Jerry Garcia Band
Don't Let Go
San
Francisco's Orpheum Theatre, on May 21, 1976
Review by Barry
Small
December 27, 2001
The music from this compact disc was recorded
May 21, 1976, at the Orpheum Theatre, and it is the first to feature a complete Jerry Garcia Band concert.
Grateful Dead Merchandise
have released several different line ups of the Jerry Garcia Band to date. This is the first to feature Keith Godchaux on piano and Donna Godchaux on
back up vocals, who were both members of the Grateful Dead at the time
this concert was recorded.
The first disc includes the gorgeous renditions of songs that are regular
rotations with the JGB and a few that were staples in the Grateful Dead's repertoire.
I realize I am in the minority, but this version of "Sugaree" rivals even the
famous May 1977 versions the Grateful Dead played, and the "They Love Each Other"
deserves similar praises.
The rendition of the Motown single "That's What Love Will Make You Do"
takes on a bluesy tone and it sounds awesome. It includes a four or five minute instrumental that is typical of this release. It begins
with Jerry and Keith playing melodies together. Shortly thereafter it is
Keith's turn for a piano solo. Not to be left out Jerry takes his turn. To end, Keith joins Jerry and the
two simultaneously throw out the melodies of the song from their instruments in
brilliant fashion.
The last song on Disc One, the title song, "Don't Let Go" is the beginning
of set two. This is a monstrous version and includes the most exploratory playing of the release.
Donna Godchaux seems more comfortable in this band than she she did with Grateful Dead
both as a back up singer and lead vocalists. As a result, when she gets the spotlight
for "Strange Man" she doesn't disappoint.
The show closes with Lonesome and "A Long Way From Home." When I listen to the
closing instrumental it sounds as if Jerry is testing out riffs that wind up as
standards in the Grateful Dead's "Fire On The Mountain."
The song "Mighty High" is not from the Orpheum concert, but from the Keystone
Berkeley recorded September 11, 1976.
This compact disc has much more to offer than what is noted here. If you are a fan of hearing melodic guitar and piano riffs spilling off of each other
you'll treasure this. The interplay between Keith and Jerry is
different that what you hear with the Grateful Dead or any other Jerry
Garcia Band line up. This is easily one of my favorite
compact discs, bar none.
Send me your review or comments of this
release.
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