5/14 Westbury

[found]

04/22/77

The Spectrum - Philadelphia, PA

Promised Land

Mississippi Half-Step

Looks Like Rain

Deal

El Paso

Tennessee Jed

Estimated Prophet

Peggy-O

Playin' In The Band

Scarlet Begonias

Fire On The Mountain

Samson And Delilah

It Must Have Been The Roses

Dancin' In The Streets

Mojo

Dancin' In The Streets

The Wheel

Terrapin Station

white rabbit

[Vic81]

Terrapin>rabbit...thank u DSO...that scarlet>fire was beautiful as always...see u at at the cap 2 times In a row............

[Mango]

Glad I made the trip, classic 77 barn burner

[vbf3]

Great time as always, the band sounded great and certainly seemed to be enjoying themselves. Highlights for me were the groove they got into during Mississippi 1/2 step and the Scarlet/Fire, as well as the Dancin in the streets. As usual, looking forward to the next DSO show!

[Vic81]

Absolutely beautiful show, cant say enough about this band. The were flowing on all cylinders. The first set was fking awsome and the second was even better. Deal El Paso and Tennessee loved it. And that was an amazing terrapin like I said before, but can't say it enough. I would say there were highlights but it was the whole show. Thank you again. Can't wait for next weekend

[Mango]

Sounded like a dark star tease between scarlet and fire

[Vic81]

Yes it did, enjoyed that thorougly. The light show made me realize what was happening. 2 times in a row. Thank you mango

[Mango]

Vic, going to any more shows, have we met?

[Vic81]

Nah dude I don't think we've met, I will be at both nights at the capital

[Vic81]

What's your next show?

[Tom Banjo]

He was there 2nite.

[Tom Banjo]

Promised Land

Half-Step

LLR

Deal

El Paso

T Jed

Estimated 

Peggy-O

Playing in the Band

 

Sure glad I didn't bail on this gig.  Westbury and NYC seemed like a bad idea on short sleep.  NYC is full of heads who have lost their spirit.  The fire, the drive, and the desire to chase down life and everything and anything this wild crazy adventure has to offer has subsided.  When Jerry died, a lot of heads lost their spirit.  For many, the spirit had been dying for years.  The decline in the quality of the music, the explosion of fans following Touch., the struggle with addiction and simply the evolution of life (jobs and families) had driven them away from that idealistic reckless abandon that allows you to believe anything and everything is possible.  The insatiable drive to seek out the unknown is gone.  

 

The Grateful Dead played and contributed to a song book that encapsulates the spirit of adventure.  Jerry, Hunter, and the rest of the band where blown away by the stories of Cassidy, Kerouac and other writers/travellers of the jazz beat age.  Even before Hunter and Jerry would start to shape their own tale and add their sense of abandon, Jerry had gone out on the road to hear other musicians play.  Jerry was the original tour kid.  Lost, but not too worried about being found while he chased the sounds pulsating from the universe.

 

The Grateful Dead connected to a music tradition that is as old as man itself.  The rhythms they shared with us come from deep inside the universe and emanated through their souls.  They were able to get in touch with the vibrations of the universe. They found roots in the blues and early Americana.  These roots found their foundation in man's struggle, but also in mans hope for a better tomorrow.  It didn't matter who wrote the song when the grateful dead played it.  They made it their own and reshaped it through the lens of adventure.  

 

There was a war going on.  Cold War. Vietnam.  These harsh realities of a world gone mad and apparently showing no desire for recourse., helped facilitate an idealogical shift amongst much of the youth of America.  This culminated in large events like woodstock, but eventually as the War ended corporatism, commercialism, and conformity dominated the cultural norms.  

 

However, the GD emerged as true champions of this counter culture and although the scene may have reached its peak in beauty and vision in the late 60s.,  For 30 years, Jerry Garcia and the GD provided those infected with the spirit of the road a vehicle to travel the country and build their own community and culture.  They continued to share this message with new generations year in and year out as their music spread across college campuses. Jerry led America's youths and those stuck in the idealism of their youth as they dropped out. The GD provided a vehicle for those that couldn't seem to find their place in the current culture of US. They championed the principles of Kerouac's "On the Road."  This sense of physical exploration was also coupled by an explosion in the use of a new or at least new on the street drug, LSD.  This drug helped those who were on the road fundamentally shift their ideas and beliefs through continual mind exploration and expansion.  

