Side A
Jerry Garcia opens the first
set with “The Way You Do The Things You Do,” and right away his sweet vocals work
to raise my spirits. This is a slightly mellow version, feeling just a bit
slow, but I’m digging it. Its pace and vibe might help us ease into a better
place, a place that might be nearby, but is normally hidden from view by daily
worries and troubles. It takes a certain dose of magic to reveal it, and
Jerry’s guitar is often just the thing. The jam is fairly loose, and Melvin
Seals delivers some cool work on keys. There isn’t any real exploration in the
jam; it’s more about letting the groove carry you. And as they finish the song,
Jerry, Gloria Jones and Jacklyn LaBranch give us a beautiful vocal section.
They follow that with a gorgeous and moving rendition of Van Morrison’s “And It
Stoned Me,” with an easygoing vibe that should have you smiling before long.
Everything about this is comforting, Jerry’s guitar like a beacon guiding us
home. This is just what I needed, possibly what a lot of folks need now. Jerry’s
voice sounds so good here, and accompanied by those soulful backing vocals, the
song edges closer to a spiritual experience. And when Jerry starts to belt the
lyrics out at the end, the universe feels all right. You know?
Side B
The Jerry Garcia Band turns to
rock and roll with a cover of Chuck Berry’s “You Never Can Tell.” This is a
delight, with that innocence, that sense of fun that Jerry is able to tap into
with ease. His approach to Chuck Berry’s material is about the soul, the
groove, the joy of it. The band jams on this one a bit, and it’s wonderful.
Every second of this track is a joy. And Melvin Seals delivers some great stuff
here. I wouldn’t have expected this particular song to be a highlight of this
show, but there it is. They follow that with Bruce Cockburn’s “Waiting For A
Miracle.” It may feel like we’re all waiting for a miracle these days, one that
refuses to come, but listening to this music gives us a certain strength, the feeling
that we are able to handle whatever problems may come. The band then dips into
reggae with a cover of Jimmy Cliff’s “Struggling Man,” a song I’ve always
loved. The first reggae album I ever bought was not Bob Marley’s Legend, but rather a live Jimmy Cliff
album, and I listened to that thing over and over. This song was on it. David
Kemper in no way dilutes that reggae rhythm, but fully embraces it, and that is
part of what makes this such a joyous and vibrant rendition. There is a great
happiness to this track.
Side C
“My Sisters And Brothers” feels
like a perfect song for right now (and I suppose it always does), with lines
like “Through this world of trouble/We’ve
got to love one another.” This has such a positive sound, I can’t help but
feel optimistic. I’m not into religion, but sometimes a touch of gospel music
is just exactly the thing to raise our spirits and ease our minds. No way to
deny that. And Jerry delivers it with a passion, making believers of us all.
The first set then concludes with a rousing rendition of “Deal.” This is
usually not one of my favorites, partly because it was played so often, and
seemingly always as a Set I closer, but I have to say I am seriously digging
this rendition. I think it’s because of the joy in the playing by the entire
band. And the energy toward the end is tremendous.
Side D
The second set eases in with
“Shining Star.” Jerry was on this night, especially vocally, and here he
delivers a passionate and pretty rendition of the song made famous by The Manhattans.
Jerry can deliver an earnest love song like the best of them. The jam is pretty
too. It has a gentle ending, which works really well. Things then get fun with
a groovy, delicious version of “Think.” The jam here is great, with a glorious
energy, particularly from Melvin Seals. Holy moly, he really delivers here,
helping to make this another surprising highlight of the show.
Side E
Things are hopping with the version
of “Lay Down Sally” that opens the album’s fifth side. It has a cheerful groove
that should keep you smiling. Honestly, it seems this entire concert is
designed to raise our spirits. What better choice of music could there be
today? The band jams on this one, while John Kahn maintains that delicious
groove on bass. That’s followed by “Twilight,” a rare treat. This is a
mellower, more soulful, more thoughtful number, written by Robbie Robertson and
originally recorded by The Band. This version by Jerry Garcia Band is much
better than the original, much more moving, and includes a sweet jam. Jerry
really shines on these slower numbers “Don’t
leave me alone in the twilight/Because twilight is the loneliest time of day.”
Side F
Jerry Garcia delivers another
soulful and passionate vocal performance on “See What Love Can Do,” which was
also a rarity. This is a song I just want to wrap myself up in, let it keep the
troubles of the world at bay. “I want to
see a smile on every face/When you tell your story/Be sure that it’s
right/Every single word is true/See what love can do.” The band then eases
into “Lazy Bones,” and I love Jerry’s intimate vocal performance right from the
start. It is absolutely gorgeous. This is Jerry at his best. There is something
gentle and soothing about this track, which is another highlight for me. It is
a seriously beautiful performance.
Side G
The show then concludes with a
fun and kind of sweet rendition of “Everybody Needs Somebody To Love.” Jerry’s
take on this song is quite a bit different from the version most of us know by
The Blues Brothers. This has a more relaxed tempo, but still with a bright
energy. And the band lets loose during the jam. The eighth side of this album,
by the way, contains no music, but has an etching in the vinyl which reads, “Jerry
Garcia Band, Electric On The Eel.”
Record Track List
Side A
- The Way You Do The Things You Do
- And It Stoned Me
- You Never Can Tell (C’Est La Vie)
- Waiting For A Miracle
- Struggling Man
- My Sisters And Brothers
- Deal
- Shining Star
- Think
Side E
- Lay Down Sally
- Twilight
- See What Love Can Do
- Lazy Bones
Side G
- Everybody Needs Somebody To Love
This vinyl edition of Electric
On The Eel: August 10th, 1991 was released on August 2, 2019.
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