Greg from Chestertown

so, I’m at my nephews wedding about ten years ago. My other brothers son came down from Maine for the wedding. We’re all hanging out on the dance floor at the reception, talking, dancing, oh, and drinking. I tell my nephew from Maine about Dark Star Orchestra and how he needs to catch them when they play up that way. He proceeds to tell me the best story. His mother, before she met my brother, went on a date with this guy who took her to a Grateful Dead concert in Philly. She was not a deadhead. Before the show, this guy takes her out to lunch with his friend. So, they go to the show and the band comes out on stage. My sister-in-law says, ‘hey, that’s the guy we had lunch with.’ It was Jerry. My sister-in-law had lunch with Jerry Garcia and was clueless. True story.

I’m glad you brought it up. It’s the silence between the notes that makes the song. For me, the down time between shows is what makes the shows precious. I have always done it differently than most serious fans. I wait for the band to come around. Not a whole lot of traveling. Also, not a ton of shows but I get my share. It’s always new and exciting for me. I look forward, I get my show, I relish in the memories and the songs stuck in my head for a while, then I start thinking about and realizing I need a show. Note, silence, note. It took me fifteen years to catch thirty eight Grateful Dead shows. They were always as Fun as the first one where I knew what was going on. Come on, we were all awestruck at our first show. I dug up and counted my Dark Star ticket stubs. I’m on pretty much the same pace. It was as exciting for me last week as it was thirty eight years ago. I am so appreciative of Dark Star Orchestra. I look forward to shows with as much excitement as I do being at the show. It keeps me going. No pun intended.

Go ask Alice.

That part of Bertha took on new life and meaning after Jerry got busted. Kinda like Black Peter post coma. Sounds like a good pastime to go back and listen to the different versions and hear the evolution.

Couldn’t agree more. DSO played sing me back home in Dewey last year(?) it was right after Merle had passed. I was up front, it brought me to tears, thinking about my mother who had recently had a stroke that rendered her alive but speechless. I could see that the band was effected by that song also. If I ‘m not mistaken, Lisa missed some lyrics, being caught up in the power of the song. As far as the dancing goes, yea, dance your face off. I certainly don’t dance as to be judged by others. You might not like me, but you’ll never forget me. Yea, the bottle and Cork is vastly improved with the changes made to the back area. I still struggled with finding that sweet spot where you’re at a show with the band, far enough back to be able to flail about wildly ,yet, not be in a bar full of neon. I feel very fortunate to have caught the Dark Star shows that I did this year. I blew off New Years cuz it was nine fucking degrees out, got blessed with a nice handful of shows that really demonstrated the talents and abilities of every one in the band, onstage or backstage, individually and as a whole. I saw Baltimore, Jerry band show, seventies in Wilmington, Atlantic City was awesome, and first night Dewey was scrumptious. What a nice mix of shows. It’s part of who I am and I am greatly appreciative. Thank you, Dark Star Orchestra, on stage and back stage.

Nice!

So, Aretha space, is that a typo and really Althea or did they do some kind of tribute to Aretha? Did you guys get a psychedelic RESPECT or did auto correct strike again? I gotta ask.

Yea, I had a couple interesting interactions with other people at the couple of shows I caught last week. I hate to go negative but it takes all kinds. At the end of the day, I pray for those people. They’re really missing the boat on what’s important and what matters, to be able to enjoy life. I’m pretty excited about simply being alive. I dance like nobody’s watching or everybody is watching. Take your pick. I don’t care.

Yea, after being taken to school, I looked up the original set list as performed by the Dead. No drums. I lost my head, forgot where I was, didn’t think of the era. I’m telling ya, the first night at Dewey wiped me out. I overplayed my part. I’m half glad I ‘m back at work, getting the rest I need.

And the ongoing education continues.....Thanks!

No drums?, or just no drums on the list? I love sing me back home. They played that in Dewey a year or two ago. Sorry I missed it but the night before left me physically incapable. I overdanced. I love it when Dark Star comes around. My favorite time of the year. Thank You, band.

Yea, I was thinking about guys who like the early songs. A night full of them. If that’s what you like, you needed to be there. Dark Star Orchestra is as much of a gift to the world of music as the Grateful Dead.

the most interesting Box Of Rain I’ve ever seen. Lisa stole the show. I’m so glad I was there to experience it. A fun night of great older songs.

