Eyes of the World

Grateful Dead, 1973, from Wake of the Flood. Solo by Jerry Garcia.

Garcia's bright, jazzy phrasing floats over a lilting groove that the band stretched out on stage for years.

Eyes of the World, from Wake of the Flood, rides a light, lilting groove that gave Jerry Garcia one of his most natural settings for bright, jazzy improvising. His phrasing here is buoyant and conversational, full of quick scalar runs that resolve on sweet, singing notes, and he often starts ideas on the offbeat to float over the rhythm. Phil Lesh's melodic bass moves almost as a second lead voice. Onstage the band stretched it out for years, and the song became a favourite vehicle for Garcia's more lyrical side. Listen for the moments when Garcia repeats a small figure several times, shifting where it lands against the beat, before breaking into a long, flowing line that ties it all together.

Eyes of the World by Grateful Dead is featured in our Jam (#8) list. The solo is played by Jerry Garcia and the song was released in 1973.

In our lists

• The 25 Greatest Jam Band Guitar Solos — #8
• The Best Grateful Dead Guitar Solos — #3

Sources