The Fais Do Do in Culver City is the type of brick building you would expect see the French Quarter down in New Orleans. A hole-in-the-wall club you would expect to see good music performed by lesser publicized artists. Tonight was no exception, for Wagatail Productions has brought in Melvin Seals and JGB.
JGB, otherwise known as the Jerry Garcia Band, refer to themselves as the “Keepers of the Flame” of the music of Jerry. Melvin was the keyboardist for Jerry Garcia, when Jerry toured solo. His gospel-styled playing brought that additional oomph to Jerry’s repertoire of Christian songs that became a mainstay of his performances. Although Melvin is the only original member of JGB, the rest of the band does a remarkable job in retaining the spirit of the music. In fact, Stu Allen, the guitarist and singer, has an uncanny resemblance to Jerry in the dimly lit club. And there were moments if you closed your eyes, you would swear it was Jerry singing.
The night was kind of a reunion, where old Heads and younger ones congregated to get our gospel and revive the soul. The generational cross-section of the audience shows the staying power of the music and the words. When the music started, the dancing began and didn’t stop till it ended. This always impressed upon me at a Jerry or Dead show. However, this has become commonplace with the explosion of the jam band scene.
Melvin is a performer whose generosity matches his presence and always wearing a smile. That energy is translated through his fingers as they gracefully slide up and down the keys. When he goes off on his little solo jaunts all you could do is smile as a wave of nostalgia overcame you. The songs that really stood that night for me were “After Midnight”, “My Sisters and My Brothers”, and my favorite “Tore Up.”
Being an old-school Head it can be difficult to re-live that which once was. But enough time has passed, that it brings back good memories. Kind of comfort food for the soul. But seeing JGB tonight allowed to leave be that which “was”, allowing what “is” to be.
Remember..”If you’re not a Head, you’re behind.”