Let’s keep perspective. 35 minutes scarlet fire was followed up by estimated Eyes. Jam and then, jam. A slice of good lovin’ On one side with a slice of sugar mags on the other. Delicious and filling.

On this day in 1995, I was about to walk out the door, take my kids to Valley Garden Park. I think it’s some DuPont family members old back yard, Brandywine Valley. My buddy called me. He said I just wanted to let you know Jerry Garcia died. I let out a moan of sorrow and said, ok, let me go. I continued on to the park with my children. When we got to the park, there was a car in the parking lot with the back end covered in dead stickers. Someone sitting behind the wheel, quietly, window down. I didn’t say a word. I just let him be. My young children and I went for a walk through the park, just lolligagging along, taking our time, enjoying the ride. It was just like any other day that’s ever been, just a little sweeter.

It’s not so much that Dark Star Orchestra is recreating the Grateful Dead experience as they are picking up where the Grateful Dead left off. This set list shows that.

Wow, top 5? Musta been great. I’m liking second set to lay me down.

You’re still walking, so I’m sure that you can dance. Just a saint of circumstance....(you are still walking, right?)

When you woke from your dream, did you feel the need to use the bathroom? Could it be that when the Dead played Victim or the Crime , you took the opportunity to use the Ladies room and really there’s nothing wrong at all? Sorry, I had to ask. With all due respect, I hope you appreciate my sense of humor.

So, about a year or two ago, I stopped in town to grab a cup of coffee. There was a Toyota Land Cruiser in the parking lot with a huge stealie in the back window. I went inside, there were just a few people. It was clear to me who owned the truck. I walked up to him and ask, Are you a dead head? He smiled and said yes. I asked him what year he got started. He said, 1985, Hershey, Pa., had a blast. After the show, the band went North and so did I, got home sixty two days later. He said, my parents were like, ‘We thought you went to a concert?’ He said, I did! True story. I love it!

So, I learn the other night that my. Cousin passed away at 47. I learned last night that my 86 year old father fell and broke his leg. He’s been battling breast cancer for 20 years. I went to visit him in the hospital after work today. He was shook up, I’ve never seen him look so ‘not good’. While driving home from Wilmington, back to the Eastern shore, my heart was in a new place. Thinking about my parents lives coming to an end. I watched the sun sinking low, shining on the recently harvested wheat field. The electric wires along the road glowed with the gold of sunshine. Almost home, I turned off the main road, towards my neighborhood. Some one had attached a Grateful Dead flag to the stop sign. White flag, stealie, dancing bears, on a pole, in the breeze. That’s all. Thanks for letting me share.

So true. It’s actually ironic that I used the touch of grey reference. The crowd changed, some smaller facets of the Grateful Dead universe changed, but the band Did not. They just kept rolling along, staying true. I was thinking that when typing my previous post. It must be difficult for Dark Star Orchestra to not be effected by SELLING OUT RED ROCKS. It’s a beautiful thing, no doubt, but I hope they don’t react to that in any way that is detrimental in the long run. I have been absolutely loving Dark Star Orchestra for over eighteen years now, I respect the fragility and preciousness of it all. I just want to see it last. It keeps me going.

Yea, I am wondering if red rocks may have been a ‘touch of Grey’ moment for Dark Star Orchestra. We all know the wheel is turning and you can’t slow it down. This may change things. Larger venues, less show per year. It’s almost understandable if it happens. The band and crew have been on an Olympic pace, faster than the Grateful Dead themselves. I, personally, don’t want to see anything change but there is opportunity in everything. I do hope the band sees the good they were shown by our support for them Sunday night, continues to polish their game, adjusts course accordingly, and keeps on growing. You know this song, it ain’t never gonna end.

They’re a band beyond description.

Yea, my roommate (shroom mate) from college showed me the ropes of the Grateful Dead. He had the same thing done for him. One of the Ten Commandments was don’t even worry about your seat, just sit in the right section that’s on your ticket. On the other hand, fall tour ‘88, Philly spectrum. I had a ticket in the nosebleed section. I went inside as soon as the doors opened. I walked right past ‘security’ into the first level, on to the floor, right up near the stage on Jerry’s side. Ticket in hand, I pretended to look for my exact seat. Sat my ass down in the ninth row like I belonged there. The area filled up over time to the point of overcapacity. I wasn’t the only one with the same idea. It was a real treat, being close enough to watch the boys guitar work during second set jam. Unforgettable.