GarciaLive Vol 18 - November 2nd, 1974 - Keystone Berkeley (2CD)

One of the Grateful Dead guitarist's most favored clubs, Keystone gigs found Garcia laid back and ready to explore. Such is the case for the 18th installment of the GarciaLive archival series, as well as the half-dozen other official live releases taped at the Berkley venue. Serving beside longtime collaborators Garcia and Saunders is ever-present bassist John Kahn, as well as prolific session drummer Paul Humphrey, and future Legion of Mary bandmate Martin Fierro.

The recordings captured on 1/4" analog reels by Betty Cantor Jackson hear Garcia and company explore a wide range of influences, highlighted by the first set sequence of Donny Hathaway's "Valdez In The Country", Jimmy Cliff's "The Harder They Come", and Randy Newman's "You Can Leave Your Hat On". The latter is available now on streaming services and illustrates the after-dark jazz-funk leanings that Saunders and Garcia inspired in each other.

Release date 06.10.2022