 

A nomadic culture in America was born.   Jerry would play pedal steel on CSN tune Teach your Children.  The song speaks to the fact that those of us on the road must have a code.  The community that developed around the GD had many layers.  It always had it casual fans.  You know, those that catch the local shows, know the radio hits, and generally have fun dancing to music.  But at its core, the GD had a traveling family.  These core members of the GD scene became recognizable faces to the other core members as they travelled from state to state to see their favorite band play, but also to support themselves, start families, and just generally challenge the laws of conformity. These were the true fans. The 1 in 10,000.  When you meet someone who saw their first shows, in the 70s or 80s and they say they saw 50 shows, they were casual fans.  The core fans saw 100s of shows.  It would be easier to count the shows they missed then the one's they made.  These fans developed a culture of acceptance and non-judgment.  These ideals were greatly rooted in the Christian morality that exists in theory all over the US, but in practice had become increasingly hard to find.  These fans shared their sense of the adventure and spread love whenever and wherever they could.  They were the backbone of the GD community.  They shared the code with newcomers and tried to keep their vision of the scene alive.

 

After Jerry died, the scene and community took a major step back in size and scope.  Phish took over many the casual fans even some of the hardcore.  They for many became the vehicle for traveling the country and having a good time.  Other bands also popped up that became key parts in some Heads life, Panic, Cheese, etc.  These bands played good party dance music, but for me, shared less of a connection to the intrinsic value of the Earth and its inhabitants.  The wide variety of festivals provided another outlet to party.  Additionally, some just lost their spirit for the road.  This happened to some while Jerry was alive, but his death greatly effected many.  People would succomb to drugs addiction and the societal push for conform.  This step back may have been a good thing.  The scene had taken a poor turn.  It had grown to large to fast to sustain itself.  Dangerous drug use, theft, and other generally and reasonably disapproved behavior became norms at Dead concerts and events. This also pushed many of the core fans away.  For these people, the music and not the party always came first.  

 

I was born in 1986.  When Jerry died, I had never heard of the Grateful Dead.  My parents weren't Heads.  I wouldn't even call them hippies. I needed these other bands and these other parties to help me find my way to my muse.  I discovered that the Grateful Dead was a major influence for most of the bands on the festival circuit.  Their members still played these festivals and gigged across the US.  I started to see GD music in the Summer of 2004.  I mostly saw the Boys out the gate.  The Dead, Bob Weir and Ratdog, Phil Lesh and Friends.  I also saw a few Dark Star Orchestra shows.  I did this for several years (2004 to 2007) at a reasonable but slow rate.  I was still seeing other bands and interested in going to festivals to party.  I was still getting my supplies from strangers at concert events across America.  I hadn't really connected to any community, but I was discovering a scene.  DSO didn't really have a scene.  I had to get my supplies elsewhere for DSO shows.  The quality of music however was vastly more powerful.  The musicians and their connection to the beat of the universe and to one another allowed them to capture that same incredible whirlwind of color and imagination.  I'm not saying Phil or Bobby lost this connection, but their bands, in my eyes, certainly became inconsistent, less rock-n-roll driven, and more influenced by their individual visions of the music than the collective symbiosis of the players.  I don't want to underestimate the importance of the Phil and Bobby in shaping my development.  I met key members of my inner circle, my Dead Family, at these shows.  

 

It was the old timers at Dso, however, that truly showed and brought me into their community. Many of those people are still active in the community today.  Some are less active.  The spirit of the road and adventure become tougher and tougher to maintain as the realism and cynicism replaces the youthful idealism.  I can not thank these people enough.  They gave me and others place to belong.  They taught me how to respect the listener's experience.  They taught me about loving thy neighbor.  They taught me how to stay out of trouble going down this road with very few rules to guide.  They showed me that this music and its connection with the struggling man also radiated through their bones.  They helped me find a connection to other people.  I had a sense of belonging.  Most of my friends today are Heads and people I met in this scene.  I didn't meet them all at DSO.  I still see other Dead music and now more easily meet people in those scenes now.  After I became a member of the Dso family, it was easier for me to approach other members in the GD family and find my place there.  I'm Dark Star Rick.  I am now beyond any doubt a member of this scene and community.  I am a driving force within the DSO community and scene.  I am a core fan.

