A Heartfelt Goodbye: Los Lobos Covers Jimmy Cliff’s ‘Sitting In Limbo’ In Chicago

Last night, Los Lobos took time during their concert near Chicago to honor the late Jimmy Cliff. The East L.A.-based band unveiled a cover of Cliff’s “Sitting In Limbo” just hours after the reggae legend's death.

Jimmy Cliff died on Monday at age 81 “due to a seizure followed by pneumonia,” according to a statement released by his family. Los Lobos performed their first documented version of “Sitting In Limbo” towards the middle of their first of two consecutive shows at Evanston SPACE.

Cliff wrote “Sitting In Limbo” with arranger/producer Guilly Bright for inclusion on his 1971 studio album Another Cycle. “Sitting In Limbo” also appeared on the 1972 soundtrack for the film The Harder They Come.

Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia famously covered “Sitting In Limbo” 120 times between 1974 and 1994 with various solo projects including Garcia & Grisman, Garcia & Merl Saunders, Legion Of Mary and the Jerry Garcia Band. Billy Strings, Widespread Panic, Fiona Apple, The Neville Brothers and Jorma Kaukonen are among other artists who have performed the song live.

Los Lobos’ take on “Sitting In Limbo” paid tribute to the original reggaefied arrangement. Guitarist David Hidalgo handled lead vocals on the cover debut.

Watch fan-captured clips of Los Lobos performing “Sitting In Limbo” below:

Hidalgo also joined opener Dave Herrero during his set for the Felix Reyes-penned “Angeline.” See audience-shot footage of the joint performance below:

Los Lobos returns to Evanston SPACE tonight.