Legion of Mary – GarciaLive Vol. 3: December 14-15, 1974 Northwest Tour (3-CD)
Product Details
Legion of Mary existed in a sweet spot between the Grateful Dead's extended hiatus of 1974 and Garcia's return to that band, giving him room to stretch into territory the Dead rarely touched. With Merl Saunders anchoring the organ and Martin Fierro's saxophone pushing the ensemble toward genuine jazz improvisation, these Oregon nights show Garcia in a deeply collaborative mode, trading phrases rather than soloing over a rhythm section.
The third installment of the GarciaLive archival series presents over two and a half hours of previously unreleased music from one of Jerry Garcia's most experimental and revered projects: Legion of Mary. Culled from two consecutive nights in Oregon on what is thought to be the band's first-ever tour, the recordings capture the quintet in an exploratory, jazz-and-soul-infused groove unlike anything in the broader Garcia catalog.
Legion of Mary features Jerry Garcia on guitar and vocals, Merl Saunders on keyboards and vocals, Martin Fierro on saxophone and flute, John Kahn on bass, and Ron Tutt on drums. Disc One documents the December 14th performance at the Paramount Theatre in Portland; Discs Two and Three present both sets from the December 15th show at the EMU Ballroom in Eugene. Standout moments include an 18-minute "Boogie on Reggae Woman," a labyrinthine "Freedom Jazz Dance," extended excursions on "Valdez in the Country" and "Wondering Why," and a rollicking closing "Roadrunner." Liner notes by Darryl Norsen with previously unpublished live photos.
Tracklist
Disc 1
Disc 2
Disc 3
UPC: 880882190828
Label: Round Records
Release Date: 10.15.13
Format: CD