 

I used to feel I was born to late.  I really needed to see Jerry and I had been cheated by some cruel twist of time to miss out on the experience.  The community he built has done more for me than anything other than my parents. I no longer feel that way.  I found a scene and culture that was at the very least shifting if not dying.  New generations were leaning towards other bands and other genres of music.  Many festivals today are dominated by electronica.  Many of the true heads, the original core fans had lost interest, past away, or only maintain a tepid interest.  Many now acted more like the casual fans, doing only their local shows.  Many of the old timer's at DSO were in this boat.  They believe that the feeling was gone and that they may never rekindle it again.  Then they saw DSO.  Everything changed.  The spirit for the road was relit and they began chasing down the sound again.

 

Westbury showed me once again just how important I am to keeping this scene alive.  Jerry's message needed me. We enter the show and look for a place to dance.  Mango and I spent the majority of the first set looking for a place to dance.  We went to the very top of the balcony, to the sound board, and check areas in both front corners.  At one point, I began to reserve myself to the fact that I may spend the whole show sitting with Ellie out by merch.  This was possibly the worse crowd I've been around in several years.  We had talkers back by the soundboard.  We had screamers up in the balcony.  We had talkers to the left and talkers to right.  I could barely hear the band play LLR.  Peggy O and Playing were really the only songs I was able to get my groove onto, but I had found our dance spot.  We were going to get to show Westbury one way to stay engaged while the band was playing, dancing.  

 

The surprising thing about the majority of the talkers and those generally not here for the show, they were old enough to see Jerry.  They were supposed to be the the one's showing me how to get engaged in the music, but these people didn't have a clue.  They couldn't even imagine how important that LLR rain was to me.  It's fucking raining, but I couldn't even get the emotional response that the song and she deserves out of me because I was too irritated to lock in.  These people out of their disrespect for me, the music, and the band ruined most of the my first set experience.  

 

 

Scarlet

Fire

Samson 

Roses

Dancing

Mojo

Dancing

Wheel

Terrapin

 

White Rabbit

 

The 2nd set was absolute fire.  Myself and few other tour cats relocated upfront.  One older guy with very limited dance skills joined our fray for most of the 2nd set.  He bumped into mango and I several times.  It was a touch annoying, but I was so grateful to see a core fan from the Jerry era that still engaged himself the whole show.  I think he sweated more than anyone there.  I grabbed him a water at the end of the gig.   We grooved hard.  We maintained space and we shared our energy all around.  During Fire and Dancing something amazing happened, the same people who had spent most of the first set talking and a good part of the 2nd set talking engaged in the show.  They did their equivalent of dancing.  It was beautiful.  I think we may have helped facilitate that but the band certainly did.  The fire and dancing were incredible.  The whole 2nd set really did it for me.  The Roses was sweet and heartfelt.  Terrapin wove a beautiful tapestry of longing and loving.  The wheel pushed me further reaffirming that I can't slow down.  By the end of the show, our little corner was pretty much totally engaged to the show.  I know the dancer's helped make this happen.  

 

Love is Real

[Island Bro]

Thanks Rick! That was somewhat comprehensive.

[John A]

Excellent essay (it is an essay more so than a show review IMHO).  The only thing good about being old enough to see Jerry is that means you had the brilliantly good fortune to have been able to see Jerry.  The rest of that sentiment just means that you're old.

 

Love this observation in particular, and I totally agree with it:

 

 I'm not saying Phil or Bobby lost this connection, but their bands, in my eyes, certainly became inconsistent, less rock-n-roll driven, and more influenced by their individual visions of the music and not the collective symbiosis of the players.

[Tom Banjo]

It was an essay.  It fell into this show review because the crowd was so bad and I didn't want my own thread for this.

[Tom Banjo]

It was formulated in my head during the show and afterwards.  I told Mango about it on the ride home.  I was careful not to rub the old guys the wrong way I hope.  I will get old too and someday it will be somebody else's turn to drive the train.

[chuckvegas]

"I was careful not to rub the old guys the wrong way I hope."

No worries. The things we do look awful cold.

[Island Bro]

[quote name="Mason's Child" post="151642" timestamp=

The Grateful Dead connected to a music tradition that is as old as man itself. The rhythms they shared with us come from deep inside the universe and emanated through their souls. They were able to get in touch with the vibrations of the universe. They found roots in the blues and early Americana. These roots found their foundation in man's struggle, but also in mans hope for a better tomorrow. It didn't matter who wrote the song when the grateful dead played it. They made it their own and reshaped it through the lens of adventure.

No need for any ego inflation but this paragraph really struck me as laced with brilliance...

[Rude]

And I thought New Yorkers were all respectful. Who knew?

