The Jerry Garcia Collection, Vol. 2: Jerry Garcia Band, Keystone Berkeley '75
Jerry and Nicky Let It Rock at Keystone Berkeley!
The latest release to come from the Garcia vault is Let It Rock: Jerry Garcia Band 1975 a 2-CD
set recorded November 17 and 18, 1975 at the Keystone Berkeley, featuring the very first
version of the Jerry Garcia Band, with the magnificent British pianist Nicky Hopkins, drummer Ron Tutt and ol’
reliable—bassist John Kahn. This marks the first-ever full release of material from the brief but fruitful
Garcia-Hopkins union (August through December ’75), and it shows the group at its best, rolling though a broad
range of styles, from the churning opener, “Let It Rock,” to Dead favorites like “Sugaree,” “They Love Each
Other” and a lively “Friend of the Devil,” to boppin’ R&B—“Tore Up Over You,” “Roadrunner”—a 19-minute workout
(!) on the Stones’ “Let’s Spend the Night Together,” and Nicky’s exceptional instrumental track “Edward.”
The sound on these discs is impeccable: They were mixed from 16-track master tapes by Jeffrey Norman, who has
mixed and mastered countless Dead-related projects through the years. The clarity of the vocals and instruments
is absolutely stunning—it’s practically like being at the legendary Keystone Berkeley, except without
that distinctive smell of beer and popcorn, and the clacking of the foosball table in the back room. The icing on
this particular slice of psychedelic cake is a fine essay by David Gans which probes the Jerry-Nicky dynamic and
offers some needed historical context. In short, this one is a must for Jerry freaks (and doesn’t that include
all of us?)! To order your copy today, click here.
—Blair Jackson
Track List
CD 1
1. LET IT ROCK
2. TORE UP OVER YOU
3. FRIEND OF THE DEVIL*
4. THEY LOVE EACH OTHER
5. IT’S TOO LATE
6. PIG’S BOOGIE>
7. BAND INTRODUCTIONS>
8. SITTING IN LIMBO
9. (I’M A) ROAD RUNNER
CD 2
1. SUGAREE
2. I’LL TAKE A MELODY
3. THAT’S WHAT LOVE WILL MAKE YOU DO*
4. LADY SLEEPS*
5. AIN’T NO USE
6. LET’S SPEND THE NIGHT TOGETHER*
7. EDWARD, THE MAD SHIRT GRINDER
Recorded live at KEYSTONE BERKELEY, 11/18/75 and *11/17/75
"Edward, The Mad Shirt Grinder" ???
From QSMS's "Shady Grove" LP ?
Wow. That's obscure, even for me. That should be an interesting listen.
Just placed my order, along with the RT. Geeked. So what's the differentiation between the "Jerry Garcia Collection" and the Pure Jerry releases I wonder?
This looks like a cracker. Can't wait. I wondered why it is "The Jerry Garcia Collection Volume 2" until I remembered that Volume 1 was that wonderful Legion of Mary release some time ago.
What more can you say. Looking forward to this.
If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite.
William Blake
Can't wait to hear this release, lots of songs that are not well represented in mainstream JGB releases. I imagine the 16-track sound is going to be immaculate. Nice to have a 1975 release!
Location
I'm sure Jerry's playing will be as smooth as fine wine.
Coconut Phil, living Free.