versions:
1. Tiger Rose
2. Last Flash Of Rock ‘N’ Roll
3. Over The Hills
4. Ariel
5. Wild Bill
6. Cruel White Water
7. Rose Of Sharon
8. Yellow Moon
9. Dance A Hole
