Fortunately for us this was one of those brilliant nights, from the opening chords of Sugaree to an incredible Eleanor Rigby and back thru Tore Up Over You to the closing Midnight Moonlight, Jerry and the tight 4 piece band pulled out all the stops in a show that must have gone well into the morning hours judging by the starting time of 10:30 for opening act Rachel Sweet, probably the reason for the title, "After Midnight"!! As longtime lyricist Robert Hunter alludes to in the liner notes (he is also featured on 2 cuts) this is a pared down Jerry Garcia Band, with Jerry, Ozzie Ahlers on keys, John Kahn providing the bass, and Johnny De Foncesca on drums, allowing an incredible tightness and a very solid sound to this 1980 concert. Let's face it Jerry was a brilliant, fluid, mesmerizing guitarist on his good nights, and on the nights where he wasn't his best he could be down right awful. "Simply one of the finest releases to come out of the Garcia archives since his passing. Rhino is also getting better, not merey recycling old releases but generating impressive material that has never been presented before. One of the best vintage rock releases of 2004 - bar none.
JERRY GARCIA BAND AFTER MIDNIGHT HOW TO
He knew how to make people happy, and in this release that's exactly what he and his gifted engineers achieve.
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He had so many failings, but musically was so imaginative and generous. I recognize this may really anger some listeners, but all I can say is- just listen and then: you tell me.
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In general, Jerry's band had less status than the Dead, but musically they could equal their musical ancestors.
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This album is SO good, in its dynamic range, in its choice of material, in the performances and Garcia's state-of-mind - and in the extraordinary value you get for such a beautiful package, it is quite frankly, better than half the Dick's Picks releases I own and as good as the Dead's best live recorded performances. "Garcia gave to the Dead, and the band's members gave back so much to him in their choice of material, delivery and a style of jamming that has rarely been equaled.