Search - Jerry Garcia :: Don't Let Go

Don't Let Go
Jerry Garcia
Don't Let Go
Genres: Pop, Rock, Classic Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (7) - Disc #1
  •  Track Listings (8) - Disc #2

A particularly spry, nimble, and spacious incarnation of the Jerry Garcia Band is chronicled on this double-disc release, the first official CD release to present a JGB show in order and in its entirety. Recorded at San Fr...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Jerry Garcia
Title: Don't Let Go
Members Wishing: 10
Total Copies: 0
Label: Arista
Original Release Date: 1/1/1976
Re-Release Date: 1/23/2001
Genres: Pop, Rock, Classic Rock
Styles: Blues Rock, Folk Rock, Jam Bands, Rock Jam Bands, Psychedelic Rock
Number of Discs: 2
SwapaCD Credits: 2
UPC: 078221407823

Synopsis

Amazon.com
A particularly spry, nimble, and spacious incarnation of the Jerry Garcia Band is chronicled on this double-disc release, the first official CD release to present a JGB show in order and in its entirety. Recorded at San Francisco's Orpheum Theater on May 21, 1976, the band includes Garcia's Dead mates Keith and Donna Godchaux (on acoustic piano and vocals respectively) plus longtime bassist John Kahn and drummer Ron Tutt. It's one of the few Garcia ensembles to feature piano rather than organ, and everyone has plenty of room to maneuver here, as evidenced especially on a wonderfully funky, airy, slow-grooving "That's What Love Will Make You Do." Four of the cuts come from the then-recently released Reflections. Though many of these tunes remained staples of Garcia's repertoire for the rest of his life, there are a few gems that did not: the extended boogies on "After Midnight" and "Lonesome and a Long Way from Home," the Donna showcase on the blues chestnut "Strange Man," and the bonus cut, a romping "Mighty High" recorded four months later. Those fans familiar with only later versions of the JGB will be pleasantly surprised upon hearing this agile, streamlined crew at work. --Marc Greilsamer

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CD Reviews

Aw shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks!!!
Dark Star-The Other One | The Bus To Never Ever Land | 08/26/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)

"My personal favorite era of the Jerry Garcia Band has always been the era when Keith and Donna were in the band. With the Dead taking a break, this gave Jerry's solo group a chance to grow. The Dead actually did rehearsals at the Orpheum before the JGB shows and would start the touring machine in again on June 3 in Portland. This show is the first in a run of shows on May 28, 1976 and features many outstanding perfomances. The show opens with strong versions of Sugaree and They Love Each Other which are two songs that also graced many Dead shows over the years. Next up, a song that had already become a Garcia Band standard That's With Love Will Make You Do brimming with funk and soul. I do find this version of Knockin' On Heaven's Door to be a bit too long and it is the only weak cut on the release. The next three songs are among my all time favorite Jerry band songs and they're all played to the hilt here. Sitting In Limbo is a sweet Jimmy Cliff song about faith in God and is very pretty. Mission In The Rain is the most soulful tune that Jerry and Robert Hunter ever came up with outside the Dead while Don't Let Go flat out ROCKS!!!! Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen had just cut a cover of this not too long before the JGB Band started playing it and I can't help but wonder if that played a part in Jerry bringing this classic to his solo band.



After Midnight is it's strong self as is Strange Man making it's first official appearence. Tore Up Over You is strong and rocks hard as usual. The pretty ballad I'll Take A Melody is next and brings up the Reflections content to four songs from Garcia's then current solo release. The Way You Do The Things You Do is made all the better by Donna's sweet voice as is My Sisters and Brothers. The show closing Lonesome and A Long Way From Home flat out burns as a show closer and then there's a nice bonus track of Mighty High from Berkeley in September which I guess makes up for the lost encore from the Orpheum show."