Greg from Chestertown

Yea, I’m glad that the band, the fans, and the venue were collectively able to put some distance between themselves and those past, unattractive memories.

so, I researched the original show out of my usual curiosity. The original didn’t have an encore that night. The ripple encore is actually the filler, I guess. I wasn’t there, last night or the original show.

I have a tape of the Grateful Dead hour that I recorded in, probably ‘88, off of the radio. Jerry is singing Black Peter. He just finishes the line ‘ just then, the wind came squalling through the door.’ At that point, my stereo picked up a CB radio. There’s a burst of static, a girl says, ‘ watch it, buddy’ and the radio goes back to Jerry singing Black Peter. Surreal?

So, I just had a thought. (Scared?) will these be the first electric shows for the Hamilton?

I’m figured that, at first, fans thought the fire alarm was part of the show. I’ve seen Rob use a hacksaw during the drums before. Another Black muddy river. That’s fine with me!

So, I’m in the UPS store this morning, getting something laminated. Shining Star is playing on the speakers in the ceiling, The Billy Davis/Marylin McCoo version from the seventies. I told the young fella helping me out, ‘ Jerry Garcia does this tune.’ He says, ‘ who the hell is Jerry Garcia?’ Surreal moment for me.

When I first started catching Dark Star shows, I was always reporting to my buddy John Devine. He told me, if you’re always going to Dark Star shows, you gotta meet Bixby. He goes all the time too. (We’re all from Wilmington) I was at the Grand Opera House In Wilmington, De. Before a show way back when. I’m standing next to the will call window and I here a guy say ‘ yea, ticket for Scott Bixby.’ I introduced myself, that’s where it all began. Whenever I’m at a show, we always seem to find each other, if only for a minute. He has introduced me to all of his friends every time. (I remember nobody’s names. I’m like that.) Bixby is the quintessential Starhead! Keep up the good work!

I went to my fourth Grateful Dead concert by myself. I prefer going it alone. Your friends will be there. If I went to shows with other people, when we got to our seats, I would immediately say, I ‘ll be right back. They wouldn’t see me again until they got back to the car in the parking lot.

Damn, Bix! Congrats. Halfway through reading your post, I told myself you should write a book. I think you just did.

Sugar Mags/Scarlet/fire is one of my favorites. Did they finish Sugar mags or did the Sunshine Daydream part show up later in the show? Or not at all?

Hey, I did the same thing for a Furthur show a few years back. The Atlantic City paper had them doing two shows later that summer at Fairmont Park. I never checked again and drove up for the first night. The first clue was the incredible parking spot we got. Yup, the band only showed up for the second night.

Somebody did that last year. Went to another town with the same name. Salvaged the journey by finding them and enjoying a show. Nice recovery!

Heads up. Traffic around DC could be problematic. Allow for the clusterfuck factor.

Yea, I’m excited too. Already counting the days. What they do in shows right before will help determine what they’re not going to do. I hope work doesn’t get in the way. Gotta plant corn around that time. I see they played Black Muddy River again recently. That’s one trend I noticed. You taping it?

I’m lovin’ the second set, especially the home stretch.

Two sandwiches second set

I think the greater point is that Dark Star Orchestra keeps us thinking and being blown away simultaneously. Praise Dark Star Orchestra !!!!!!

I figured people were thinking early nineties until Day Job at which point everyone turned to the person next to them and said ‘Elective’,

I’m digging operator.

Yea, I was reading on line, the original show was second night back from their hiatus. Interesting set list. I love the second set. They were saying how fall ‘76 had some spots that were as sweet as Spring ‘77 and Comes a Time from this night was one of them. I’m sure Dark Star Orchestra did it justice.

Filler?

pirate walks into a bar, he’s got a ship’s steering wheel in his pants. Bartender says, ‘hey, you know you’ve got a ship’s steering wheel in your pants?’ Pirate says, ‘ Aaargh, it’s driving me nuts!’

Encore? Filler? Curious if they stayed with the same era, or mixed it up. They never cease to amaze.

The same situation exists in Dewey Beach. They usually play two nights there. One is always pre ‘74, the other elective. The band will keep it interesting. That’s the other given. Enjoy!

Hardpan will understand.