1973-07-19 [Thu]

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Jerry's first of 29 performances at Great American Music Hall

Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA

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Jerry Garcia and Merl Saunders
Merl Saunders - keyboards
Jerry Garcia - electric guitar, vocals
John Kahn - electric bass
Bill Vitt - drums
Guest Musicians
Martin Fierro (partial show) - saxophone
Matthew Kelly (partial show) - harmonica
Sarah Fulcher (partial show) - vocals

Set 1:
After Midnight , Finders Keepers , One Kind Favor , My Funny Valentine , That's Alright Mama

Set 2:
I Second That Emotion [1] , Someday Baby [1][2] , Harder They Come [1] , Georgia On My Mind [1][3] , Positively 4th Street [1] > How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) [1][2][3]

[1] With Martin Fierro on saxophone
[2] With Matthew Kelly on harmonica
[3] With Sarah Fulcher on vocals
Also Appearing
Paul Pena
Audio
Images
Notes
  • Garcia's first gig at the beloved Music Hall. Martin is present throughout the 2nd set, while efore GOMM Garcia calls Sarah up over the PA to come and do a tune.
  • mentions: San Francisco Examiner, July 13, 1973, p. 32 | "Bay Sounds," Oakland Tribune, July 18, 1973, p. 25: "Merl Saunders and Jerry Garcia will make a special appearance". It appears to have been special because, as the poster makes clear, it was to celebrate / promote the release of Fire Up. "The band invites you to Fire Up a big one and listen to Fire Up on Fantasy Records." Funny that the rest of the advertising didn't manage to mention this (though, need to double-check).
  • listings: San Francisco Sunday Examiner and Chronicle Datebook, July 15, 1973, p. 4 | San Francisco Chronicle, July 18, 1973, p. 52 | Palo Alto Times, July 18, 1973, p. 24 | "Happenings," San Francisco Examiner, July 19, 1973, p. 28
  • ads: San Francisco Sunday Examiner and Chronicle Datebook, July 15, 1973, p. 29; San Francisco Examiner, July 18, 1973, p. 65; San Francisco Examiner, July 19, 1973, p. 27
  • review: [positive] Heitman 1973, under the headline "Merle [sic] & Jerry soar at Music Hall - so does audience". Here's her lead: "The good-time, low-down, high-energy sounds of Merl Saunders, Jerry Garcia and their group took off and soared under the high, gilded, electric-chandeliered ceiling of the Great American Music Hall one night called July 19."
  • review: [positive] Elwood 1973: Nearly 600 packed the GAMH. "Last night's Garcia-Saunders performance confirmed my contention that jazz, blues and rock can blend nicely, thank you, and be not only entertaining but also educational. Because what [the players] are proving (quite unconsciously and unaffectedly) is that compatible musicians working freely create fascinating sounds --sounds from the soul, extemporaneous and intriguing-- and that's what the best of jazz, blues, rock, folk or any other vernacular music is all about." PE gives huge props to Merl and especially John Kahn. "Without question the best local bassist in his field, Kahn makes even the electric bass sing, sustaining his notes and playing unbelievably imaginative (and complex) solos".
  • JGMF: JGMS: July 19, 1973, Great American Music Hall
    • Sources
    Weather
    High: 65.9 °F
    Low: 57.8 °F
    Feels Like High: 65.9 °F
    Feels Like Low: 57.8 °F
    Wind Speed: 16.1 mph
    Humidity: 75.4 %
    Moonphase: 0.65
    Partly cloudy throughout the day.
    Time
    9:00 PM
    Ticket Price
    $3.00
    Sellout
    Yes
    In Attendance
    600