It is only fitting that in the year of
the Grateful Dead
's Fare Thee Well 50th Anniversary shows that its iconic guitarist finally gets the recognition he deserves. This triple-disc package is the first in a series of archival releases to document the
Jerry Garcia Band
's 13-night run on Broadway. The discs are divided into two acoustic sets -- one from an afternoon matinee performance and the second from the first half of an evening show -- and an electric final act. The band on the first two includes bassist
John Kahn
and drummer
David Kemper
(who also play in the electric version), guitarist
David Nelson
(
New Riders of the Purple Sage
), fiddler
Kenny Kosek
, and
Sandy Rothman
on banjo, dobro, and mandolin. The latter two also provide backing vocals. Highlights in the matinee set include "Deep Ellum Blues,"
Ralph Stanley
's "If I Lose," and
George Jones
' "Ragged But Right." The second set is a bit more spirited with loose but excellent versions of "I've Been All Around This World,"
Jimmie Rodgers
' "Blue Yodel No. 9," and the traditional Appalachian standard "I'm Troubled," as well as
Tex Logan
's "Diamond Joe" (with
Nelson
on lead vocals) and
Mel Tillis
' and
Webb Pierce
's classic honky tonk blues "I Ain't Ever."
The final electric set drops the string players and takes a turn toward groove:
Melvin Seals
plays organ, and
Gloria Jones
Marc Bolan
's widow) and
Jackie LaBranch
offer backing vocals. This is where things catch fire. It includes three fine versions of
Bob Dylan
tunes -- "Forever Young," a ten-minute "Knockin' on Heaven's Door," and a sprightly "Tangled Up in Blue." Soul and reggae are represented by
Holland-Dozier-Holland
's "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" and
Peter Tosh
's "Stop That Train," and there's a raw, early rock & roll take on
Los Lobos
' "Evangeline." Listeners also get fine versions of two originals in "Run for the Roses" and "Gomorrah." This isn't the best
Garcia
performance, but it's far from substandard. Since fans have heard most, if not all of these songs, many times before,
On Broadway: Act One
is more for the completist than the devoted fan. There are some truly inspired moments of guitar interplay between the leader and
on the first two discs, and
Seals
adds another layer of swing and R&B drive to the electric one. Even with the uncertainties of a first-night performance, these musicians are itching to play together; and, as the tape traders know too well, by the end of this two-week run this group would be rattling the rafter. For veteran fans, it's fascinating to hear their more tentative beginnings here. ~ Thom Jurek