Guitarists Keller Williams and John Kadlecik were certainly grateful for 2017, as the New Year brought the two musicians together for a Grateful Gospel performance at Ram’s Head Live in Baltimore, MD on December 31st. After an opening set from Kadlecik, the two Gratefully inspired musicians took the stage together, fronting a full nine piece band with four vocalists for the occasion.
The set started just after midnight, with “Auld Lang Syne” leading into a soaring “Eyes of the World” opener. What followed was a truly gospel-tinged New Year’s performance, as the band worked on selections in the Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia Band catalogs that could truly be enhanced by a powerful vocal section. With the strong voices of Faye Rochelle, Tanya Lucinda Jackson, Samantha Reed and Sugar Davis, tracks like “Saint Stephen,” “Franklin’s Tower,” “Brokedown Palace,” and more truly came to life.
Fortunately, thanks to a crisp taper recording from nico11104, we can listen to this beautiful New Year’s celebration below.
[Cover photo by ah_littlebear // Instagram]