Going onstage after Mountain and before the Allman Brothers was certainly no easy task, but this set finds the J. Geils Band more than capable of rising to the occasion. According to Graham's autobiography, this group was among his favorites ever presented at the Fillmore East, and this set captures them performing with a ferocity few bands could match.
The high energy level is palpable from the opening "New York City Breakdown," and remains hot and volatile through the entire set. After continuing with their original…entire summary
Peter Wolf - vocals
Seth Justman - keyboards
Magic Dick - harmonica
J. Geils - guitar
Danny Klein - bass
Stephen Jo Bladd - drums, vocals
Going onstage after Mountain and before the Allman Brothers was certainly no easy task, but this set finds the J. Geils Band more than capable of rising to the occasion. According to Graham's autobiography, this group was among his favorites ever presented at the Fillmore East, and this set captures them performing with a ferocity few bands could match.
The high energy level is palpable from the opening "New York City Breakdown," and remains hot and volatile through the entire set. After continuing with their original number, "Wait," the band tears up Smokey Robinson's "First I Look at the Purse," before turning harpist extraordinaire Magic Dick loose on "Whammer Jammer."
By this point, the band had the audience in the palm of their hand, and they don't let up for a second. The next three numbers continue at a furious pace, building and building before they slow, stop, then finally fade into a smoldering rendition of John Lee Hooker's "Serves You Right To Suffer." The set closes with another incendiary original, "Hard Driving Man."
Following a thank you to the Fillmore East staff and Bill Graham, they humor the audience with a purposely lame attempt at "People," before bringing it back to the previous frenetic level with Juke Joint Jimmy's "It Aint What You Do," followed by a short, final jam.
This set is incredible for its energy and sheer expressiveness; only folks acquainted with later eras of the group will be surprised by the intensity level of this particular set. A must listen, regardless, for any appreciative ear.
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