DSO

[JRL]

Any one seen these guys? We are thinking about catching them at what used to be the Avalon, back to the scene of the crime as it were.

[laughingwillow]

I refuse to see them and Phil is on record as saying he doesn't understand their appeal due to the nature of their schtick. (Reproducing specific dead shows note for note.)

Many of my friends like these guys. They play Des Moines a ton. HOwever I like improvisational music and what they do is anything but, imo.

lw

[JRL]

But Phil uses em like a farm team no? Isn't that were he got Barraco and one of his guitar players?
Mozart was an improviser, but we still play his shows.

[laughingwillow]

Phil's guitar player was with DSO? First I've heard of that.

Still don't care to see them.

I don't go to the symphony or really appreciate the music for the same reason.

lw

[JRL]

Jeff Mattson from DSO played shows as a friend.
Me I do love improvisation, but I also subscribe to Duke Ellington's statement that it doesn't matter if it's written or "faked"
as long as it SWINGS.

[JRL]

BTW Phil is a symphony fan, even conducted some Mahler.

But too each his own, I will report back.

[JRL]

Dark Star Orchestra – Ithaca 30 Years Later


This DVD captures Dark Star Orchestra recreating one of the most well known shows in The Grateful Dead's long history. Although known for their faithful replication of The Grateful Dead's sound, this is by no means a by-the-numbers copy of the original show. "We like to take the set list and use it as a frame over which we lay our own patchwork of improvisation," says DSO guitarist Rob Eaton. The Grateful Dead Songs are there, the Grateful Dead sound is there, but the rest is distinctively DSO. Videotaped live as it happened by a multi-camera crew, this video is a must-see for fans of The Grateful Dead and Dark Star Orchestra.

Didn't think they note for noted it, that would be to hard for anyone.

[laughingwillow]

Never saw or heard of Jeff Mattsen.

I'll try to find the Phil quote in question.

lw

[laughingwillow]

Here's a quote from Billy...

JamBase: What's it like playing a festival with Dark Star Orchestra, a band that's put so much effort into recreating the music of the Grateful Dead?

Kreutzmann: Well, do you want my honest opinion or a good opinion?

JamBase: Feel free to give both but I'd dig the honest opinion.

Kreutzmann: Well, I'll give you the honest opinion. It always works the best. I think if you're going to spend that much time on music you should work on your own music

www.jambase.com/Articles/18944/Bill-Kre ... ng-Forward

[laughingwillow]

Btw, it looks like Barraco went to DSO after Phil broke up the quintet.

ps: I've never read a bad review on DSO. And in time, this will be the only way to get a Dead fix. I feel lucky to be born in a time that allowed me to experience the dead in person more times than I can count and to experience the post-Jerry efforts of the rest of the boyz in the band. And Phil has carried us far on his back - is still carrying us. For this I'm eternally grateful.

Let us know what you think of the show. I'm really interested in your take on this one.

lw

[JRL]

Ok then, with some trepidation we entered the incredible Regency Theater, in the same building but around the corner from the storied Avalon Ballroom. First issue: they wouldn't let us in the balcony, not anyone, and they were pretty much the only seats. Being of a senior persuasion, we really wanted to sit, so we found the handicap section and grabbed a couple of chairs in the back corner. The lavish ballroom was hung with light bars and the stage looked just like a smallish version of the Dead's set up.

The hall starts to Phil up, with hippies young and old, then two smoke machines start pouring out. The band hits the stage and whips into Touch of Gray.  

One:    Touch Of Grey > Little Red Rooster ; Peggy-O ; Me And My Uncle > Mexicali Blues ; When Push Comes To Shove ; It's All Over Now ; Row Jimmy > Let It Grow  was the first set, I was lukewarm till Let It Grow, when they started jamming in earnest, at that point they had me. I mean you can't play like that unless you can play like that, it can't be faked. Technically and production value wise, it was slicker, tighter, better looking and sounding than your average 1987 show. And to have the party in a ball room rather than a stadium gave it some altitude. The lights were nothing short of amazing. The smoke filled room become a 3d medium for some real artful photonic jamming.


Two:    Hell In A Bucket ; Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain ; Samson And Delilah ; Black Muddy River ; He's Gone > Drums > Space > The Other One > Black Peter > Around And Around > Good Lovin'
Encore    Don't Ease Me In
Filler Brothers & Sisters

Second set they came out with a vengeance, just tearing up Bucket, begonias and fire on the Mountain. They did a death trilogy of Black Muddy River, He's Gone, and Black Peter, sandwiched with drums, space and The Other One. Pretty much took us all to to church, much hugging, many tears. Then rocked us home with Around and Around and Good Lovin.

Still felt a little weird about them pretending, but they truly deliver the experience. It was cool for TJ and i to do that together, cause we only went to one show together before Mr. Garcia left us here. I have always felt that the music is way bigger than the people playing it.

Bottom line, we had a good enough time to go back the next night , sacramentally enhanced. They came out and tore jack straw a new asshole, so i figured it was gonna be another great night.
One: Jack Straw ; Althea ; C C Rider ; Bird Song ; Beat It On Down The Line (1) ; Ramble On Rose ; Feel Like A Stranger

To me this set didn't really get the place off the ground, didn't have the emotional kick. I think the crowd might not have been as receptive as the night before, night didn't seem as high.
Two:    China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider > Man Smart (Woman Smarter) ; Ship Of Fools ; Estimated Prophet > Eyes Of The World > Drums > Space > Truckin' ; Morning Dew
Encore    Johnny B. Goode

Second set, we perked up a bit when Stu Allen started the funk in G7 that became China Cat, when they hit Rider the room exploded.
Set was better but didn't have the spiritual impact of night one.

I will prolly write more after i chew on it  bit more. I mean they have it down, really good players. Way, way , way, better singing than the Dead at their best, did a lot of vocal gospelly stuff. They really understand the show biz aspect that the Dead had a bit of, these guys have lots. They know all the times to drop bombs and slam the lights. Felt a bit manipulative, but that is something Mr. Garcia and friends were doing too. And they had something that the Dead didn't have: they are young and healthy, but with later day gear and skills. Like i said, you can't play like that unless you can play like that, And these fellas can play.

Still feels a bit dishonest, more after I ponder.

[laughingwillow]

Interesting. Thanks for the write up. I'm really glad to get your take on these guys.

lw

[JRL]

What it did was whet the our appetites for the real deal. Is Phil gonna tour out west this summer?

[laughingwillow]

The only thing I see is the further festival at the calaveras county fair grounds in Angles Camp on May 28-30.

I'm pretty sure the last time they let the the dead play there was in 1987.  I seem to remember a head dying on a motor scooter while being chased by the cops or something.  Anyway it was a really freaky crowd. Maybe the strangest I've experienced at dead shows......

lw

[JRL]

The HA and other bikers have pretty much adopted that venue. I played there last summer for the Frog Jump.

So, you like MoonAlice much?