It’s amazing what a difference a single word makes. Listen.

That’s what Garcia sings: Listen. Plaintive but almost a demand, as in: You must know this.



It’s around the 2:39 mark (above) as he finishes an early verse of My Sisters & Brothers and reminds the people gathered before him … Listen…

If we walk together little children

We don’t ever have to worry

Through this world of trouble

We gotta love one another…

I have heard many gorgeous versions of this soulful gospel tune performed by the Garcia Band during what I think was a peak for Jerry (January 76 to August 77, with John Kahn, Ron Tutt, Jerry, Keith & Donna). I have never heard him utter that urgent call in any other version.



It elevates an already powerful tune; maybe even more so in the way it stands in contrast to the audience - fired up and loud. One man and his heartfelt request. Right here, right now. All in. Emphatic:

I wanna say to my sisters and my brothers

Keep the faith…



My Sisters & Brothers, Jerry Garcia Band, 4/1/76, Palace Theatre, Waterbury, CT.

Listen. Wait for the single word at 2:40 in the video above.



All in.

