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
Please, sir, may I have some more?
I'm listening to the Friend Of The Devil right now and I am in awe of the sound and the mix. Just a spectacular job! I have recordings of this foursome and Nicky Hopkins’ piano always sounds muddy. Can’t wait to order and receive.
Recordings like this are generally made "flat," so a touch of reverb on instruments or the lead vocal might be added at the mixing stage to give it a little more life and some of the ambience of the room in which it was recorded. I suspect that's what happened here. If you were at the Keystone itself that night, the front-of-house mixer probably would have added some judicious reverb for the benefit of the audience there that night... that's very common...
...Smell the tail of the dragon...
Does anyone else hear reverb on the drums and vocals on "It's Too Late"? Maybe someone at the site like Blair or Mary could clear this up for me. Certainly reverb would not have been added in the mastering. Perhaps it's on the reels?
Caught this lineup in a classic little theater attached to the St Paul Civic Center Nov. 75.
Drove in from Menomonie Wisconsin, with a friend...and had a fine time. Still have the ticket stub around here somewhere...of course.
Thanks for what looks like a fine release.
(funny how 35 years fly by).
Okay, now this one has me excited! I love Jerry...but I don't need that many JGB shows, too repetative, and those back up singers get to be bland....this one really has me pumped!! I have a great copy of 12/31/75 and have always loved it as my favorite JGB! I am ecstatic for an official release of that brief period. Same with the Ozzie Ahlers time in 1980...four players, no back up signers, and some killer keys......Let's get some more of that!!
The soundboard has not been in general circulation. I'd be surprised if that's what you have. The audience tapes are good, however...
I have this on soundboard and it is a great show.
You guys need to get this if you don't already own it.
Some monster stuff here.
Proving once again that truth is better than fiction, reading the history of PJ v. JGC had me in stitches. If it feels right, do it...sort of.
Thanks for the speedy response Blair. I'll not read too much into the series titles from now on!! The naming system roughly makes sense although, as you say, the Bay Area release is a compilation too. Anyway, it's all the same once it hears my ears, whatever it's called!
Have a good one.
Location
So has anybody received their order yet?
Man, can't wait, the more I acquire of these golden nuggets the more I want and need!