Music

"The Harder They Come" - Jerry Garcia and Merl Saunders on August 11, 1974 (Jimmy Cliff Cover) [YouTube Audio Single]

Francesco Marano

by Francesco Marano

Published June 21, 2017

On July 28, 2017, a new Garcia Live archival album will be released.

Titled GarciaLive, Volume Nine, August 11, 1974, the album will feature Jerry Garcia and keyboardist Merl Saunders with bassist John Kahn, saxophonist Martin Fierro, and Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann performing at the Keystone in Berkeley, California. Above, you can listen to a lengthy "The Harder They Come," which will be included on the 2-CD set.

The song was a Jerry Garcia favorite, and on this version the band stretch out the tune to 19 minutes with skillful ease as Kahn's bass and Kreutzmann's drums supply a strong foundation for Garcia's guitar explorations. Saunder's warm organ playing and Fierro's jazzy sax playing add a funky and breezy vibe, as each musician gets ample opportunity to express themselves.

"The Harder They Come" was originally written and recorded by Jimmy Cliff, and a major part of the soundtrack for the classic 1972 Jamaican film of the same name that helped Cliff achieve legendary status as a reggae musician and songwriter.

Head to Jerry Garcia’s official store to purchase the complete set.

For more, check out the Jerry Garcia Zumic artist page.

Jerry Garcia and Merl Saunders GarciaLive, Volume Nine, August 11, 1974 album cover art
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2387
artists
Bill Kreutzmann Grateful Dead Jerry Garcia Jimmy Cliff
genres
Americana Bluegrass Blues Blues Rock Classic Country Classic Rock Folk Folk Rock Free Jazz Funk Fusion Jazz Jamband Jazz Pop Rock Psychedelic Rock Reggae
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