Weakest Show of '88? JGB, December 3, 1988, Orpheum SF

I absolutely love 1988 JGB. There's not much of it, but it's mostly all light and bouncy and healthy sounding and interactive and good. He does speak from stage here, as he did on 7/10/88. That's kind of noteworthy, I guess.

That said, just spun 12/3/88 and it left me whelmed. Bill Reutelhuber made a characteristically great tape, but the show never really goes anywhere. At around 50 minutes each, these sets are quite short. Maybe ol Jer was saving himself for the next night's Bridge Benefit. I dunno.

update: the night before no great shakes, either

LN jg1988-12-03.jgb.all.aud-reutelhuber.20834.shn2flac

Jerry Garcia Band
Orpheum Theatre
1192 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
December 3, 1988 (Saturday)
Reutelhuber shnid-20834 shn2flac

--set I (6 tracks, 47:58)--
s1t01. [0:09] Cats Under The Stars [8:02] [0:20]
s1t02. [0:20] Forever Young [8:27] (1) [1:15]
s1t03. Run For The Roses [5:47] [0:16]
s1t04. Someday Baby [6:15] [0:29]
s1t05. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down [9:18] ->
s1t06. Deal [7:07] (1) [0:14] %

--set II (6 tracks, 51:02)--
s2t01. [0:11] Harder They Come [11:18] [0:45]
s2t02. Waiting For A Miracle [6:06] [0:27]
s2t03. Stop That Train [9:00] [0:36]
s2t04. Think [6:04] [0:05] %
s2t05. Throw Out The Lifeline [4:55] [0:14]
s2t06. Tangled Up In Blue [10:45] (2) [0:35]

! ACT1: JGB #21b (THE Jerry Garcia Band)
! lineup: Jerry Garcia - guitar, vocals;
! lineup: John Kahn - bass;
! lineup: Melvin Seals - keyboards;
! lineup: David Kemper - drums;
! lineup: Jacklyn LaBranch - backing vocals;
! lineup: Gloria Jones - backing vocals.

JGMF:

! Recording: symbols: % = recording discontinuity; / = clipped song; // = cut song; ... = fade in/out; # = truncated timing; [x:xx] = recorded event time. The recorded event time immediately after the song or item name is an attempt at getting the "real" time of the event. So, a timing of [x:xx] right after a song title is an attempt to say how long the song really was, as represented on this recording.

! Jerrybase: https://jerrybase.com/events/19881203-01

! db: https://etreedb.org/shn/19970 (Webber-Small MAP shnf); https://etreedb.org/shn/20834 (this fileset)

! band: http://lostlivedead.blogspot.com/2012/01/jerry-garcia-band-personnel-1975-1995.html

! map: https://goo.gl/maps/mr3oJuLND6u

! JGBP: http://jerrygarciasbrokendownpalaces.blogspot.com/2012/08/orpheum-theatre-1192-market-street.html

! R: field recordist: Bill Reutelhuber

! R: field recording gear: 2x Nakamichi 700/CP701 (in hat) -> Reutelhuber P/S -> dbx type II Encoder -> Cm (Sony TCD5m)

! R: Transfer: Cm (Nakamichi Deck/Azmituth Aligned) -> Mytek Digital 8X96ADC -> Nuendo (using Waves Q10 and Waves C4, 24bit/44.1k) -> SHN. Transfer by Bill Reutelhuber, tracked and SHN'd By Charlie Miller charliemiller87@earthlink.net 12/1/03

! R: really nice tape.

! P: s1t01 CUTS totally unobjectionable, doesn't take too many turns at the end.

! s1t02 (1) Something happening that I can't quite figure out, but Jerry give the crowd a showbiz "Thank you, thank you", to general appreciation.

! P: s1t03 RFTR slowly paced, and some lyrical flubbing out of the gate, as had also happened with Forever Young. I know he played the night before, but he's sound a little sluggish so far.

! P: s1t05 TNTDODD hadn't been played in over a year (10/27/87). I like the intense stacking and picking guitar work 4:20ff, sliding down a string. 5 Melvin takes a turn, not as arranged, I think, but Jerry had already departed from it by doing verses out of order, I think. So he comps for Melvin, who swirls his stuff for a minute, JG digs a little deeper late 5 over 6.

! P: s1t06 Deal also a little sluggish

! s1t06 (1) JG: "Thanks a lot. We'll be back in a few minutes."

! P: s2t01 HTC I had been hoping they'd come out with more juice in set II, but this still crawls out of the gate a little bit.

