Friday, September 18, 2009

James Booker with Jerry Garcia - Palo Alto Rehersals (1976) (mp3, 160kbps)


This is a nice, clear sounding recording of two monstrous talents jamming together.  I don't know the story of these shows, other than that in 1976 James Booker got to Palo Alto to play a few gigs with Jerry Garcia and his band.  And while Jerry obviously has a lot of respect for Booker's other-worldly boogie woogie, there are moments of disconnect - like when, after playing the song 'Classified' for about 9 minutes during these rehearsals (during which the title of the song is repeated numerous times in the refrain) Garcia says, "What do you call that?"  Huh?  You're jamming with James Booker and you don't know that song?

But it should all be forgiven for the opportunity to hear these two, not only jamming, but also sharing ideas during this unique rehearsal tape.  Booker teaches as he plays, and Garcia is tastefully restrained until the right moment.  I have a decent recording of on of the live shows which followed this rehearsal, and I will post that sometime, but the practice is even more fun as they work out the arrangements and jam in a more relaxed atmosphere.

  1. Tico Tico (piano)
  2. Tico Tico (organ)
  3. Don't Try To Be Your Brother's Keeper
  4. Don't Try To Be Your Brother's Keeper
  5. Something You've Got
  6. Something You've Got
  7. Just A Closer Walk With Thee
  8. Irene Goodnight
  9. United, Our Thing Will Stand
  10. Classified
  11. Right Back Together (intro)
  12. Right Back Together

The link is in the comments.

1 comment:

MPomy said...

http://lix.in/-6013f8