Melvin Seals JGB

I was at Melvin/JGB Mystic Petaluma show, and also at the JGB Sweetwater show a few weeks prior.

Strong shows, mostly impressive because of the the sheer force of Melvin, as well as excellent playing from all band members.

The Mystic Theatre show:

Crowded, smoky, with a rowdy crowd! In set one, both Melvin and John seemed pretty amused at the volume of cheering and general craziness. Heavy, heavy weed smoking all along the rail, and band volume was LOUD on the floor.

The opening instrumental jam seemed spontaneous, what was it? Really launched. Another highlight was Melvin's multiple crescendos in Let's Spend the Night Together.

I never saw DSO, but there is no doubt that Kadlecik is a great player. He really brings it in JGB and GGW (will they play again?). Powerful, skilled guitarist, with vocals that have improved since Furthur.

Second set Melvin seemed less animated, while the drummer was outstanding. The Eyes of the World was unusual, looked like it was a bass player's choice (he counted it out and showed his preferred groove to JK just prior). Set also had a nice reading of Dylan's Senor.

Subjectively, the show didn't seem too short, especially since the one-set show played at Sweetwater. I wasn't very conscious of the time, ha.

The evening felt like a few other events i've been to, as Covid trails off -- everyone is ready to party. Looking forward to more shows as the weather turns warmer.

Saw them the night before in Tahoe, I think the first show of the tour, and surprisingly they opted not to take the backup singers along.  Got to see Melvin do some competent backup vocals, the most I've ever seen him sing, so that was interesting, even if I would have preferred the actual backup singers...

It was also a very crowded show and the crowd was pretty wild as well.  Lots of pent up energy. A good time had by all, with some really great work on Don't Let Go, Simple Twist of Fate... Stop that Train is a favorite of mine. No Dead covers, but a blistering 'Deal' and even some Jerry/Merl tunes in there, probably more than usual due to the lack of the singing ladies.  I was surprised that the show started right on time and ended just as abruptly, not too short but no encore, which would have been great.  The crowd definitely called for one.

Anyway, I'll agree that this band, especially JK and Melvin, but really the whole outfit, are worth the $30 or whatever.  Being able to play across the whole JGB catalog gives them a lot of variety that the real thing never had because, well, they weren't a cover band...  Melvin has learned to play lots of stuff he didn't play on originally, and that's great. He's looking and sounding great. I've seen this band a gazillion times over the years and they are doing as good a show as they ever have.  GTTS!

Personally, the past couple of times I've seen them I have missed the singers more than I would have thought. Just as I thought they were a great addition when Jerry added them in his actual band, I think the gospel-ly backup singing really added a depth & warmth to the sound that's lacking without them.

I can understand why Melvin has dropped them, two less mouths to feed, but it is a bit of a shame.

And I like JK in the band, but to my ear he's always been better when he's playing with other musicians who are skilled conversational improvisors. To me the JGB has always been more of a rockin' band that jams a bit, not so much an open improv group. For me, JK's best strength is in that realm of group improvisation, which is why I've always thought he's been at his best when playing with Phil, who may be the greatest improv idea man who's ever lived.

Anyway, thanks for the review. It's good to know Melvin is still out there, as that is always fun music to hear live. Considering that the Jerry Garcia Band was always a bit of a cover band, Melvin's JGB has never seemed to be too much a "cover band" of Jerry's group, but more a band that just plays all those great songs in that style.

Long Live the JGB!

currently has Ron Holloway on sax, adds a nice vibe to the proceedings....

i think this lineup is great, although I'd rather hear more JGB and less GD with this band but the crowd sure seems to like the GD stuff they throw in...

got Melvin to sign my hat....

Aw, tofuhead.

Miss that guy.

And at this point I think it's great and kind of amazing that Melvin is still rockin' the music.

I hope he carries on for a long time to come.

Sat in on sound check too, was even more fun to listen to the banter from Melvin than the songs...

Tofuhead  I miss him too.

Last couple times I saw them it was almost all GD covers. I miss the Garcia Band stuff. And the singers.

Yes I agree in that I'd much prefer some deeper JGB cuts than GD stuff to please crowds but they eat it up so whatever. I'll cheer for Gomorrah while the crowd hits the beer line after Cassidy 

Tofu sez GTTS...

even from the (better ) afterlife!

His reviews were always credible IMO  because not every show in his book was "epic"  He called it when there was a "mail-in"

VIVA Melvin

I also agree about the singers & GD stuff. There are plenty of GD cover bands already, and the singers add a soulfulness and depth to the sound, and I thought the same thing when it was Jerry's band.

I'm just guessing here, but I'd say both of those changes to Melvin's band are attributable to Kadlicek being in the band.

I would imagine that JK charges more than the flat-brim guy or A'Bear did (he's a bigger name in the scene, and he puts his life on the line every night!) so the ladies had to go, and it would make sense that adding the GD songs are at Kadlicek's request as well.

The flat-brim guy was growing on me, I never cared for A'Bear, but I still think Stu was the best lead in Melvin's band. It would be cool to see him take that job back.

I agree with Lance's take on things. Plus Melvin also knows the value of a GD song or two -- if it brings the paying fans in the door, it's good.

God bless Mr, & Mrs. Tofu Head,