! P: s2t02 WFAM also drags. So far, just about everything has.

! P: s2t03 STT there we go, around 2:20ish JG plucking some nice light stuff that sounds lovely.

! P: s2t04 Think - I could defend the argument that the '88 versions of this tune are the best versions.

! s2t06 (2) JG: "Thanks a lot. [inaudible]."

Unscary Jerry: Halloween '88

Just another good, clean '88 Garcia Band show. By my count, the "Band Electric" only played 16 gigs the whole of the year, which is a shame, because Garcia's clean, relaxed vibe suits it perfectly.

"Werewolves" is fun, as always, Cats is fine, Forever Young and Stop That Train are both way above average, Think is *terrific*, Lifeline is delightful in its first of only three appearances --I think it would have worn thin-- and Don't Let Go has some great vocal work. Indeed, the vocals outshine the guitar on this night, though the grunge in "Think" is worth hearing. As I say, good clean fun.

Jerry Garcia Band
Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center
10 Tenth Street
Oakland, CA 94607
October 31, 1988 (Monday)
Reutelhuber shnid-21790 shn2flac rename

--main set + encore (6 tracks, 90:14)--
--main set (7 tracks, 86:13-0:13)--
t01. /Werewolves Of London [#5:40] [1:34]
t02. Cats Under The Stars [8:02] [1:05]
t03. Forever Young
t04. Stop That Train [6:32] [0:53]
t05. Run For The Roses [5:19] [2:23]
t06. Think [6:30] [0:31] %
t07. [0:18] Throw Out The Lifeline [4:48] [0:38]
t08. Evangeline [3:18] [0:03]
t09. Don't Let Go [12:05] [2:15]
t10. That Lucky Old Sun [9:33] ->
t11. Deal [6:52] (1) [0:13] % pre-encore [0:13]
--encore (1 track, 0:13+4:01)--
t12. My Sisters And Brothers [3:54] (2) [0:07]

! ACT1: JGB #21b (THE Jerry Garcia Band)
! lineup: Jerry Garcia - guitar, vocals;
! lineup: John Kahn - bass;
! lineup: Melvin Seals - keyboards;
! lineup: David Kemper - drums;
! lineup: Jacklyn LaBranch - backing vocals;
! lineup: Gloria Jones - backing vocals.

JGMF:

! Recording: symbols: % = recording discontinuity; / = clipped song; // = cut song; ... = fade in/out; # = truncated timing; [ ] = recorded event time. The recorded event time immediately after the song or item name is an attempt at getting the "real" time of the event. So, a timing of [x:xx] right after a song title is an attempt to say how long the song really was, as represented on this recording.

! Jerrybase: https://jerrybase.com/events/19881031-01

! db: http://etreedb.org/shn/4378 (Travitz MAD shnf); http://etreedb.org/shn/19857 (unattributed Nak 700 shnf, could be Bill R.); http://etreedb.org/shn/21790 (this fileset).

! band: http://lostlivedead.blogspot.com/2012/01/jerry-garcia-band-personnel-1975-1995.html

! map: https://goo.gl/maps/syxJeJyHJMB2

! JGBP: http://jerrygarciasbrokendownpalaces.blogspot.com/2012/02/henry-j-kaiser-auditorium-oakland.html

! ref: Billboard, November 19, 1988, p. 26. Tickets $18.50-$22.50, $146,150.00 gross on 7,900 tickets sold (sellout).

! R: field recordist: Bill Reutelhuber

! R: field recording gear: Nakamichi 700/CP701 (in hat) > Reutelhuber P/S > dbx 221e type II encoder > Sony TCD5m

! R: field recording media: Maxell XLIIS

! R: field recording location: FOB; Each mic was in front of each stack on each side and about 25 feet back.

! R: transfer Info: Cassette Master (Nakamichi Deck/Azmituth Aligned) > dbx 224x Decoder > Mytek Digital ADC8X96 > Nuendo (24bit/44.1k) > SHN (2 Discs Audio / 1 Disc SHN). Process Info: 1) Processed to a 16 bit file with waves Q10 and L2. 2) Tracked and Normalized with Samplitude v7.02 Professional. Transferred and Process #1 By Bill Reutelhuber. Process #2 By Charlie Miller, charliemiller87@earthlink.net, 1/6/04.

! R: Note From Bill Reutelhuber: "Recorded due to the team effort of about 20 to 30 people!!"

