GarciaLive, Vol. 2: August 5th 1990 Greek Theatre in Bloomington, MN

The second volume of
GarciaLive
finds
Jerry
with some downtime from
the Dead
in the summer of 1990, doing a laid-back afternoon performance on home turf at Berkeley, California's Greek Theatre. Joined by a later incarnation of
the Jerry Garcia Band
,
Garcia
's trademark guitar style and grainy vocals are augmented by a core rhythm section of
John Kahn
and
David Kemper
as well as prominently featured organ flair from
Melvin Seals
and soul-tinged backing vocals from
Gloria Jones
Jaclyn LaBranch
. Though it was recorded a full decade after the first installment of this
Dick's Picks
-like concert archive series,
Vol. 2
shares a lot of the same songs from the set list of
Vol. 1
. Tracks like "That's What Love Will Make You Do," "Deal," "Midnight Moonlight," and others appear again, though the feel of the set is far more jammy, summery, and laid-back than
, which was bluesy and amped by relative
standards. The protracted and stumbly vibe of the set presented here evokes the archetypal languid outdoor concert energy that
the Grateful Dead
all but defined in their endless touring, and
's takes on roots rock classics by
the Band
Van Morrison
, and later-period
Dylan
help capture the stoned summertime musical snapshot all the more. What truly sets this volume apart from its predecessor is the guest spot by banjo virtuoso
Bela Fleck
on two songs, reaching a burning apex on the group's bluegrass/reggae/jam band hybrid take on
Jimmy Cliff
's "The Harder They Come."
's ever-rusty voice takes a back seat to electric soloing by
Fleck
and some of the more competent and tasteful accompaniment of the entire set. ~ Fred Thomas