GarciaLive Vol. 1: March 1st, 1980 - Capitol Theatre

I absolutely love this album. This is such an awesome live set; so much in fact that it ranks in with some of Garcia's finest, in my opinion. I read one of the original reviews for this album in the beginning of the review section here, and read someone's comment about the keyboards/synthesizer being over-balanced - causing it to overplay & power the rest of the music. I disagree with this comment. The keyboards in this session are fantastic. When the keyboards get the chance to be in the spotlight, its a great touch of electronica mixed with the classic sound of Garcia/the Dead. The solo's for all the instruments are played out near perfectly, and good ol' Jerry sounds excellent vocally. At times this album is extremely soothing (especially Russian Lullaby; my personal favorite) - great sound, great pitch, great everything. If you don't have this for your CD/MP3 collection, this is a must have. If you buy the album on Amazon, you have the option for an Auto-rip, so you get the MP3 version as an added bonus while only paying the price for the CD's (3 CD set!).

Of the 3 GarciaLive volumes out right now, this is the one I keep coming back to. Ozzie Ahlers is a beast and Jerry is in top form. The early show rushes out of the gates with a blistering Sugaree which I rate as one of Garcia's best (compare to 5/28/77, commercially released as To Terrapin: Hartford '77 and 10/17/1983). Everything about the early show is wild and perfect. The late show also does not disappoint with Robert Hunter singing. Another added dimension to this show is that the drummer Johnny de Foncesca Jr. was only ~20 years old at the time. His father, Johnny Sr. was Ron Rakow's (GD manager) wife's brother. Jr. grew up learning from Mickey Hart, and was given the chance of a lifetime to play with Garcia and Kahn. Unfortunately after a 5 month run with JGB, Johnny Jr. died in a car accident shortly after the performance of this show. Spine-chilling, just like the music played here. Pick it up.

Enjoy listening to this music.

I was impressed with this collection. I saw Jerry around this time, and this CD/download takes be back to that night. Great sound! This is a great reminder of just how good Jerry was. His playing is spellbinding on a great selection of songs with amazing vocals. I expact that fans will love this, but anyone into guitar bands ought to be thrilled. This is as good as it gets; no frills, a guy and a guitar and a great band. I have heard some gripes about the keyboard player and crowd noise, but it is always something. The search for perfection is a hard road. I look forward to many more recordings!

Over the years, more and more live recordings of Jerry Garcia keep on popping up, this is great, I don't know where all these historical recordings have been hibernating, but I am certainly glad that this catalog is being issued. This is a 3 CD set, but the best one is the first one; you can appreciate the improvising power of Jerry's guitar on it.Aside from Grateful Dead, almost since the beginning of the group, Jerry developed his Jerry Garcia Band JGB) with other excellent musicians. The remarkable thing is that none of the JGB records sounds as if it were the Dead, he accomplished an own style and blended masterfully rock, country and blues. This CD set indicates "Volume One", I can't wait that they continue to dig into the vaults and soon we may see Volume 2, 3 and so on?

Definitely satisfies a need for some jg. More synthesizer on a couple of tracks then ideal but does not diminish the show. Highly recommend

I personally recorded this on cassette when it first aired on WNEW. I would usually prefer a gem that I was not familiar with, but I love this show and wanted a pristine recording, and it does not disappoint. Keyboard is way different than merle or melvin, a little dated but fun and a good memory. I would recommend this to fans and newbies.Update 03/01/2013I still love the cd. The sound is more of a 4 than a 5. This might change my rating to 4.5 or 4 stars.

Jerry Garcia has been gone since 1995 but because of efforts like this, his music lives on for new generations to enjoy. His work with the Grateful Dead remains wondrous. Ask yourself -- is it bleugrass, jazz, blues, country? Can't anwer, can you? But this collection transcends his work with the Dead and features Dylan songs he loved so, some standards, some traditional stuff, all musically mastered exquisitely. Garcia is to American music what people like Woody Guthrie and Stephen Foster were in their generations.