I first heard My Sisters and Brothers on the self-titled Jerry Garcia Band live album and it’s been a favorite ever since.

That album was recorded during a couple of Bay Area runs by the JGB, and although this show wasn’t part of that, they are of the same vintage so it’s little surprise that I find this rendition equally enjoyable.

In general I’m a big fan of when Jerry or the Dead took on a gospel tune and made it into something different. I love what they did with We Bid You Goodnight

John Kahn’s bass says this is a bit of an oompah/funky song, but the swirling B3 reads as gospel. That’s the glorious thing about Jerry Garcia, the ability of his bands to meld these styles in a single song. The female backing singers contribute to the gospel vibe as well, and they’re spot on here. It makes you wonder why the Dead never tried out background singers like this (I mean Furthur’s done it to great effect…) This is one of those songs that is about the groove and not shredding. Garcia only takes a few measures to squeeze out the melody on guitar, but this comes back into the “make it to the promised land” vamp with it’s almost angelic tonality. One final, drawn out “promised land” brings the song to a fitting close.

Complete Setlist 8/5/90