Oteil Burbridge Takes ‘Lovely View Of Heaven’ On New Garcia/Hunter Tribute Album Featuring Gorgeous ‘Stella Blue’

Bassist Oteil Burbridge assembled a number of his talented musical friends at the idyllic Floki Studios in Iceland to record an album of Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter ballads. The resulting LP, Lovely View Of Heaven, arrives on September 15 with Burbridge’s take on “Stella Blue” out today to preview the set.

Alan Evans produced the Dead & Company bassist’s upcoming record. Contributions on Lovely View Of Heaven come from guitarists Steve Kimock and Tom Guarna, multi-instrumentalist Jason Crosby as well as drummers Pete Lavezzoli and John Kimock with guitar sounds from Adam Tenenbaum. The album also incorporates a posthumous appearance from Oteil’s late brother, Kofi Burbridge, on flute.

The concept for Oteil to sing, play and add his own spin to beloved Hunter/Garcia ballads came to Burbridge as a way to process a series of losses that included Kofi, his father and mentor Col. Bruce Hampton.

“Looking back, I don’t feel like I was able to really process all the pain from these huge losses until I started working on these ballads. All these arrangements were written through many tears,” Burbridge recalled of his deeply personal journey. “It is my sincere hope that this album will be a catalyst for listeners to process their pain as it was for me.”

While Oteil was reverent to the originals penned by Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter, he still infused the arrangements with his spirit both in the lyrics and music. Burbridge explained the changes he made, stating:

“In a real sense it is Garcia, Hunter and Burbridge. I have rewritten a small amount of it. Or rather added to it. As you will hear. My hope is that it will not put off the listener but rather reveal another angle of perspective.

“You can still sing along but you may find the furniture moved around. It’s still your favorite chair but the rooms are redecorated. Be assured though. All of my influences are pretty much the same as those of the guys in the Grateful Dead thanks to my dad, Kofi and Col. Bruce Hampton. I hope Deadheads will ‘trust me with their children’ and those who are not Deadheads will embrace the open mindedness of the spirit of this music and give it a try.”

Oteil Burbridge’s Lovely View Of Heaven, which features cover art by Robert Hunter’s widow, Maureen Hunter, is available for pre-save/pre-order digitally now. A limited edition vinyl is also up for pre-sale.

Watch the video for “Stella Blue” from Lovely View Of Heaven shot during the sessions at Floki Studios in Iceland below:

Oteil Burbridge brings Oteil & Friends to the Hot August Music Festival tomorrow, Saturday, August 19. The group then embarks on a fall tour from September 15 – 30. Scroll below for a full list of dates.