• https://www.dead.net/features/posters-flyers/jerry-garcia-band-bay-area-1978
    Jerry Garcia Band: Bay Area 1978

    Let Me Roll It to You…

    Just in time to celebrate Jerry’s 67th birthday (August 1, of course) comes a new installment in the Pure Jerry series, this one an especially hot selection from 1978. This was a particularly exciting period for the Jerry Garcia Band, which at that time included his perennial bass buddy John Kahn (of course), Buzz Buchanan on drums (who’d played with Jerry since the fall of ’77), his partners in the Dead, Keith Godchaux on piano and Donna Godchaux on vocals, and, at many shows that year, second singer Maria Muldaur, who blended so nicely with Donna.

    We’ve drawn together the listenable/usable/releasable parts of four Northern California shows from the first half of ’78 to create this stellar compilation. Much of the material was culled from consecutive shows in February of 1978, shortly after Jerry, Keith and Donna had returned from fine, high-energy Midwest tour by the Dead (documented wonderfully on Dick Picks Vol. 18). Songs from the 2/18/78 JGB show at the 2,000-seat Marin County Veteran’s Auditorium include a barn-burning “Mystery Train,” the loping “Catfish John,” and, best of all, a spectacular “Lonesome and a Long Way Home” that ambles through all sorts of fascinating moods and spaces over the course of more than 20 minutes. The next night, the JGB landed at the Santa Cruz Civic—a similar-sized venue—and this time the fans (and now, you!) were treated to such tunes as the Motown classics “Second That Emotion” and “The Way You Do the Things You Do” (a great version!), “Mission in the Rain,” Dylan’s “Simple Twist of Fate,” and, the piece de resistance, a 30-minute “Don’t Let Go” featuring generous solos all around and ultra-soulful guitar-and-vocals from Jerry on the “Hold me tight and don’t let go…” passage towards the end. Wild!

    Rounding out this exceptional package are four tunes from June 1978: The 6/10 show at the tiny Keystone Berkeley gives us the bouncy, rockin’ “Tore Up Over You” that opens Disc Two; then, after a couple more tunes, we move to 6/18 at the Keystone Palo Alto—a favorite JGB haunt for many years—for what is arguably the greatest version of Paul McCartney’s “Let Me Roll It” that the group ever played (and there weren’t many), and then superb versions of the still-new “Gomorrah” and the gospel tune “I’ll Be With Thee”—the latter always a fine showcase for Donna and Maria.

    If you loved the ’78 Pure Jerry from the Warner Theatre (3/18/78), this one should be right up your alley, too—it’s definitely primo JG! You can see the full track listing below, and order your copy here!

    —Blair Jackson

    Track List

    DISC ONE

    1. Mystery Train (2/18/78, Veterans Memorial Auditorium)
    2. Catfish John (2/18/78, Veterans Memorial Auditorium)
    3. I Second That Emotion (2/19/78, Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium)
    4. Mission In The Rain (2/19/78, Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium)
    5. Don't Let Go (2/19/78, Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium)

    DISC TWO

    1. Tore Up Over You (6/10/78, Keystone Berkeley)
    2. Simple Twist Of Fate (2/19/78, Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium)
    3. The Way You Do The Things You Do (2/19/78, Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium)
    4. Let Me Roll It (6/18/78, Keystone Palo Alto)
    5. Gomorrah (6/18/78, Keystone Palo Alto)
    6. I'll Be With Thee (6/18/78, Keystone Palo Alto)
    7. Lonesome And A Long Way From Home (2/18/78, Veterans Memorial Auditorium)
    15344

