Don't
Let Go review
The music on Don't Let
Go was recorded May 21, 1976, at the Orpheum Theatre, and it is
the first to feature a complete Jerry Garcia Band concert. Grateful
Dead Merchandise has released several different line-ups of the
Jerry Garcia Band to date. This is the first to feature Keith
Godchaux on piano and Donna Godchaux on vocals; both were members of
the Grateful Dead at the time this concert was recorded.
The first disc includes
gorgeous renditions of songs that are regular rotations with the
Jerry Garcia Band and a few that were staples in the Grateful Dead's
repertoire. I realize I am in the minority, but this version of
"Sugaree" rivals even the famous May 1977 versions the
Grateful Dead played, and the performance of "They Love Each
Other" deserves similar praises.
The rendition of the Motown
single "That's What Love Will Make You Do" takes on a
bluesy tone and it sounds awesome. It includes a four to five minute
instrumental that is typical of this release. It begins with Jerry
and Keith playing melodies together. Shortly thereafter it is
Keith's turn for a piano solo. Not to be left out Jerry takes his
turn. To end, Keith joins Jerry and the two simultaneously pour out
the melodies of the song from their instruments in brilliant
fashion.
The last song on disc one
"Don't Let Go" is the beginning of set two. This is a
monstrous version and includes the most exploratory playing of the
release.
Donna Godchaux seems more
comfortable in this band than she did with Grateful Dead both as a
back up singer and lead vocalists. As a result, when she gets the
spotlight for "Strange Man" she doesn't disappoint.
The show closes with
Lonesome and "A Long Way From Home." When I listen to the
closing instrumental it sounds as if Jerry is testing out riffs that
later would wind up as the foundation of the Grateful Dead's
"Fire On The Mountain."
The song "Mighty
High" is not from the Orpheum concert, but from the Keystone
Berkeley recorded September 11, 1976.
Don't Let Go has
much more to offer than what is noted here. If you are a fan of
hearing melodic guitar and piano riffs spilling off of each other
you'll treasure this. The interplay between Keith and Jerry is
different that what you hear with the Grateful Dead or any other
Jerry Garcia Band line up. This is easily one of my favorite compact
discs, bar none. by Barry
Small©
Grade
A
+
