My ears are still ringing…I"m sorry, but you’ll have to speak up.
For those of you who would like to hear what the Grateful Dead sounded like on their really good nights, I’d advise you to go see the Dark Star Orchestra if they come within range. I went to a show last night and they were phenomenal.
The concept behind the band is intrigung: They pick a particular show from the band’s career and then play it using the same arrangements and in the same song order. They also do original set lists on occasion (many of the most recent shows have been original set lists). Last night, for instance, they played a 1978-era show - complete with a cover of Donna Jean’s “From the Heart of Me,” (yeah, I know, some of you out there wouldn’t take this as a good sign - eat me.) Other highlights include an Estimated>Eyes that just cooked and an Around and 'Round that blew the doors open.
The sound is downright eerie. The guitarists have the Bob and Jerry’s playing down to a “T,” and the guy doing Jerry’s vocals sounds EXACTLY like him (except he actually hit the notes - sort of like Jerry on a very good night).
For a real good time, go see them if you get the chance. They bring a terrific energy and first rate chops to the work.
You can also check out the band’s website for further info.
I have seen once as they rolled thru Cleveburrgh. It seems like they come to town every couple months.
The thing about DSO is, to me, how they make you buy into their concept of being a cover band. I have seen other “tribute” bands where the singer really thinks he is Jim Morrison or Bono or whatever. I have always come away with very low level of respect for these kinds of clowns, and just can’t believe that someone would go thru life pretending to be someone else. Y’know, who is this guy, Gene Simmons or the mechanic at Midas??
But DSO, man, they are players. I guess what it is, is that the Dead had so little on-stage pretensions - except for Bobby’s occasional (and usually hilarious) histrionics - that the guys in DSO seem to be able to just play without appearing to want to “be” the Grateful Dead. Does anyone know what I mean here?
And as for just playing other people’s music without actually creating any of your own, didn’t Sinatra, Streisand, and Presley pretty much take material written by other and make it their own?
Go see DSO. Smoke a fatty in the parking lot, grab a cold Heineken and listen to the music.
DSO kicks ass. Love 'em. Love 'em to death. I think they have the chops to be something more than a Dead cover band. They obviously have good taste in music…
Saw two DSO shows at “The World” in Times Square, 11/29/02 and 11/30/02. They were awesome!!!
Get a load of this setlist (11/29/02):
Set 1: Promised Land, Half Step, Cassidy, Tennessee Jed, L. L. Rain, TLEO, Minglewood, Scarlet Begonias, Lazy Lightning> Supplication, Sugaree
Set 2: St. Stephen> NFA> St. Stephen> Help> Slipknot> Drumz> Samson> Slipknot> Franklin’s > Saturday Night
Encore 1: U. S. Blues
Encore 2: Box of Rain> Music Never Stopped> Terrapin
It was this Deadhead’s fantasy come true. I had seen 50-odd Dead shows, but never in such a small venue, right in front, with no pushing & shoving!