After Midnight: Kean College, 2/28/80

• Artist: Jerry Garcia Band
• Rating:
• Release Date: September 28, 2004
• Type: Live
• Genre: Rock

Review

Released in 2004, After Midnight: Kean College, 2/28/80 is a three-disc offering from a short-lived incarnation of the Jerry Garcia Band, featuring Garcia (guitar/vocals), John Kahn (bass), Ozzie Ahlers (keyboards/vocals), and Johnny De Foncesca (drums). The aggregate lasted less than six months, with De Foncesca replaced by former Sly & the Family Stone and Santana percussionist Greg Errico less than a month after this late February show. Opening up for Garcia on a majority of the East Coast run was his lyricist and primary collaborator, vocalist Robert Hunter. He joins the JGB during the second set for readings of his own "Tiger Rose" and "Promontory Rider," in addition to offering up his recollections of the experience in the package's liner essay. The quartet is exceptionally compact, with an ability to instantly expand and sidetrack into an impressive exchange of improvisations. This is evidenced by the exploratory jam linking "After Midnight" to an incendiary jazz-fused instrumental interpretation of "Eleanor Rigby" before returning for a reprise of the former. With the exception of the lamenting rocker "Sugaree" and the gorgeous Bay Area ballad "Mission in the Rain," the selections may appear short on originals. Hunter's notes point out that many of the "good Garcia solo-band songs hadn't been written yet," adding that on this evening the artist plays as many Bob Dylan tunes as he does from his own non-Grateful Dead repertoire. Speaking of which, "Simple Twist of Fate" and "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" are each given emotive interpretations, the latter adopting the nimble reggae-influenced gait reminiscent of Eric Clapton's reading. Those familiar with Hunter's interpretations of his own work will find that the versions of the aforementioned "Tiger Rose" and "Promontory Rider" by the JGB are a refreshing change of sonic scenery. While definitely a recommended spin for inclined parties, enthusiasts not familiar with this era or JGB lineup are particularly encouraged to check out After Midnight: Kean College, 2/28/80. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide

Tracks

CD 1

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Sugaree [#]	Jerry Garcia, Robert Hunter	Jerry Garcia Band	(14:50)
Catfish John [#]	Bob McDill, Allen Reynolds	Jerry Garcia Band	(11:21)
That's What Love Will Make You Do [#]	James Banks, Eddie Marion, Henderson Thigpen	Jerry Garcia Band	(10:04)
Simple Twist of Fate [#]	Bob Dylan	Jerry Garcia Band	(17:27)

CD 2

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
How Sweet It Is to Be Loved by You [#]	Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland, Brian Holland	Jerry Garcia Band	(10:23)
After Midnight [#]	J.J. Cale	Jerry Garcia Band	(13:13)
Eleanor Rigby [#]	John Lennon, Paul McCartney	Jerry Garcia Band	(3:20)
After Midnight (Reprise) [#]	J.J. Cale	Jerry Garcia Band	(6:33)

CD 3

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
I'll Take a Melody [#]	Allen Toussaint	Jerry Garcia Band	(14:01)
Tore Up Over You [#]	Hank Ballard	Jerry Garcia Band	(10:25)
Knockin' On Heaven's Door [#]	Bob Dylan	Jerry Garcia Band	(13:57)
The Harder They Come [#]	Jimmy Cliff	Jerry Garcia Band	(12:42)
Tiger Rose [#]	Robert Hunter	Robert Hunter, Jerry Garcia Band	(3:42)
Promontory Rider [#]	Robert Hunter	Robert Hunter, Jerry Garcia Band	(4:31)
Mission in the Rain [#]	Jerry Garcia, Robert Hunter	Jerry Garcia Band	(11:28)
Midnight Moonlight [#]	Peter Rowan	Jerry Garcia Band	(7:06)

Credits

Jerry Garcia (Guitar), Jerry Garcia (Vocals), Jerry Garcia (Original Recording Producer), Jerry Garcia (Group Member), Robert Hunter (Liner Notes), Jeff Adams (Coordination), Ozzie Ahlers (Keyboards), Ozzie Ahlers (Vocals), Ozzie Ahlers (Group Member), James Austin (A&R), Hugh Brown (Art Direction), Hugh Brown (Design), Tom Flye (Mixing), Joe Gastwirt (Mastering), John Kahn (Bass), John Kahn (Group Member), Steven Chean (Editorial Supervision), Katherine Delaney (Art Direction), Katherine Delaney (Design), Jay Blakesberg (Photography), Reggie Collins (Project Assistant), Randy Perry (Project Assistant), Leigh Hall (Project Assistant), David Lemieux (Tape Research), Christopher Sabec (Producer), Peter Mcquaid (Producer), Hale Milgrim (Producer), Matthew Abels (Project Assistant), Johnny DeFoncesca (Drums), Johnny DeFoncesca (Group Member), Robert Gatley (Engineer), Jimmy Edwards (A&R)