5.27.1989
Oakland Coliseum
John Fogerty, Jerry Garcia, Bobby Weir, Randy Jackson, Steve Jordan,
& Clarence Clemons
AIDS Benefit Concert
Prior to the Dead performance on 5.27.1989 the aforementioned
musicians got together to perform a bunch of CCR tunes. This show is
pretty interesting in that a lot of great tunes are performed. The
versions are not dramatic by any means, and for all practical
purposes, my life is no better or worse for hearing this.
For the most part Jerry’s performance is barely
noticed or heard. He has no audible solos or even audible rhythm
during the Bayou, Green River, and Down On The Corner. Weir also is
barely noticeable except for the occasional guitar rhythm yelp.
During Rock ’n Roll Girls Jerry takes a lead but it sounds very
uncertain. During Centerfield Jerry plays more rhythm but it too
sounds uncertain. During the main jam on Proud Mary Jerry sounds as
if he might have taken a stab at a jam, but Fogerty returned to the
song. Weir may have sung harmony during Midnight Special, and Jerry
couldn’t really be heard guitar wise. Bad Moon Rising is rapidly
paced but again Jerry is nowhere to be heard. During Fortunate Son
Jerry can be heard during the in-between verse transition, and as the
during the vocal finale he opened up a jam that quickly ends do to
the ending of the song. Next was the encore. Clarence Clemons sat in
for Susie Q. Nothing special with this tune either. Clemons steps up
much more so than Jerry in that he actually leads the band with a
solo. Again no solo for Jerry on this tune. The set ends with Long
Tall Sally. Jerry’s rhythm is more pronounced on this tune but
still not influential in the least.
All in all Jerry and Bobby’s performance with
Fogerty was difficult to assess because they didn’t add very much
to each song.
Rob
Goetz ©
