Jerry Garcia ‘GarciaLive Volume 22’ Features 1971 Show With Merl Saunders, Bill Kreutzmann & More

A new recording from the Jerry Garcia Estate is set for release on May 1 and is available for pre-order through Garcia Family Provisions. GarciaLive Volume 22: September 25th, 1971 documents a show at San Anselmo, California’s intimate Lion’s Share with Garcia joined by Merl Saunders, Bill Kreutzmann and Tom Fogerty.

In fall 1971, Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman John Fogerty's brother Tom Fogerty had recently left CCR and joined Jerry in a rare two-guitar showing. The lineup also features the always stellar meeting of the minds between Garcia and keyboardist Merl Saunders. Jerry’s Grateful Dead bandmate Bill Kreutzmann sat behind the kit alongside longtime Garcia solo bassist John Kahn, adding a cohesiveness to the rhythm section.

“This quintet specialized in power pockets and strong grooves, giving Garcia space to elaborate and extend his musical knowledge, free from the expectations that followed him elsewhere. The key ingredient was fun,” as per jerrygarcia.com.

GarciaLive Volume 22: September 25th, 1971, captured by Betty Cantor-Jackson and Bob Matthews, boasts most of both the early and late shows although portions of the 1/4″ analog reels were lost to the ravages of time. Read more about the new live record below:

The setlist brims with rarities born from the band members’ restless energy for exploration. Garcia and Saunders stretch the room wide, opening with a ten-minute Saunders original that dissolves into an ethereal instrumental reading of John Lennon’s “Imagine.” Garcia’s tender vocal on Blind Lemon Jefferson’s “One Kind Favor” contrasts with romping blues and the rare Jesse Winchester gem “Biloxi,” which while carefully restored unfortunately exhibits some lapses in fidelity due to the effects of time.

The late show carries the same adventurous spirit, moving from the bluesy shuffle of “Hi-Heeled Sneakers” into an expansive “Summertime.” Fogerty steps forward with ’50s R&B fire on “Annie Had a Baby” and “W-P-L-J,” the latter once called by Garcia one of his junior high anthems. The set closer, “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” unfortunately does not survive in Bob and Betty’s recording. Aside from the missing finale and the unavoidable tape wear on “Biloxi,” what remains is an intimate performance in a small Marin County club, now preserved in full color.

Preview GarciaLive Volume 22: September 25th, 1971 with “That’s The Touch I Like” below:

GarciaLive Volume 22: September 25th, 1971 Tracklist:

1. Band Introductions
2. Save Mother Earth >
3. Imagine
4. One Kind Favor
5. I Was Made to Love Her
6. Baby What You Want Me to Do?
7. Biloxi
8. Hi-Heel Sneakers
9. Man-Child >
10. Summertime
11. That’s a Touch I Like
12. Annie Had a Baby >
13. W-P-L-J