There’s no doubt it’s one of those fabled hot shows when thefinal song of the night exerts as much if not more crackling energy than thefirst and, with this thoroughly lively performance, that is sayingsomething. The 11th in theGarciaLive series, it’s no accident that this 11/11/93 ripper from Providencewas chosen to be next, beyond the numeric synchronicity. In fact, it’s a wonder it wasn’t releasedsooner, given all of its strengths.
First and foremost is Jerry Garcia’s inspired voice andguitar work that proves once again why he was so beloved. The setlist is full of familiar trails-cookers, covers, and ballads-, with a few surprises, but it’s almost beside thepoint; it’s the vivid articulation, the verve, from Garcia and company deployedon every song that makes this one another must-have from this ongoing series.
The two-disc collection is recorded quite well, balancingsonically and with strong fidelity each stellar contribution from the always-steadyensemble; whether Melvin Seal’s dexterity on “That’s What Love Will Make YouDo,” John Kahn’s storytelling bass on “Simple Twist of Fate,” or David Kemper’sintuitive double-time push on “Dear Prudence” as Garcia ripples through thechanges. Yet, if the reasoning foracquisition of this gem needs to be reduced to one word, it’s Garcia. Jerry is masterful, measuring blitz withbliss as he travels, often driving solos past the exit signs that appear withresolving chords, instead ‘feeling it’ and heading further on down the road.
This final JGB performance in Rhode Island’s capital- always a Northeast stronghold for the Dead- is closed with a bluegrass staple, “Midnight Moonlight.” It’s jaunty, old-time fun contrasting the exploratory, improvisation-infested “Don’t Let Go,” that precedes it, beautifully showing off two of the many shades of Garcia. It’s also a bit bittersweet, recalling a much younger man playing jug music in the hills of Appalachia, with the whole strange trip still ahead.
