The evening of February 17th, 1973 in St. Paul, Minnesota was a cold one. One could argue that the Grateful Dead warmed things up a bit, though, as the temperature jumped almost 30 degrees while they were there, and went up 10 more the day they left town (see climate link below). The Dead were touring the Midwest that winter, hitting St. Paul between stops in Madison and Chicago, before they headed out East for the month of March.

That magical night 34 years ago was recently recreated in the other of Minnesota’s Twin Cities, Minneapolis. Thanks to the jet stream, seasonal climatic conditions, and the music of the Dark Star Orchestra, a similar winter heat wave blew through town again.

The Dark Star Orchestra (DSO) is not just another tribute band that plays the music of their favorite band. They recreate actual historic Grateful Dead set lists in the style of the band from that particular era. If the Dead had two drummers during a gig, then DSO will come with two drummers. This is very different than the genre many bands fall under- the cover band. Cover bands play the songs of popular bands and keep crowds happy by playing favorites, often upon request. Cover bands have been around for as long as there has been music worth repeating. Tribute bands are another story- it is another level of devotion, if you ask me.

Lisa Mackey, DSO’s female vocalist, turned in a masterful performance as the Grateful Dead icon, Donna Godchaux. After listening to the original Dead show from that night in 1973 (link below), I would have to say that Lisa actually outperformed her counterpart! The band consists of a corps of musicians, with special guests filling in specific niches to complete the re-creation. Just like the Grateful Dead was, DSO is a fluid machine that takes on new and returning members to create a family of devoted and talented musicians.

The beautiful thing about the DSO is how much you don’t know going into the gig. The band never lets on to what show they are playing, if they are indeed playing a gig. They are known to choose their own set lists from time to time- I suppose to keep their keen fans on their toes. While I surely recognized all of the songs I heard that night, it was more of a fond recollection, not a honed diagnosis. I had no idea whether it was the sixties, seventies, eighties or nineties. I really didn’t care- the music was tight, perhaps more technically acute than the Grateful Dead themselves on that particular night. It seemed that Bob Weir was a little off his game, but Rob Eaton, DSO’s rhythm guitarist and vocalist, didn’t miss a beat all night.

Benevento/Russo Duo perform "9 x 9" at the Chameleon Club 12.30.06:

It will come as news to nobody that there were a plethora of options available for New Years festivities on the East Coast this year. While the most enticing options almost always involve travel of some kind, I was lucky enough to find musical pleasures close to the Big Apple. However, my game plan involved turning a blind eye to the shenanigans in Atlantic City, and whether I could actually resist ringing in the New Year with the red-headed felon was a decision that many (including myself) wondered whether I could stick to. But stick I did, and I was rewarded with the warmest NYE run in recent memory.

The 29th began with a yummy double-header at Mo Pitkins of two sets of Honky-Tonk Allstars, Larune and Basement Band. Kamara Thomas bravely opened the Larune set with a solo acoustic debut of another of her signature panoramic song-writing journeys, and the band then joined her for favorites like "My Kentucky" and "I Just Don't Get It", the latter of which Jeff Malinowsky hilariously (and correctly) dubbed "Best song ever!". He thereafter took the stage with his Basement Band-mates, and delivered some wonderful a capella and acoustic numbers, including a lovely "Wagon Wheel". From Mo Pitkins, we hightailed it to the Knit to catch Rana's set, performing as a trio in the Tap Bar, and whilst the front row featured some distracting glow-ring e-tivity, Scott Metzger once again demonstrated his solid chops on guitar.

The House Democratic Leadership & The House Democratic Caucus For a Celebration Concert Honoring Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Special Musical Performances by
Tony Bennett
Carole King
Wyclef Jean
&
Your House Band Featuring
Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Bob Weir, Bruce Hornsby, Warren Haynes, Mike Gordon, and Special Guests With Special Appearances by Amy Brenneman Richard Gere
National Building Museum, Washington DC
Thursday January 4th, 2007

Elijah Lawrence:
God Bless America

Richard Gere spoke

Your House Band:
Shakedown Street ->
Trucking
End Of The Innocence