Jerry Garcia Band’s Only New Year’s Eve Gig Released

Even though it would seem impossible, this year you can celebrate on New Year’s Eve with the Jerry Garcia Band.

Sort of.

At the very least, you can play a recording of the only New Year’s Eve show the band played. The 1975 performance is captured on GarciaLive Volume Five: December 31st 1975 Keystone Berkeley.

The recording, featuring the late John Kahn, who played bass with the band from its inception past Garcia’s 1995 death until his own 1996 passing, has been released as part of the GarciaLive archival series. Two members of the Grateful Dead — guitarist Bob Weir and drummer Mickey Hart — also performed with the band for this performance.

Some show highlights include a cover of The Beatles’ “Mother Nature’s Son,” the Motown classic “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You),” “C.C. Rider,” an original, “Pig’s Boogie,” and plenty of musical nods to the occasion.

GarciaLive Volume Five is available as a two-CD set or as a digital download (iTunes and Amazon MP3).

GarciaLive Volume Five: December 31st 1975 Keystone Berkeley Track List:

Set One (Disc One):

1. Let It Rock
2. Mother Nature’s Son
3. It Ain’t No Use
4. God Save the Queen
5. They Love Each Other
6. Pig’s Boogie

Set Two (Disc Two):

7. New Year’s Countdown
8. How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
9. Catfish John
10. Mystery Train →
11. Drums → New Year’s Jam
12. Mystery Train

Set Three (Disc Two):

13. Tore Up Over You
14. Turning
15. C.C. Rider
16. (I’m a) Road Runner