The Band

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    smitty1111
    14 years 4 months ago
    Happy Birthday 67th Jerry
    Larry E.Smith I miss you so much Jerry,I'm in graditude for the other ones,the Dead and Furthur incarnations but you were my favorite of them all,your humor and wit and you would just facinate me with your knowledge of Music and tie it in with so many cool things like synchronicity and current events as well as whats currently happening with you at the moment,2010 just doe'snt make much sense to me and I hope next year will be a much better year than this one,cool people need to stick together and feed each other batteries,this is so lacking and makes me sad,sending this to you via cyberspace.Be Well need a eyes 10/19/1974 and a New Potatoe Caboose 2/14/1968
  • Default Avatar
    LIG71
    15 years 2 months ago
    Love it
    What a performance!To be honest i didn't know what to expect as i thought the set list was ok but nothing special. Well, i was absolutely amazed by the quality of each song, individually starting right from Disc1 song 1. Mystery train version is a real gem, and true to this collection name: Pure jerry... Catfish john version is enromous as well, mission in the rain so poignant... great jamming on don't let go. Stunning early version of Simple twist of fate. great job Mr lemieux and thanks to the Garcia family involved... So thanks you ever so much for another release of pure Jerry. A great JGB is always giving me a unique feeling of love and peacefulness. Can't resist asking for a reconstruction for the next edition...would be great , although i would also be happy with Cosmic badger request.... Thanks to keep them coming for all the generations to come, remember you are on duty here! Merci et bravo!
  • cosmicbadger
    15 years 2 months ago
    happier
    Arrived on Friday. It's simply outstanding! The liner notes say 'Released by : Annabelle, Theresa and Tiff Garcia, Heather Garcia Katz and Sunshine Kesey' thanks to you all for sharing! Maybe a JGB-with-Nicky Hopkins release next please??
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16 years 2 months

Let Me Roll It to You…

Just in time to celebrate Jerry’s 67th birthday (August 1, of course) comes a new installment in the Pure Jerry series, this one an especially hot selection from 1978. This was a particularly exciting period for the Jerry Garcia Band, which at that time included his perennial bass buddy John Kahn (of course), Buzz Buchanan on drums (who’d played with Jerry since the fall of ’77), his partners in the Dead, Keith Godchaux on piano and Donna Godchaux on vocals, and, at many shows that year, second singer Maria Muldaur, who blended so nicely with Donna.

We’ve drawn together the listenable/usable/releasable parts of four Northern California shows from the first half of ’78 to create this stellar compilation. Much of the material was culled from consecutive shows in February of 1978, shortly after Jerry, Keith and Donna had returned from fine, high-energy Midwest tour by the Dead (documented wonderfully on Dick Picks Vol. 18). Songs from the 2/18/78 JGB show at the 2,000-seat Marin County Veteran’s Auditorium include a barn-burning “Mystery Train,” the loping “Catfish John,” and, best of all, a spectacular “Lonesome and a Long Way Home” that ambles through all sorts of fascinating moods and spaces over the course of more than 20 minutes. The next night, the JGB landed at the Santa Cruz Civic—a similar-sized venue—and this time the fans (and now, you!) were treated to such tunes as the Motown classics “Second That Emotion” and “The Way You Do the Things You Do” (a great version!), “Mission in the Rain,” Dylan’s “Simple Twist of Fate,” and, the piece de resistance, a 30-minute “Don’t Let Go” featuring generous solos all around and ultra-soulful guitar-and-vocals from Jerry on the “Hold me tight and don’t let go…” passage towards the end. Wild!

Rounding out this exceptional package are four tunes from June 1978: The 6/10 show at the tiny Keystone Berkeley gives us the bouncy, rockin’ “Tore Up Over You” that opens Disc Two; then, after a couple more tunes, we move to 6/18 at the Keystone Palo Alto—a favorite JGB haunt for many years—for what is arguably the greatest version of Paul McCartney’s “Let Me Roll It” that the group ever played (and there weren’t many), and then superb versions of the still-new “Gomorrah” and the gospel tune “I’ll Be With Thee”—the latter always a fine showcase for Donna and Maria.

If you loved the ’78 Pure Jerry from the Warner Theatre (3/18/78), this one should be right up your alley, too—it’s definitely primo JG! You can see the full track listing below, and order your copy here!

—Blair Jackson

Track List

DISC ONE

1. Mystery Train (2/18/78, Veterans Memorial Auditorium)
2. Catfish John (2/18/78, Veterans Memorial Auditorium)
3. I Second That Emotion (2/19/78, Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium)
4. Mission In The Rain (2/19/78, Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium)
5. Don't Let Go (2/19/78, Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium)