! P: Garcia sounded consistently fresh and lively for '88 JGB shows, and this one is no different. Lots of good little articulations, good energy. He doesn't get all of his lyrics right, but I'd attribute that to the unusual irregularity of the band's gigging during the year: last show before this one was 7/10/88, three and a half months before!

! R: t01 Werewolves clips in.

! P: t03-t04 FY and STT were both very good.

! P: t06 Think: man this just has some great, raunchy guitar tone. Love it.

! song: "Throw Out The Lifeline" (t07): Public debut. Allen: "Based on a hymn by Edwin Smith Ufford, apparently written after observing a lifesaving drill at Point Allerton near Boston, Massachusetts in 1888." It didn't stick around very long, and that's probably fine by me - it's nice, but it just wasn't going to get very interesting, IMO, YMMV.

! P: t09 DLG Yeah! Garcia is growling, and he gives two "whoow!"s late 3, killer stuff. He had done some of this in Werewolves as well. Man, he sounds freaking fantastic. It doesn't get as far out as I might have liked, but it's tight as a drum, including the whole band sticking the final landing. Even the Russian judge gives that one a high 9.

! P: t11 Deal doesn't ever achieve escape velocity for me.

! t11 (1) JG: "Thanks a lot. See y'all later on."

! t12 (2) JG: "G'night everybody."

'We're Havin' Fun" - Healthy, Happy Jerry at the Greek, July 10, 1988

LN jg1988-07-10.jgb.all.aud-reutelhuber.25416.shn2flac

God, this is such a fantastic fileset.

First, the legendary Bill Reutelhuber pulled a tape that just grabs you by the collar and forces you to listen. It is right in your face, in the best possible way.

Second --and I hope this isn't just a tape artifact!-- the show, too, brings tremendous power and energy. It ain't perfect, and in fact there are lots of vocal flubs and occasional group stumbles. But the guitar work elicits notes like "sear" (Like A Road), "incendiary" and "MASSIVE SCRUB" (GOOMLW), "grunge" and "huge peaky notes" (Deal), "extremely hot, with some major fireworks" (Think). Interestingly, the DLG didn't light me up, but I'd like to give it another listen. Garcia sings inventively and with gusto the whole afternoon.

After Forever Young, Jerry avers "We're havin' fun", and it sure does sound like it. I consider this period a peak one for Garcia's health and happiness. His band wasn't playing a ton, but throughout the year, when it did, it and he sounded glad to be making music. 1988 featured a number of guest shots (Howard Wales a couple of times), some rare stage talk (this show), and a number of musically compelling one-offs (Blues for El Salvador on 1/23/88) and sit-ins (Zero in Golden Gate Park before the Dead's Greek show six days after this gig, 7/16/88, a sit-in with Los Lobos at Laguna Seca on 7/31/88). I think we all agree that this probably indicates a Jerry who is relatively clean and loving life. Check it out, or play it for a Jerry-curious friend. You'll be glad you did.

Jerry Garcia Band
Greek Theatre, University of California, Berkeley
2001 Gayley Road
Berkeley, CA 94720
July 10, 1988 (Sunday)
Reutelhuber-Miller shnid-25416 shn2flac

--set I (7 tracks, 52:43)--
s1t01. [0:10] How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) [6:12] [2:45]
s1t02. Mission In The Rain [8:44] [0:44]
s1t03. Like A Road Leading Home [8:00] [0:24]
s1t04. Get Out Of My Life, Woman [8:00] % (1) [0:24]
s1t05. Run For The Roses [4:48] [0:16]
s1t06. My Sisters And Brothers [4:24] ->
s1t07. Deal [7:38] (2) [0:13] %

--set II (7 tracks, 61:35)--
s2t01. Harder They Come [10:18] [0:39]
s2t02. Stop That Train [8:05] [0:24]
s2t03. Forever Young [8:28] (3) [0:47]
s2t04. Think [7:46] [0:22]
s2t05. Evangeline [3:23] [0:04]
s2t06. That Lucky Old Sun [8:58] ->
s2t07. Don't Let Go [12:15] (3) [0:07]

! ACT1: Jerry Garcia Band #21b
! lineup: Jerry Garcia - guitar, vocals;
! lineup: John Kahn - bass;
! lineup: Melvin Seals - keyboards;
! lineup: David Kemper - drums;
! lineup: Jacklyn LaBranch - backing vocals;
! lineup: Gloria Jones - backing vocals.

JGMF:

! Recording: symbols: % = recording discontinuity; / = clipped song; // = cut song; ... = fade in/out; # = truncated timing; [ ] = recorded event time. The recorded event time immediately after the song or item name is an attempt at getting the "real" time of the event. So, a timing of [x:xx] right after a song title is an attempt to say how long the song really was, as represented on this recording.

