‘Live At The Warfield’ Documents Memorable 1991 Jerry Garcia Band Run

A standout Jerry Garcia Band run from The Warfield in San Francisco February 28 – March 2, 1991 is set to see an official release on July 25. Live at The Warfield is previewed with Jerry and company’s cover of the Motown classic “The Way You Do The Things You Do.”

Guitarist Jerry Garcia’s relationship with The Warfield began when the Grateful Dead delivered a 15-show residency at the historic theatre in Fall 1980. The Dead would perform at the venue five more times spanning 1982 and ‘83, bringing GD’s grand total to 20 shows at The Warfield.

Jerry Garcia would far surpass that mark in his solo format, performing at the venue 130 times. Garcia’s dressing room at The Warfield was adorned with a purple door, gold star and simply read “Jerry.” That door remains in the venue to this day and inspired the artwork for the Live at The Warfield collection.

16 of Garcia’s 130 performances at The Warfield came in 1991 alone. Perhaps one of the most memorable runs that year came February 28 – March 2. The Jerry Garcia Band lineup at the time consisted of bassist John Kahn, keyboardist Melvin Seals, drummer David Kemper and vocalists Jacklyn LaBranch and Gloria Jones.

Read about highlights of the shows below via Garcia Family Provisions:

The band always seemed to be having fun on stage, and that energy is felt from the run’s opening notes, with a particularly bubbly rendition of “The Way You Do the Things You Do” kicking things off. Highlights from February 28 include a primo “You Never Can Tell,” a dynamite duo of “My Sisters and Brothers” and “Deal” to close the first set, and soulful takes on “Waiting for a Miracle,” “Stop That Train” and “Midnight Moonlight.”

The fun continues on March 1 with a playful tune-up on Argent’s “Hold Your Head Up,” leading into a punchy “Cats Under the Stars” as the stage curtain rises. Cited by some as one of the decade’s best shows, the middle night is punctuated by powerful double doses of Van Morrison (“He Ain’t Give You None” and “And It Stoned Me”) and Bob Dylan (“Forever Young” and “Positively 4th Street”). But it’s the boundless “Don’t Let Go” that takes listeners on a veritable wild ride, stretching over 20 mesmerizing minutes.

The run closes on March 2 with another strong show from start to finish, featuring a setlist that balances hard-hitting ballads with roof-raising rave-ups. Dylan remains well represented with a moving version of “I Shall Be Released,” a dark and spooky “Señor” and a barn-burning “Tangled Up in Blue.” With performances like these, it’s easy to see how The Warfield cemented its place in the hearts and minds of Garcia and the greater Deadhead community.

The “bubbly” “The Way You Do The Things You Do” is in reference to Jerry Garcia Band’s reggae spin on the Smokey Robinson/Bobby Rogers-penned 1964 hit from The Temptations. Listen to JGB perform “The Way You Do The Things You Do” from The Warfield on February 28, 1991 below:

The February 28, 1991 concert will also be available in vinyl formats on July 25 with the additional two shows becoming available later this year. Head to Garcia Family Provisions for more info.