Some of the greatest musical moments happen only once, in a live setting, and if you're not there to experience them at the time, they're lost to history.

But every now and then, a buried treasure is discovered that brings a lost moment back to life and thrills music fans.

Such is the case with this recently unearthed live recording of the all-star bluegrass band the Good Old Boys playing at Margarita's Cantina, a Santa Cruz club, in February of 1975.

Most Jerry Garcia fans know of his early interest in bluegrass music, which was an essential part of Garcia's development as an instrumentalist and songwriter, but many Garcia fans are unaware that in 1975, during a Grateful Dead's hiatus, Jerry produced a seminal album for another bluegrass group, the aforementioned Good Old Boys.

Featuring guitarist David Nelson (guitars/vocals) from the New Riders of the Purple Sage, Frank Wakefield (mandolin/vocals), Brantley Kearns (fiddle/vocals) and Pat Campbell (bass), the Good Old Boys made one album for Round Records; recorded up at Mickey Hart's Ranch.

Shortly after completing the Good Old Boys album, the group decided to do a series of live shows, but during that time period, two of the key players from the original studio lineup were unavailable to go on the road.

Luckily for us, the tape decks were recording back on February 20th and 21st in 1975, the nights when the Good Old Boys played for two nights at Margarita's Cantina.

CD 1:
1. 'Ashes of Love'
2. 'Deep Elem Blues'
3. 'Dim Lights, Thick Smoke'
4. 'Toy Heart'
5. 'Fireball Mail' (Jerry Garcia on banjo)
6. 'I'll Never Make You Blue'
7. 'All the Good Times' (Jerry Garcia vocals)
8. 'She's No Angel'
9. 'Here To Get My Baby Out Of Jail'
10. 'Wildwood Flower'
11. 'Teardrops In My Eyes'

CD 2:
1. 'Lonesome Road Blues'
2. 'Long Gone'
3. 'Leave Well Enough Alone'
4. 'White House Blues'
5. 'T For Texas'
6. 'Jesus Loves His Mandolin Player'
7. 'First Whippoorwill'
8. 'New Camptown Races'
9. 'Pistol Packing Mama'
10. 'Rawhide'
11. 'Jerusalem Moan'
12. 'Drink Up & Go Home' (Jerry Garcia lead vocals)
13. 'Orange Blossom Special' (Instrumental)

Listening to this incredible flashback to and era long since gone, in my book, its readily clear that all the performances are well received by an audience in full knowledge of who they were witnessing that night.

With outstanding singing, blistering mandolin and violin solos, and a crowd pleasing vibe that's apparent from the moment the band takes the stage for the opener 'Ashes of Love,' the entire 24 track album is a pure, unadulterated delight to behold again today.

Out now via Rock Bean Records/MVD Audio, Good Old Boys Live - Drink Up & Go Home has been fully restored from the original 2-track tapes that initially recorded the live show, so fans can finally hear this music in all its glory.

Official 2CD Purchase Link