DISC TWO

1. Tore Up Over You (6/10/78, Keystone Berkeley)
2. Simple Twist Of Fate (2/19/78, Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium)
3. The Way You Do The Things You Do (2/19/78, Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium)
4. Let Me Roll It (6/18/78, Keystone Palo Alto)
5. Gomorrah (6/18/78, Keystone Palo Alto)
6. I'll Be With Thee (6/18/78, Keystone Palo Alto)
7. Lonesome And A Long Way From Home (2/18/78, Veterans Memorial Auditorium)
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15 years 7 months
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This is awesome 2 amazing releases on Jerry's Birthday, you guys just made my day! The Road Trips release is cool, but this Pure Jerry release just makes me smile from ear to ear. Just anxiously awaiting delivery now. Happy Birthday Jerry, we all miss you and are Still Grateful.
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I'm a stickler for complete shows as far as the Greatful Dead goes and I appreciate that most of the pure jerry series have been full shows. This release, though, has exactly what I want to hear--my favorite JGB lineup! Complete shows are always prefered but not as essential for the Jerry band as compared to the Dead.
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16 years 4 months
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OK I'm ready for this. Money Paid!! After the other earlier 70s Pure Jerry Releases Blew me out the freaking window onto the front lawn!! The JGB Band sure had Power, Unreal. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JERRY !! JGB Forever!! DarkStarr1971
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17 years 5 months
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so good to see the Pure Jerry Series back on track. Can't wait to hear this one.
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17 years 5 months
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so good to see the Pure Jerry Series back on track. Can't wait to hear this one.
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17 years 5 months
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Wow!!! sounds great...count me in...order placed
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15 years 11 months
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Happy Birthday... Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the light you shed.. "I've stayed in every blue-light cheap hotel. Can't win for tryin. Dust off those rusty strings just one more time. Gonna make em shine."
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Missed the PJ series, I can only assume they were on hold due to the estate lawsuits out there. Great way to remember Jerry on his birthday, with some great looking music by the way.
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16 years 7 months
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If yuo have any doubtsm check out the Listening Party. Jerry just shreds it up on Mystery Train, and the band is great. The Way You Do the Thing You Do is real sweet, very nice version. Nice vocals from the ladies too. (oh, and the other release sounds damn fine too!) Get em both if u can!! LOL
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17 years 6 months
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The hottest. Can't wait for this. The Warner Theatre release is one of my all time favorites (that Mission in the Rain especially - it's like one of my favorite things of any type ever... y'know, like there's pizza, girls, THAT Mission... not necessarily in that order...anyway...). So, yeah, this oughta be a good'n. Happy Birthday Jer - I celebrated properly for you and with you yesterday.
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17 years 5 months
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Mystery Train is awesome! Jerry in fine form; am dancing around the kitchen; happiness abounds...
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My first show was the reconstruction period 1979 Keystone Palo Alto ,long time overlooked by Berkeley Keystone,would like to see 1979 Keystone think it was in June,they would'nt let me in because I was'nt drinking age but they were cool enough to let me watch the show from the door :} then 1980 came and jumped on the grateful Dead bus,still on it. looking for Fresno 1974 with a really ripping Eyes which was really good throughout that years.Larry "HAPPY Bitrhday Jerry"
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I was walking down University avenue in palo alto window shopping,getting ready to frequent my favorite health food store ,when one of the guys came up to me to give me the sad news,I did'nt believe him at first but the news mentioned it,it was pretty full page ,flags at half mass it was big news,just like when John Lennon got shot and Elvis dying,can't say much about Michael Jackson but the heavy hitter rock 'n rollers,I still feel sad about it my lifestyle had to be revised :{,luckily alot of my friends desended down upon are favorite Record store here in Santa Rosa in "Mass"with all his human frailties and all he transended what a musician was he truly put his humor,warmth and personality into all his music,it showed,he was real,his music Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia Band helped us through some hard times,sad times,fun & loving times it was a soundtrack for our lives.Be Well Larry Peace thru music
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16 years 1 month
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Can't beieve it's been 14 years. Just got a take it Day by Day wiyh Everything. Really miss you Jerry Bear. Dino K
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16 years 9 months
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Love them dearly and look forward to each new one released. But I have to say the song selections are almost the same as all the other ones out there. Would love to hear a "Twilight" a killer "Ruben and Cherise" just name a few. Keep 'em coming though I know there are alot of gems out there.
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16 years 3 months
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Thank you again for making this compilation available. I enjoyed the "listening party" sample tracks, so I will enjoy the whole album even more.
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15 years 3 months
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order placed, can't wait!
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17 years 5 months
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Just listened to Mystery Train online - If there is any hesitation buying this there should not be after you listen - absolutely insane - Go Jerry!
