Reconstruction

Reconstruction were formed in early 1979 by John Kahn. It's possible that initially the intention was not to include Jerry Garcia in the group. However by the time they started to perform in January 1979 Garcia was a group member and this limited the group to performing when the Grateful Dead were off the road. The group played just over 50 shows during 1979, all on the West Coast.

The group line-up was; Jerry Garcia (guitar, vocals), Merl Saunders (keyboards, vocals), John Kahn (bass), Ed Neumeister (trombone), Ron Stallings (tenor saxophone, vocals) and Gaylord Birch (drums). Other musicians may have sat in with the group toward the end of 1979.

One Reconstruction track is included on:

The Very Best Of Jerry Garcia, Jerry Garcia, 2006

Arrangements for two songs from the Reconstruction repertoire are included in:

Jerry Garcia Songbook, 2002

Reconstruction: songs played

The following songs are known to have been performed by Reconstruction.

Ain't That Lovin' You
Another Star
Dear Prudence
Do I Move You
Don't It Make It Better
Fast Tone
The Harder They Come
The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game
I Just Wanna Stop
I'll Take A Melody
It Ain't No Use (aka It's No Use)
The Jealous Kind
Let's Go Get Stoned
Linda Chicana
Long Train Runnin'
Lovely Night For Dancing
Lyinda (see Linda Chicana)
The Mohican And The Great Spirit
Nessa
Sama Layuca
Someday Baby
Soul Roach
Space
Struggling Man
Tellin' My Friends
That's What Love Will Make You Do
Welcome To The Basement
What You Won't Do For Love

A number of songs and instrumentals on circulating Reconstruction tapes have not been identified. It is likely that other songs were performed at Reconstruction shows for which there are no circulating tapes.