Live At Keystone Vol. 2

構成数 : 1枚
合計収録時間 : 00:43:35
Personnel: Jerry Garcia (vocals, guitar); Merl Saunders (keyboards); John Kahn (bass); Bill Vitt (drums). Producers: Merl Saunders, Jerry Garcia, John Kahn, Bill Vitt. Recorded live at The Keystone, Berkeley, California in July 1973. Personnel: Jerry Garcia (vocals, guitar); Merl Saunders (keyboards); Bill Vitt (drums). Recording information: Berkeley, CA; Keystone. Photographers: Annie Liebovitz; Phil Bray. Unknown Contributor Roles: Tony Lane; Phil Bray; Bill Vitt; John Kahn; Rex Jackson. Arrangers: Bill Vitt; Jerry Garcia; John Kahn; Merl Saunders. The route that this material took from its initial double-LP form to CD has been spread over a logic-defying series of releases -- many of which (like this one) clock in at under an hour. In essence, the five numbers on this package represent the second disc of the two-record set with the addition of a 1988 remix of "Mystery Train" -- which was not on the LPs or the subsequent Keystone Encores. Confused yet? If so, let the music speak for itself as Live at Keystone is chocked with inspired covers, each respectively extended and collectively improvised by co-instrumental leads Jerry Garcia (guitar/vocals) and Merl Saunders (organ) with Bill Vitt (drums) and John Kahn (bass). This was an ad-hoc configuration, as opposed to the organized touring unit that Garcia developed as the Jerry Garcia Band. From December of 1970 until the spring of 1974 -- prior to the combo evolving into the Legion of Mary -- the guitarist could often be found performing sporadically in and around San Francisco between engagements with the Grateful Dead. The quartet ably fuse rock with jazz in their spacy unfettered jams. These emerge from an eclectic composite of R&B and blues to seminal rock oldies and even popular standards. Contrasting his contributions to the Grateful Dead, Garcia seems to invest additional time to dig in and explore the melodies thoroughly. The supremely crafted "My Funny Valentine" is the launchpad for a truly creative zenith as much as it is likewise a remake of the traditional pop standard. The entire familiar structure has been gutted and upgraded to a jazzy, intuitive groove. Similarly, "Like a Road Leading Home" is taken to a new emotive strata when compared to Albert King's original as the quartet develop an earthier, almost palpable feel that King merely hints at. Stylistically contrary is the frolicking optimistic "That's Alright Mama" with Kahn playfully plunging below Garcia's clear toned strings. The "bonus" "Mystery Train" arguably offers up the best example of the strong sonic bond existing between not only Garcia and Saunders, but also Kahn -- as the trio propels the rhythm into an open exchange of instantaneous ideas. It is no wonder they stayed together through the mid-'70s and then reunited in 1979 for the criminally short-lived outfit Reconstruction. However, these earlier and more intimate recordings from the Keystone provide a glimpse of Garcia's enormously and oft overlooked range as a musician and arranger. ~ Lindsay Planer
録音 : ステレオ (Live)