[Tea]

Something tells me these edicts had been rattlin around for a little while now.  It must have been one hell of a catalyst to get them to the point of such articulation - or maybe you just had a little time.  Whatever the case is/was, I'm glad you shared it!

[Ammagamalin Crew]

Keeping the words of Dylan and hunter rolling through your head is a great way to live life, esp... don't think twice, it's alright , there is a really good interview of Billy from Ventura 85, video after us blues live on the beach...voodoonola3

[Rude]

Something tells me these edicts had been rattlin around for a little while now. It must have been one hell of a catalyst to get them to the point of such articulation - or maybe you just had a little time. Whatever the case is/was, I'm glad you shared it!

Looks like texting and driving. Kills a lot of time on the road and MC does have legit driving skills without ever looking at the road. Doing 4 things at once never crossing the yellow line is a solid skill.

[Vic81]

I really enjoyed reading that whole piece MC. It's because I can relate on a few points you hit. And my experience that night as well as with this music has been somewhat similar.

Me and my girlfriend walked in at westbury, I was already getting annoyed at the lack of space to even move around let alone dance. A lot of people moving all around, talking and talking,and trying to get through with 4 beers at a time. Seemed like from the start not many people were listening or watching the band. We had found a little spot where we had some room by the corner steps going up to the next level. I too noticed that this crowd was something I hadnt expected. There were def people there who were old enough to have seen jerry but could care less about the music. More about getting as drunk as possible before Half-step had even started. It almost looked like a happy hour scene where people just happened to walk into a live band playing. It got worse before better. My gf asked me how come she can't hear during LLR and then again with El Paso . And I told her look around. EVEYONES talking. Two drunk chicks in high heels and dresses laughing and stumbling bumped us and spilled a drink on my gf. Not that there's anything wrong with high heels and dresses but at that moment...u get my point... It was then I went to the bar and had a Jameson and a beer. I enjoyed the first set very much, but the vibe and the crowd took a piece of it away.

Like you said mc the second was a totally different story.During intermission we moved right up and that's where we stayed. Had a totally different experience where everyone around me was happy and moving along to the music. Nobody barelling over us to hit the bar or talking up a storm. I gave my review of the second so I won't repeat myself but it was amazing. I am from NYC not Manhattan, but the Bronx. I was not totally thrown off guard by the scene at westbury bc I have been partying for awhile and that was a typical Long Island crowd. But regardless it was disappointing, in the begining.

I too missed Jerry, i was born in 81. I was 13 when he died. I would have seen his last show at Giants stadium but it didn't happen. My older buddies were going..Too young mom said. Just like you I've been raised on bobby, Phil and friends, furthur, DSO. And there's nothing wrong with that. I totally agree with your views on bobby and Phil and to be honest, I haven't quite had the same experiences at those shows that I've had at a DSO show. I've said to myself when I was younger...damn just a few years earlier and I could've at least caught some of the early 90's shows. It would have been nice but it was not meant to be. He gave us this community like you said and his music and spirit lives through this band. On Friday i will be with some of my older friends that have seen the GD numerous times. And there ages range from 45 to 65. They enjoy DSO just as much as GD. They appreciate it and realize it's an extension of what they once knew as the greatest band they ever saw. Due to age, health, family and work They do not get out as much as me or you or any of this community/family who follow the band. They love the fact I'm gonna hit 6 shows on this east coast tour. And that's not even a lot. I would do every show if i could. Just not in the cards for me.

There are core, casual, and all kinds of fans. You def are a core fan. A road warrior. I give U credit man. We haven't met, I'm sure we will but I feel like we've had very similar experiences. You kick started this response in me bc as I read your response this morning I said holy shit I was seeing the same thing at this show and I thought Id give you and everyone here a little piece of what i feel and what I've experienced. Hope that's cool!!!

To everyone who is able to follow this band from state to state. Cheers! It's a great thing, it's a phenomenal band. Thanks for hearing me out!

Capitol 2 nights coming up, can't wait.

[GoingBackTo Where....]

Those feelings and thoughts have been formulated years ago, perhaps something at Westbury brought it together!! Always good to read heartfelt feelings about this stuff!!! And with out a doubt Darkstar Rick, I am very sure you have encouraged many to lower guards and the let the music hit places they might not of if you were not around!!! Ome of the. Biggest reasons you have my respect!!!

[gr8fulpair]

Good read Rick, even though I knew all that shit already.