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17 years 6 months
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This is awesome to get 2 great releases introduced during "Jerry Week". Please think for next year to have a release ready so that we could actually listen to them during this week. Its now the end of August, and still no order shipped. Anyway, keep the great music flowing. How about a DVD box set next. We are all desperate for some new HQ surround sound GD DVD release!!
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15 years 10 months
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should we expect to get the pre ordered discs any1 have an idea,i know they said late august and here we r any1 recieve theres yet...ty
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16 years 8 months
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mine just arrived (along with RT, Vol. 2, No. 4). can't wait to hear it!
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17 years 6 months
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I think this is my favorite lineup of the JGB - Jerry's guitar is fluid but raunchy, Donna and Maria are on-key and well blended, Keith is imaginative and funky (in a way he really wasn't with the Dead in 78), and the rhythm section is just ON. Funnily enough 1978 isn't a super great year for the Dead but I think it's my favorite year for the JGB - maybe those two are inversely related somehow (though considering other hot years for both, probably not). Anyway, this is surely a double treat set of goods, and thanks to the GFLLC and the rest of the folks responsible for putting it out.
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15 years 8 months
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just got mine 8-31-09 sounds great have to get more shows of GJB Greg
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15 years 9 months
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I received my "Pure Jerry "CDs earlier this week, and theyre great !I remember seeing The JGB a couple of times in 1978 as well as The Grateful Dead . It was a great year in my opinion.CD Nice start with Mystery train and a nice long Train as well, ( (8:27) its so upbeat and refreshing ! Jerry has a screaming raw guitar sound on this and Keith Godchauxs piano is clean and crisp. Catfish John is soo sweet, again clean piano and Donna Jean right with Jerry makes a nice clean vocal mix, almost sounds like a studio recording, nice guitar sound, Jerry just rollin and laid back with a big tone, building throughout the song, really made me think of New Orleans ! Theres the first 2 songs, in a " nut shell" and thats just the first 2, of 12- great gems on this package, I reccommend getting this one. Its a great deal with the 3 " Road Trips " Grateful Dead CDS. worth buying.... enjoy , More " reviews " to come play on
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17 years 6 months
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Great stuff with a LOT of groove. Reminiscent of After Midnight, although of course that's a different lineup. No little schwaggy extras like some of the earlier Pure Jerry series had. Then again, I never quite understood the significance of the napkin! According to the liner notes, this was put out by Jerry's daughter and family, with no mention of Deborah Koons Garcia, so I can only presume that the legal shenanigans are more or less settled. And dig this...Don't Let Go is a half hour long!
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16 years 9 months
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but I am sooo glad that I got this! Just the Lonesome And A Long Way From Home is worth it. I only wish that they would restarted this series with some from 76,77, then 78. Great stuff though!
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17 years 1 month
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I always thought of Catfish John as one of those just OK tunes we had to listen to until Jerry got to the good stuff. That is, until I heard THIS version of Catfish John. The band just plays the shit out of it. And Jerry's solos? So sweet. Was he playing that aluminum-necked thing during that tour? His playing has that metallic tone of 77. Not complaining, I think he sounds great.
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15 years 2 months
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GOT MINE IN THE MAIL TODAY, ALL THE WAY OUT HERE IN THE MIDDLE EAST!!! HAD HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS AND WAS NOT LET DOWN AT ALL!!!
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17 years 5 months
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Arrived on Friday. It's simply outstanding! The liner notes say 'Released by : Annabelle, Theresa and Tiff Garcia, Heather Garcia Katz and Sunshine Kesey' thanks to you all for sharing! Maybe a JGB-with-Nicky Hopkins release next please??
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What a performance!To be honest i didn't know what to expect as i thought the set list was ok but nothing special. Well, i was absolutely amazed by the quality of each song, individually starting right from Disc1 song 1. Mystery train version is a real gem, and true to this collection name: Pure jerry... Catfish john version is enromous as well, mission in the rain so poignant... great jamming on don't let go. Stunning early version of Simple twist of fate. great job Mr lemieux and thanks to the Garcia family involved... So thanks you ever so much for another release of pure Jerry. A great JGB is always giving me a unique feeling of love and peacefulness. Can't resist asking for a reconstruction for the next edition...would be great , although i would also be happy with Cosmic badger request.... Thanks to keep them coming for all the generations to come, remember you are on duty here! Merci et bravo!
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17 years 5 months
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Larry E.Smith I miss you so much Jerry,I'm in graditude for the other ones,the Dead and Furthur incarnations but you were my favorite of them all,your humor and wit and you would just facinate me with your knowledge of Music and tie it in with so many cool things like synchronicity and current events as well as whats currently happening with you at the moment,2010 just doe'snt make much sense to me and I hope next year will be a much better year than this one,cool people need to stick together and feed each other batteries,this is so lacking and makes me sad,sending this to you via cyberspace.Be Well need a eyes 10/19/1974 and a New Potatoe Caboose 2/14/1968