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For Jerry Garcia, 1975 was a seminal year that found him splitting time between recording Blues for Allah with the Dead, directing The Grateful Dead Movie, and forming the Jerry Garcia Band, his long-running side project. JGB's early days are the subject of a two-disc live collection of previously unreleased recordings from that momentous year. JERRY GARCIA COLLECTION, VOL. 2: LET IT ROCK, JERRY GARCIA BAND, NOVEMBER 17 & 18, 1975, KEYSTONE BERKELEY.
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Reviews:
more great Jerry
More Great Jerry with other Great Players, more memories of the best years of my life, living in the Bay Area and working part time for BGP.
Garcia's Finest Hour(s)
With so much posthumously released product---the Dead's catalogue, the Garcia/Grisman collaborations, remastered solo Garcia, and the JGB---it's hard to imagine that there's much left in the vaults to warrant euphoria from Jerry's devotees. But there is!
The newest release, Let It Rock, finds a skeletal version of the JGB. And this foursome, with session man extraordinaire, Nicky Hopkins, playing some gorgeous piano throughout---and even a few of his own compositions---plays with such synergy and vitality that it's remarkable they only lasted a mere handful of months. The playing is focused, bright, and inspired. The rhythm section is rock solid and Garcia's guitar tone has never sounded better: at times, it somewhat suggests the thick slabs of blues Roy Buchanan was known for when he was running circles around his peers in the early 70's.
Every tune is a winner here---from the lazy groove of "Let it Rock" to the bluesy riffing of "That's What Love Will Make You Do" to the delicious funk of "I'm a Road Runner" to the gentler tones of "I'll Take A Melody" and "Sugaree." Simply put: this is eclectic, melodic, controlled, and passionate guitar playing at its best.
Great JGB Release
I own pretty much everything released that is JGB and this is easily one of my favorites. The sound quality of this performance, unlike a lot of JGB and Grateful Dead releases, is a-one; sounds like it was recorded in 2010. Why the same equipment wasn't used to record all JGB and Dead performances is an unfortunate mystery to me.
As for the music itself, there isn't a throw-away in the bunch; all musicians absolutely shine throughout. Tutt and Kahn provide a solid base for Hopkin's bar room piano and Jerry's unbelievable guitar work. I've listened to "It's Too Late" and "Road Runner" too many times to count and I can and never will tire of hearing them or any of the songs on this recording. As near to perfection as one could hope for.
Another Super Session!
So, Is it more than a coincidence that the graphics of this cover closely resemble the album graphics of the Al Kooper, Mike Bloomfield, and Stephen Stills historic Super Session jam recorded in Al's apartment in NYC? Anybody have any inside word on this? Rhino? Nice company to keep as both sets are 5 stars!
Jerry at his very best!!
Garcia did many projects outside of the Dead, I saw The JGB many times at The Tower Theater here in Philly in the 70s. This is one of his first, but shortlived groups, I had never heard anything by them. This 2 CD set is refreshing with Ron Tutt and John Kahn who played with him and Merle Saunders at this same Venue.
Jerry is relaxed and getting some great tones out of the White Custom guitar. Nicky Hopkins is a master of the piano, his style is delightful and he is a different take than Keith Godchaux. The music flows or chugs along, starting out with "Let It Rock" which is a great jam, They do songs from both of their catalogs plus others and covers. The recording is a delight to listen to , very clean and great tones. A must have for a Jerry Fan.
