Cats Under the Stars

The concert performed by Jerry Garcia Band at Merriweather Post Pavilion in September 1989 may be one of their greatest live performances of all time. A seamless blend of rock, reggae, R&B and gospel, the show spanned two days and included songs like Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia’s “Cats Under the Stars.” These are the moments, and the songs, that inspire us at McMenamins – and they inspired much of the Cove at Kalama Harbor Lodge.
 
From artist Eona Skelton:
This song is a love letter to Deadheads and the music and living life the best you can in the moment. Like a lot of Jerry Garcia’s songs, there are many lyric versions; whether you are going downtown or to Alleycat Street, or your guitar sounds like a clarinet or a clavinet… “everybody wants something they might not get.” It’s about life, man. And doing what you do best to make the world better in the short sweet time you have.

My first panel is Kalama as New Orleans, with Jerry sparking the tune and all the cats taking a walk downtown. The singers are Jacklyn LaBranch and Gloria Jones from the Jerry Garcia Band. In the second panel, everyone has arrived at the show to dance and celebrate: Robert Hunter in the sky, Melvin Seals on keyboards, John Kahn on bass, and David Kemper on drums.

Cats Under the Stars

Lyrics by Robert Hunter, music by Jerry Garcia
Lyrics as performed by Jerry Garcia Band live at Merriweather Post Pavilion, Sept. 1989: 
 
Cats down under the stars  
Cats down under the stars  
 
Cats on the blacktop, birdie in the treetop 
Someone plays guitar that sounds like a clarinet 
I ain't ready to go to bed 
I think I'll take a walk downtown instead 
 
Cats down under the stars  
Cats down under the stars  
Cats on the bandstand, give 'em each a big hand 
Anyone who sweats like that must be all right 
No one wants to fight, no blackeye 
Just another cat beneath the stars tonight 
 
Cats down under the stars  
Cats down under the stars 
 
Cats in the limelight, feels like it's alright 
Everybody wants something they might not get 
I ain't ready yet, it ain't complete 
That's why I am headin' down to Alleycat Street 
 
Cats down under the stars  
Cats down under the stars 
 
Satin blouse unbuttoning 
Satin blouse unbuttoning 
Time is a stripper, doin' it just for you 
Time is a stripper, doin' it just for you 
 
Hammering the brass tacks, cover up your tracks, Jack 
You ain't nowhere till you can pay your own way back 
What else do you lack to make it right 
 
Cats down under the stars 
Cats down under the stars