! Jerrybase: https://jerrybase.com/events/19880710-01

! db: http://etreedb.org/shn/13988 (Dan Cole s2 MAC, shnf); http://etreedb.org/shn/17635 (John Corley MAC, shnf); http://etreedb.org/shn/25416 (this fileset).

! map: https://goo.gl/maps/WkbbdJBKCKJ2

! JGBP: http://jerrygarciasbrokendownpalaces.blogspot.com/2012/02/greek-theater-1815-4th-street-berkeley.html

! R: field recordist: Bill Reutelhuber

! R: field recording location: FOB

! R: field recording gear: 2x Nakamichi 700/CP701 > Reutelhuber power supply > Sony TCD5m

! R: transfer: Cassette Master (Nakamichi Deck/Azmituth Aligned) -> Mytek Digital ADC8X96 ->
Nuendo (24bit/44.1k) ->  Samplitude v7.02 Professional -> SHN (2 Discs Audio / 2 Discs SHN); transferred By Bill Reutelhuber, tracked and SHN'd Charlie Miller, charliemiller87@earthlink.net, 8/5/04; ; jgmf shn2flac 4/18/2015.

! R: Right out of the gate, this tape is a force to be reckoned with. Vocals a little low, instrumentation just shapely. This is a great tape - I love Bill Reutelhuber's work on every level - every tape of his sounds great. Nak 700s have a wonderful bassy fullness that really works when taper is in a great spot with the right angles, everything custom modified by Bill himself (in later years the DAT Brats and others would shorthand this his power supply as a Billbox).

! P: s1t01 HSII does Garcia start on the second verse? Does it go "needed the shelter" and then "opened my eyes at night"? So over 1, he realizes it, but he just decides to go with it. OK, 1:45 he completes the inversion of the first two verses, not in his head about it, sounds strong and focused. Then he does the second verse again, and all is well. (So he does it 2nd verse - 1st verse - 2nd verse.)

! P: s1t02 MITR sounds a little wonky out of the chute, but as they swing into the body of the song they have found each other and the groove.

! P: s1t03 LARLH I am hearing a lot of vocal flubs, which is not really that surprising - xxx JGB #21b dates in this period. Garcia sounds totally engaged, just a little rusty. Vocal inflection 3:22 is great, now his guitar solo late 3 is outstanding! The band swirling up scaffold and webbing, Garcia putting some sear on it.

! P: s1t04 GOOMLW Kemper doesn't jump this as hard as he sometimes did, but he is just such a wonderful drummer. 3:20 Melvin brings in some really bright organ. In 5 Garcia's guitar is as incendiary as 1984 - this is brilliantly urgent guitar playing, aggressive, expressive. @@ 5:57 does a MASSIVE SCRUB, but they lose the tempo for 15 seconds thereafter. I think the band was as stunned at what it was hearing as the crowd, which is gasping and hollering. They lose each other again a little bit. This show does feel like squeaking, rusty metal (which is a good thing) - tons of energy, but there's some grit to oil out.

! s1t04 (1) someone hollers "turn up the bass!", which is a good point. I think that awakens John a little bit, because on RFTR he is audible for the first time. (It's possible I merely perceive it because it was primed by the request - that'd be interesting.)

! P: s1t05 RFTR same flavor as everything so far: a little sloppy, but great energy.

! P: s1t06 Sis and Bros he flubs the lyrics, again!

! P: s1t07 Deal again lots of great grunge, Garcia taking long runs up and down the fretboard through late 3, blended bend right over 4, terrific energy, stacking 4:15. This playing is easily the equal of anything in the first half of the 1980s. At 5:33 they hit a great little platform, and Garcia, in great form, decides not to drop back to the song, but to play his guitar, loudly, for awhile longer. 6:10 huge peaky notes, crowd reports pleasure.

! s1t07 (2) JG set break announcement

! P: s2t03 FY is rather a clusterfuck. He screams at 7:25 ish and it's great, but things are just a little loosy-goosy. More yelling 7:56, screaming, very nice, long vocal sustain 8:08 on the word "stay" ... very cool.

! s2t03 (3) @ 9:00 JG: "We're havin' fun."

! P: s2t04 Think extremely hot, with some major fireworks late 5. Garcia sounds absolutely fantastic. Great feedback over extended notes 6. Man, this is great.

! s2t07 (3) JG: "Thanks a lot. We'll see y'all later."