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Jerry Garcia Band: GarciaLive Vol. 1: Capitol Theatre, 3/1/80

Nearly four years after the last Pure Jerry release, the Jerry Garcia Estate has finally started rolling out new live archival sets featuring the Grateful Dead singer/guitarist’s solo projects. If the first installment of a new series dubbed “GarciaLive” is any indication, then the next set of releases will be worth the wait. GarciaLive Vol. 1 contains every note that the Jerry Garcia Band performed during early and late shows at the historic Capitol Theatre in Passaic, N.J., on March 1, 1980. This version of JGB finds the guitarist backed by longtime collaborator John Kahn on bass, Ozzie Ahlers on keyboards and Johnny de Foncesca on drums. Garcia was in fine form on this night and benefits greatly from Ahlers’ disco-toned contributions and the steady work of the rhythm section. Highlights include an exceptional, jammed-out “Sugaree,” a solemn cover of “Simple Twist of Fate” and a spot-on rendition of “Mission in the Rain.”