To A Tee: Dark Star Orchestra Keeps to its Roots

nickhaig — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 17:12:30 -0700

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.

what happened to Jerry Garcia Band Keystone Berkeley 7/22/1974 show?

jackieleighk — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 13:40:19 -0800

can't get this show to download, any help?

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chief — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 20:37:29 -0800

Copy of CambodianGirlEmailcopy.jpg

Years In Your Ears DVD Cover

mike — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 16:41:14 -0800

Years In Your Ears DVD Cover

nene and sky

rsweiss — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 20:31:34 -0800

nene and sky

Setbreak.com - Pictures

To A Tee: Dark Star Orchestra Keeps to its Roots

what happened to Jerry Garcia Band Keystone Berkeley 7/22/1974 show?

Copy of CambodianGirlEmailcopy.jpg

Years In Your Ears DVD Cover

nene and sky