Ari Joshua Seattle Psychedelic Guitarist

"Help on the Way" - Ari Joshua opens up the psychedelic vault, revealing an all-star version of the Garcia/Hunter classic “Help on the Way,” pairing poetry and form with Kimock, Hess, & Ladin.


Ari Joshua's forthcoming compilation of music includes a bountiful cast of incredible talent, about half dozen original compositions, and a pair of heady tributes honoring the legendary partnership between Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter. “Help On the Way”, the latest to be shared, sparks light featuring a celestial musical cast including drummer John Kimock, bassist Andy Hess, and keyboardist Eden Ladin. Ari Joshua led the band as vocalist, guitarist, and producer.

The group convened at the renowned Bunker Studio in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood. “Help On the Way” marks the fourth song to emerge from this lineup following a refreshing take on "Eyes of the World" released in July, and 2 original works "Lights Out" and "Eye Just Called to Soul, I Love You” — both showcasing the kind of innovation Joshua is most recognized for. Follow the song title links to listen.

From the expansive first notes of a psychedelic intro, ever-present is the feel of the live ensemble in the room, and then enters the vocal:

"Paradise awaits on the crest of a wave, her angels in flame…”

The warmth of Eden Ladin’s analog keyboards meld with Joshua’s lyrical guitar as their improvisations build into billowy waves full of melodic colors and texture. This is a special band — Ladin is emerging as a leading jazz pianist on the East Coast. On the low end, Hess, a favorite among NY musicians, effortlessly weaves in and around the deep pocket of Kimock’s signature drum groove. If you have seen bass legends Mike Gordon (Phish) and Otiel Burbridge (Dead and Co) on their recent tours, then you have witnessed John’s drumming live. Ari has been turning stones into mountains with a steady flurry of releases as his collaborative spirit continues to bloom.

Ari Joshua paints a picture of how musical happenstance changed his life at about ten years old: “On the way to summer camp, an older kid with a battery-powered boombox had the cardboard double-disc version of One from the Vault, it must have made an impression, I bought the cassette and CD both. I felt a connection to the muses, the angels, & the cosmic forces, all perfectly reflected into poetry and melody. Later, I saw the original band play “Help” with Garcia. It's a beautiful song. It's a masterpiece. I am grateful to be able to team up with this incredible cast to share this recording."

Ari’s original take on the enchanting "Help on the Way" is available via Music Factory Records now, the video premiering here is linked above. Also coming this summer, Kambo Wambo, a medicinal-psychedelic-inspired afro-beat instrumental featuring members of The Trey Anastasio Band (Ray Paczkowski, & Russ Lawton). Dragons Layer, an angular cinematic composition featuring Billy Martin, and John Medeski. Nun Kommt es Werder, a ballad from Ari’s classic jazz quartet. Listeners can stream on any platform, supporters can purchase music at Bandcamp and www.arijoshua.com.

Ari will donate a portion of the proceeds to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at https://988lifeline.org/donate. “The title speaks so clearly: Help on the Way. That’s something I wanna do through music, is help. I lost two friends tragically this month, previously I lost a romantic partner to depression. I hope that if help is what you need, that you’ll find it soon. ”