GarciaLive Volume 17: NorCal ’76 presents highlights from three stand-out Jerry Garcia Band performances captured over the span of a week. While a myriad of challenges from reel damage to tape loss and other assorted technical difficulties spoil any opportunity to feature the complete performances, what remains of Betty Cantor-Jackson’s original recordings offers some of the finest performances from this iteration of the Jerry Garcia Band.
1976 marked a period of transition for Garcia. Having eschewed the jazz and funk explorations of the early ‘70s in favor of a more “traditional” rock & roll vibe with Nicky Hopkins, Garcia likely found a sense of comfort by welcoming his Grateful Dead bandmates Keith & Donna Jean Godchaux into the fold towards the top of the year. While the band could still light it up with the best of them, as evidenced here by blistering versions of “Mystery Train,” “After Midnight,” and the almost obligatory closer “Mighty High,” tempos often eased to a swamp blues feel while the group pursued more sweet, introspective territory. A review of the Davis performance described the evening as “mellifluous” and continued, “never before have I seen Garcia dance, nor have I ever seen him smile so much.” Look no further than vibrant versions of “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” “Stir It Up,” and “The Way You Do The Things You Do” for evidence of bliss. The sweetness is balanced by more pensive selections including poignant versions of “Catfish John,” bolstered by sublime harmonies from Donna Jean, and Irving Berlin's “Russian Lullaby.” Perhaps no performance better demonstrates the JGB’s power than the opening “Sugaree” which showcases Garcia’s fiery leads and impassioned vocal, Keith’s brilliant, understated accompaniment, and John Kahn & Ron Tutt’s deep pocket groove. It’s enough to put a smile on anyone’s face while giving you a few things to ponder at the same time. *Caveat: “Mighty High” is sourced from an undated recording we suspect was made around this time.
1. Sugaree - November 13th, 1976 at East Gym, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California
2. They Love Each Other - November 13th, 1976 at East Gym, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California
3. Catfish John - November 12th, 1976 at Freeborn Hall, University of California Davis
4. Midnight Moonlight - November 12th, 1976 at Freeborn Hall, University of California Davis
5. How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) - November 13th, 1976 at East Gym, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California
6. Friend of the Devil - November 13th, 1976 at East Gym, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California
7. Russian Lullaby - November 7th, 1976 at Keystone Berkeley, California
8. Tore Up Over You - November 7th, 1976 at Keystone Berkeley, California
9. I’ll Take A Melody - November 7th, 1976 at Keystone Berkeley, California
10. After Midnight - November 7th, 1976 at Keystone Berkeley, California
11. Stir It Up - November 7th, 1976 at Keystone Berkeley, California
12. Mystery Train - November 13th, 1976 at East Gym, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California
13. The Way You Do The Things You Do - November 12th, 1976 at Freeborn Hall, University of California Davis
14. Mighty High - 1976, Unknown
