Die beiden kompletten Shows (eine nachmittags, eine abends) vom 28. Februar 1980 im Kean College in Union/New Jersey. Die Jerry Garcia Band bestand zu der Zeit neben dem Meister selbst nur aus Ozzie Ahlers (Keyboards, Vocals). John Kahn (Bass) und Johnny De Fonseca (Drums). Dead Texter Robert Hunter durfte seine beiden Kompositionen Promontory Rider und Tiger Rose singen. Des weiteren gibt es unter anderem den Garcia-Fave Mission In The Rain und das klassische Sugaree, sowie zwei Dylan-Songs (Knocking On Heavens Door und Simple Twist Of Fate), das Holland/Dozier/Holland Juwel How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You und das in Fankreisen geschätzte After Midnight/Eleanor Rigby Medley.
Komplett 2 Stunden und 45 Minuten lang wurde das Konzert damals auf 24 Spuren mitgeschnitten, später gemixt und von Joe Gastwirt gemastert. Folgerichtig kann man hier von exzellentem Sound sprechen.
Robert Hunter, der Linernotes und Fotos zum Booklet beisteuerte, erinnert sich an die Nacht: A lot of good Garcia solo-band songs hadn t been written yet. But there is an energy to Jerry s whole performance that shows him at his very peak.
(Glitterhouse)
Released in 2004, After Midnight: Kean College, 2/28/80 is a three-disc offering from a short-lived incarnation of the Jerry Garcia Band, featuring Garcia (guitar/vocals), John Kahn (bass), Ozzie Ahlers (keyboards/vocals), and Johnny De Foncesca (drums). The aggregate lasted less than six months, with De Foncesca replaced by former Sly & the Family Stone and Santana percussionist Greg Errico less than a month after this late February show. Opening up for Garcia on a majority of the East Coast run was his lyricist and primary collaborator, vocalist Robert Hunter. He joins the JGB during the second set for readings of his own "Tiger Rose" and "Promontory Rider," in addition to offering up his recollections of the experience in the package's liner essay. The quartet is exceptionally compact, with an ability to instantly expand and sidetrack into an impressive exchange of improvisations. This is evidenced by the exploratory jam linking "After Midnight" to an incendiary jazz-fused instrumental interpretation of "Eleanor Rigby" before returning for a reprise of the former. With the exception of the lamenting rocker "Sugaree" and the gorgeous Bay Area ballad "Mission in the Rain," the selections may appear short on originals. Hunter's notes point out that many of the "good Garcia solo-band songs hadn't been written yet," adding that on this evening the artist plays as many Bob Dylan tunes as he does from his own non-Grateful Dead repertoire. Speaking of which, "Simple Twist of Fate" and "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" are each given emotive interpretations, the latter adopting the nimble reggae-influenced gait reminiscent of Eric Clapton's reading. Those familiar with Hunter's interpretations of his own work will find that the versions of the aforementioned "Tiger Rose" and "Promontory Rider" by the JGB are a refreshing change of sonic scenery. While definitely a recommended spin for inclined parties, enthusiasts not familiar with this era or JGB lineup
are particularly encouraged to check out After Midnight: Kean College, 2/28/80.
(by Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide)