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  • Jerry Garcia Band – GarciaLive Vol. 17: NorCal 1976 (3-CD) - Front
  • Jerry Garcia Band – GarciaLive Vol. 17: NorCal 1976 (3-CD) - Back
  • Jerry Garcia Band – GarciaLive Vol. 17: NorCal 1976 (3-CD) - Front
  • Jerry Garcia Band – GarciaLive Vol. 17: NorCal 1976 (3-CD) - Back

Jerry Garcia Band – GarciaLive Vol. 17: NorCal 1976 (3-CD)

$ 24.95
$ 24.95
Est. 1974, Curated by Heads
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Review

Talk about peaking. Even though the 17th installment of the GarciaLive series breaks a bit from most of the others in the terrific ongoing chain of archival sets- as it is a compilation of cuts from several shows rather than a singular, complete performance- its chosen tracks and sequencing approximate well a Jerry Garcia Band '76 concert. And with the standout version of "Mighty High" closing the three-disc volume, it is one not to be missed.

During that Bicentennial year, Garcia was moving between circles of the Grateful Dead- in a limited year of touring- and his own JGB. Not to mention releasing an underrated nugget of an album, Reflections, featuring the Dead on half and his session band on the remainder. The record would include songs that became regulars on setlists for both entities- "Might As Well," "Mission In The Rain," "They Love Each Other," to name three.

That fall, when the Garcia Band undertook a run of appearances in Northern California including several university dates, it was a time, as the album's title suggested, of reflection; not looking back, but more a mirror image of where Garcia was at in the moment. Sharing an obvious kinship with Keith Godchaux (keyboards) and his wife, Donna Jean (vocals), who doubled in those roles with the Dead, as well as a growing bond with bassist John Kahn and drummer Ron Tutt, Garcia's singing and playing sparkle with unconcerned liberation.

The opening pairing of "Sugaree" and "They Love Each Other" is top-shelf stuff; sounding as much like his other band as ever. Garcia, as well, touches upon some contemporaries for covers, exposing reggae to his faithful through Bob Marley's "Stir It Up," and the backroad swing of J.J. Cale's "After Midnight," while friskily bopping on his Reflections cut, "I'll Take A Melody." Still, it's the "Mighty High" finale, from an unknown show date, that sits atop the mountain, surging with an inspired tempo, group chemistry, and fiery flurries from Godchaux and Garcia that never lack for incandescent ideas.

With a determined freedom, this is the Jerry Garcia Band emblazing the Norcal scene with its spirit of '76.

— Larson Sutton, Relix

Product Details

The Jerry Garcia Band of 1976 operated in a different headspace than the Dead, built around tighter song structures and Garcia's love of R&B, soul, and country alongside his own compositions. Having Keith and Donna Jean Godchaux in the lineup created a rare overlap between the two bands, giving these Northern California club and campus dates a looseness and familiarity that crackles through Betty Cantor-Jackson's recordings.

GarciaLive Volume 17: NorCal '76 presents highlights from three standout Jerry Garcia Band performances captured over a single week in Northern California — November 7th at the Keystone in Berkeley, November 12th at Freeborn Hall, UC Davis, and November 13th at the East Gym, Humboldt State University in Arcata. While reel damage, tape loss, and other technical issues prevent the release of complete shows, what remains of Betty Cantor-Jackson's original recordings represents some of the finest performances from this iteration of the JGB.

1976 marked a period of transition for Garcia, who welcomed fellow Grateful Dead members Keith Godchaux on keyboards and Donna Jean Godchaux on vocals into the fold alongside mainstays John Kahn on bass and Ron Tutt on drums. Garcia himself extolled the group's harmonious sound, and the chemistry is unmistakable throughout — from a fiery opening "Sugaree" and sublime "Catfish John" bolstered by Donna Jean's harmonies, to a driving "Russian Lullaby," "Tore Up Over You," and a reggae-infused "Stir It Up." Liner notes by longtime Garcia road manager Steve Parish.

Note: "Mighty High" is sourced from an undated recording believed to be from this period.

Tracklist

Disc 1

  1. Sugaree (11/13/76, Humboldt State)
  2. They Love Each Other (11/13/76, Humboldt State)
  3. Catfish John (11/12/76, UC Davis)
  4. Midnight Moonlight (11/12/76, UC Davis)

Disc 2

  1. How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You) (11/13/76, Humboldt State)
  2. Friend of the Devil (11/13/76, Humboldt State)
  3. Russian Lullaby (11/7/76, Keystone Berkeley)
  4. Tore Up Over You (11/7/76, Keystone Berkeley)
  5. I'll Take a Melody (11/7/76, Keystone Berkeley)

Disc 3

  1. After Midnight (11/7/76, Keystone Berkeley)
  2. Stir It Up (11/7/76, Keystone Berkeley)
  3. Mystery Train (11/13/76, Humboldt State)
  4. The Way You Do the Things You Do (11/12/76, UC Davis)
  5. Mighty High (1976, unknown)

UPC: 880882444426
Label: Round Records
Release Date: 11.12.21
Format: CD