Show Analysis of Dark Star Orchestra
Live at Higher Ground
May 11-12, 2015 • Burlington,VT
By John Mikeska
At best, it’s a misnomer to classify Dark Star Orchestra as a “cover band”. At worst, it’s a disservice to the incalculable tribute that DSO pays to the legacy of the Grateful Dead. In a way a symbolic sentiment considering the impending Dead 50 shows. I imagine many people, both living and long since departed, are poised to be grateful for any outfit that provides a medium to express the music of The Grateful Dead in the coming age.
For those who have seen DSO for years, most notably when John K was in the lead-guitar role and before the advent of Furthur, it’s no secret that the band is capable of providing experiences that many would choose over a Ratdog or Phil and Friends show.
Personally, I can think of a few festival experiences where looking back on the evening the DSO show is what stood out most in my mind. That’s saying a lot considering their taking on the most heavily criticized song book in the improvisational/jam-scene.
DSO has artfully and decidedly made an effort to focus their sound on specific elements of the Dead’s musical evolution. A wise choice, considering they’ve been able to find a symbiotic balance between the ass-kicking name-taking blues band of the late 60’s early 70’s and the spacial, cosmic sounds that filled the air and challenged the constructs of space and time as the band made their way into arenas.
The new “fake Jerry” (I mean this in a very positive way) has harnessed the tight, groove-melody sounds that John Jerome used predominantly in earlier times and in JGB. An obvious statement of this fact is found in the symbolic choice of the made/model of guitar Jerry used for JGB, Travis Bean Custom TB 500 Guitar.
By incorporating thematic elements reminiscent of the improvisational style of Jerry Garcia, the lead-guitarist brings a refreshing air of authenticity to the music. The ability to slide in to chordal statements and present melodic ideas in and out of rhythmic punctuations is more of a “feel” than a stylistic aspect that can be practiced incessantly to the point of mastery. In order to pull of this sound a dedication to listening, practicing, and playing cannot be substituted.
The first of a two-night run at Higher Ground was a grab bag show, opening up with an awe-inspiring selection of tunes to all who posses the wherewithal to appreciate the rootsy sounds of early-days Dead. On paper, this could easily be one of those sets that you keep coming back to. We all have those experiences where “that was about as good as any first-set can get”. Generally favoring style, taste, and placement over exploratory jamming (with the exception of a few songs). Of course, these guidelines are barely even guidelines, and are characteristically broken all the time.
The hook-line-and-sinker for me was the 77’ style “Jack-A-Roe” in the middle of the first set. This selection featured the syncopated-boogie rhythm found on the “Live from the Phil Zone” record that I’ve held in the high regard since the first listen. Before “Jack-A-Roe”, “Me and My Uncle”, “Brown Eyed Woman”, and “It’s All Over Now” provided a soulful backdrop and sultry opening to the two-night run. You can’t help but appreciate the feeling that passion and dedication play an integral part in the creation of the “grab-bag” set lists that DSO creates in lieu of a traditional set-list recreation. “Money Honey” made a notable appearance as a “first-time-ever-played” song by DSO.
Moving on, arguably one of the best tunes by Bobby and John Perry Barlow, “Cassidy” began the descent to the completion of the first-set. I wan’t to go on record and say that I enjoy the “Donna” for DSO. She artfully takes the best parts of Donna Jeane (yes, there are some) especially on songs like “Eyes”, and “Cassidy” where the higher-register female voice provides a beautiful musical coloration. She does a very good job of staying balanced in the mix, and staying away from the “WOOOO HOOOO OOOOO HOOOOOO!!!’s” that lost favor with the original Donna.
The entire second set flowed from one song to the next without interruption. “Uncle John’s Band” was welcomed as a musical opening to the controlled chaos of “The Other One” which carried through the meat of the second-set. St. Stephen > He’s Gone > Got My Mojo Workin’ was a beautifully constructed rhythmic/musical journey that spans a 60’s era rock sound, followed by a groovy descent into a folk-blues territory that raised more knees and picked up more heels than any other on this particular evening. Everyone in attendance came together for “The Wheel” and “Going Down The Road Feeling Bad”. The latter, being a Woody Guthrie tune that Jerry brought to the band from his earliest interest in folk music. This tune has taken on a life all it’s own and become a fan favorite since it’s inception into the Dead song library.
The second night at Higher Ground opened with a vivacious Help! > Slip > Franklin’s. Jack Straw and Peggy-O were both beautifully rendered in the middle of the first-set and gave way to a ragin’ “Deal”. To close the first-set, “Let it Grow” came off surprisingly well for such a technically demanding selection.
The second-set opened with a delicious “Dancing” that featured the chewy Mu-Tron sounds that Jerry so heavily used in the 70’s. “Estimated” signaled the beginning of the decent into second-set mayhem. The deep, heavy bass of “Estimated Prophet” opened the portals to the expansive “Eyes of the World > Drums” segment. Eventually, the dueling kit-drums found their way to a synchronous beat that all who know, knew would yield a “Not Fade Away”.
The droning, emotive force that is “ Wharf Rat” is a personal favorite in the “bring-it-back-home” position towards the end of a second-set. “Around and Around” was welcomed by all to end the evening on a positive note.
Perhaps ironically, DSO has assumed an evolutionary role all it’s own. Assuming the passionate pursuit of authenticity inspires their development; all who appreciate this band and enjoy the live experience have much to look forward to as we usher in a new era and honor the MOST grateful of ALL the dead.
SETLISTS:
DSO • Higher Ground • 5.11.2015
Set One: Might As Well ; Me And My Uncle ; Brown Eyed Women ; It’s All Over Now ; *Jack-A-Row ; Beat It On Down The Line ; **Money Honey ; Cassidy ; Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodleloo > The Music Never Stopped
Set Two: Uncle John’s Band > The Other One (v1) > Saint Stephen > He’s Gone > Got My Mojo Working > drums > space > The Other One (v2) > The Wheel > China Doll > Going Down The Road Feeling Bad
Encore: Tore Up
* 77 style **First Time Played
DSO • Higher Ground • 5.12.2015
• Originally performed by the Grateful Dead -1977-10-11 • Lloyd Noble Center • University of Oklahoma
Set One: Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Franklin’s Tower ; Jack Straw ; Peggy-O ; El Paso ; Sunrise ; Deal ; Let It Grow
Set Two: Dancing In The Street ; Dire Wolf ; Estimated Prophet > Eyes Of The World > Drums > Not Fade Away > Wharf Rat > Around And Around
Filler: Mister Charlie ; Box Of Rain
– Setlist Sources: Star Base
Special thanks to Mitchito & Kdub
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