“Cats Under the Stars” opened the show, which any studied Deadhead knows is similar to a full-bodied wine, it grew better with age.
That night in Milwaukee, which was certainly Deadhead country, the band performed four originals penned by Robert Hunter. While much of Garcia Band’s repertoire was covers, they were always heartfelt soulful arrangements. Keyboard/Organ player Melvin Seals was an integral creative force in what he commonly refers to as Garcia’s “Magic Band.” Drummer David Kemper, stalwart bassist John Kahn, and vocalists Jackie LaBranch & Gloria Jones elevated Garcia’s desire to deeply explore the roots of soul, gospel, jazz, folk, and rock.īy the time November 23 rd rolled around, the Garcia Band had been on a hot tour, highlighted by a powerhouse sit-in from pianist (and then Grateful Dead member) Bruce Hornsby at Hampton Coliseum. Thirty-seven of those shows were with The Jerry Garcia Band, whose tight formation was intact since 1984.
1991 was a massive touring year for Garcia, who played one hundred and twelve shows total, including Grateful Dead, Garcia Band, and with David Grisman. If Garcia was deeply grieving, which most accounts point toward, he was healing by playing his heart out. While 19 are both revered as phenomenal performance years for both the Grateful Dead and Garcia Band, they are shrouded in loss, with the untimely deaths of keyboardist/vocalist Brent Mydland and legendary promoter Bill Graham. The Warfield in San Francisco stood as their home turf. The previous year, the iconic guitarist and bandleader hadn’t taken his band off of the West Coast. In the fall of 1991, the Jerry Garcia Band embarked on their extensive first Fall Tour since 1984.
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