The solo-organ intro at the beginning of “Jack Straw” signals Grateful Shred’s intention to take some liberty with the Grateful Dead-associated songs it covers on Might as Well. 

They’re things both small – extra backgrounds on the coda of “To Lay Me Down,” for instance – and large, as the band delivers “Jack a Roe” in a funky, quasi-disco arrangement reminiscent of the Jerry Garcia Band’s “Mighty High.” But they are all well-thought-through and help to make Might as Well – which does not include the title track among its eight cuts – more of an homage than a collection of straight covers of songs ranging from the Pigpen-era blues of “Next Time You See Me,” replete with a harp solo, to the latter-day “Lazy River Road,” which sparkles in the Shred’s care. 

Featuring three-quarters of Circles Around the sun in Dan Horne (bass, pedal-steel guitar), keyboardist Adam MacDougall and guitarist John Lee Shannon; plus singer/guitarist Austin McCutchen and drummers Alex Koford and Austin Beede; GS’ secret sauce and newest addition is Mikaela Davis, who lends sweetening backgrounds to such numbers as “Cassidy” and Jimmy Cliff’s “Sitting in Limbo.” 

But Davis shines most brightly on her lead vocal spotlights on Keith & Donna’s “Sweet Baby,” its reggae-tinged presentation bringing the nearly forgotten song about Zion Godchaux back to life 50 years on, and the lilting country of “To Lay Me Down.” She is splendid in place of Donna Jean Godchaux and Jerry Garcia, respectively, and Davis’ presence adds a youthful sheen to songs that are, indeed, quite old. 

Which is to say Might as Well is a tribute LP well-worthy of its honoree and a smart update to timeless material.