Mayer has figured out intuitively that the best way to serve Jerry Garcia’s legacy is to serve the songs and the sound. What seems like an odd fit on paper could not have been more organic.

Last night’s second of two shows came from-and gave back to-all of the intensity and magic that defines the Grateful Dead experience when it’s clicking. But Mayer, along with three of the core four: guitarist/vocalist Bob Weir, drummers Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart, as well as jam band fixtures Jeff Chimenti on keys and Oteil Burbridge on bass, obliterated any and all doubts at Madison Square Garden this past weekend. Fans wondered where the music was going, and why it was still going at all. The addition of the pop-centric Mayer to the newly formed Dead & Company was even more perplexing. Many in the jam band universe were confused, even angry when the surviving members of the Grateful Dead decided to continue their musical journey before the ink was even dry on the “Fare Thee Well” contracts from Chicago this past summer.

John Mayer heard the calling, and rang the bell loud and clear. Dead & Company blew minds and expectations at MSG image: katie friesema

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