In early 1973 Jerry Garcia found time for a new bluegrass project. Old & In The Way’s classic lineup included Garcia (banjo, vocals), David Grisman (mandolin, vocals), Vassar Clements (fiddle), Peter Rowan (vocals, acoustic guitar) and John Kahn (bass). The group performed nearly 50 shows (with Richard Greene and then John Hartford on fiddle for the initial dates).

Garcia Provisions has announced plans to release the group’s 11/4/73 performance at Sonoma State College in Rohnert Park, CA. In addition to the core quintet, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot guests on vocals and guitar during “Tramp on the Street” and “Waiting for a Train.” Live at Sonoma State – 11/4/73 initially came out on streaming to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the show, on November 4, 2023. It subsequently was released for Record Store Day on November 28, 2025. This will be the first time it comes out on CD, and a honeydew cream vinyl option is available as well.

In his review of the original release, Relix’s Jeff Tamarkin raved, “it may be the most stunning, uplifting performance ever given by this short-lived all-star bluegrass quintet.” 

Tamarkin added, “Old & In the Way straddled a fine line between traditionalism and “newgrass” experimentation, its repertoire drawing from the standard bluegrass canon (“Pig in a Pen,” “Orange Blossom Special”), choice covers (Jimmie Rodgers’ “Waiting for a Train”) and original songs by the group members, mostly Rowan (“Panama Red,” “Midnight Moonlight”). The set kicks in with a speedy “Goin’ to the Races,” written by Carter Stanley of The Stanley Brothers, and makes its way through ballads featuring pristine vocal harmonies (“White Dove”), flashy breakneck instrumentals (“Old & in the Way Breakdown”) and stunners that defy category. (The group’s take on Jagger/ Richards’ “Wild Horses” puts the song in a different light than either the Stones or the Flying Burrito Brothers brought to it, a performance that still astounds today.) It’s safe to presume that most of the audiences that came to see this group were there for Garcia; it’s also a good guess that they left as fans of bluegrass music in general.”

Live at Sonoma State – 11/4/73 is now available for pre-order.

Track List

Side A
1.) Goin’ To The Races
2.) Catfish John
3.) Eating Out Of Your Hand
4.) Lonesome Fiddle Blues
5.) Land Of The Navajo

Side B
1.) Old & In The Way Breakdown
2.) Panama Red
3.) Pig In A Pen
4.) Fanny Hill
5.) The Hobo Song

Side C
1.) Wild Horses
2.) White Dove
3.) Drifting Too Far From The Shore
4.) Uncle Pen
5.) That High Lonesome Sound

Side D
1.) Tramp On The Street
2.) Waiting For A Train
3.) Midnight Moonlight
4.) Orange Blossom Special