GarciaLive Volume One
The GarciaLive series has officially launched!
The first release from the GarciaLive series features a recording from the historic Capitol Theatre in Passaic, New Jersey on March 1, 1980. The band performed an early and a late show on this evening, as was common at the time. The shows were originally multi-tracked on a 24-track mobile rig for WNEW's broadcast of the early show.
The band, which included Garcia on guitar and vocals, partner in crime John Kahn on bass, Ozzie Ahlers on Keys and Johnny de Foncesca on drums at the time, was wrapping up a three-week East Coast run with the performances on this evening. Highlights including "That's All Right, Mama" (made famous by Elvis), an early show encore of "Deal" and a rollicking version of "That's What Love Will Make You Do" show Jerry and the band loose and fluid at the end of the tour.
How did you get it so fast, overnight shipping or download option? I ordered my copy yday from Amazon. Note that you can also order from the Jerry website and plop down an extra $20+ for what looks like a nice t-shirt.
I've listened to these shows once before and graded the early show as Good and the late show as Very Good. Many shows from this East coast tour are Very Good (I think this tour is better than than any Dead tour from the year). I hope I just overlooked the early show a bit and that it is better than I initially thought as I'm not sure a Good show (7, 7.5/10) needs to be officially released. Regardless, it is good to see more Jerry released. Here's hoping for more HOT '78 JGB releases!
To start my collection of this series!
This is a fitting launch to the series. Really enjoyable listening experience. I have it in frequent rotation. It will prompt me to go back thru the other Jerry releases and give a re-listen. My vote for next up: RECONSTRUCTION!
So I'm listening to this release last night when my wife, who is not a Dead or Garcia fan but has learned to live with my obsession, says, "My those guys are playing with a lot of joy." Yep, that about sums it up!
is really good!
Location
Unlike the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, the Capitol in Passiac is no longer with us. I've never been to Passaic, but from what I've heard it was one nice place to see a show. The famous Grateful Dead show from 11/24/78 is a classic. I believe I've read that Garcia had a fondness for the Passaic venue. I think it was owned by legendary concert promoter John Scher.
The new 3/1/80 CD set is in the stores now! I just got it at J&R in lower Manhattan. Was surprised to see this new release, I had no idea it was coming out. I had to buy it!!!