Greg from Chestertown

On this day in 1995, I was about to walk out the door, take my kids to Valley Garden Park. I think it’s some DuPont family members old back yard, Brandywine Valley. My buddy called me. He said I just wanted to let you know Jerry Garcia died. I let out a moan of sorrow and said, ok, let me go. I continued on to the park with my children. When we got to the park, there was a car in the parking lot with the back end covered in dead stickers. Someone sitting behind the wheel, quietly, window down. I didn’t say a word. I just let him be. My young children and I went for a walk through the park, just lolligagging along, taking our time, enjoying the ride. It was just like any other day that’s ever been, just a little sweeter.

It’s not so much that Dark Star Orchestra is recreating the Grateful Dead experience as they are picking up where the Grateful Dead left off. This set list shows that.

Wow, top 5? Musta been great. I’m liking second set to lay me down.

You’re still walking, so I’m sure that you can dance. Just a saint of circumstance....(you are still walking, right?)

When you woke from your dream, did you feel the need to use the bathroom? Could it be that when the Dead played Victim or the Crime , you took the opportunity to use the Ladies room and really there’s nothing wrong at all? Sorry, I had to ask. With all due respect, I hope you appreciate my sense of humor.

So, about a year or two ago, I stopped in town to grab a cup of coffee. There was a Toyota Land Cruiser in the parking lot with a huge stealie in the back window. I went inside, there were just a few people. It was clear to me who owned the truck. I walked up to him and ask, Are you a dead head? He smiled and said yes. I asked him what year he got started. He said, 1985, Hershey, Pa., had a blast. After the show, the band went North and so did I, got home sixty two days later. He said, my parents were like, ‘We thought you went to a concert?’ He said, I did! True story. I love it!

So, I learn the other night that my. Cousin passed away at 47. I learned last night that my 86 year old father fell and broke his leg. He’s been battling breast cancer for 20 years. I went to visit him in the hospital after work today. He was shook up, I’ve never seen him look so ‘not good’. While driving home from Wilmington, back to the Eastern shore, my heart was in a new place. Thinking about my parents lives coming to an end. I watched the sun sinking low, shining on the recently harvested wheat field. The electric wires along the road glowed with the gold of sunshine. Almost home, I turned off the main road, towards my neighborhood. Some one had attached a Grateful Dead flag to the stop sign. White flag, stealie, dancing bears, on a pole, in the breeze. That’s all. Thanks for letting me share.

So true. It’s actually ironic that I used the touch of grey reference. The crowd changed, some smaller facets of the Grateful Dead universe changed, but the band Did not. They just kept rolling along, staying true. I was thinking that when typing my previous post. It must be difficult for Dark Star Orchestra to not be effected by SELLING OUT RED ROCKS. It’s a beautiful thing, no doubt, but I hope they don’t react to that in any way that is detrimental in the long run. I have been absolutely loving Dark Star Orchestra for over eighteen years now, I respect the fragility and preciousness of it all. I just want to see it last. It keeps me going.

Yea, I am wondering if red rocks may have been a ‘touch of Grey’ moment for Dark Star Orchestra. We all know the wheel is turning and you can’t slow it down. This may change things. Larger venues, less show per year. It’s almost understandable if it happens. The band and crew have been on an Olympic pace, faster than the Grateful Dead themselves. I, personally, don’t want to see anything change but there is opportunity in everything. I do hope the band sees the good they were shown by our support for them Sunday night, continues to polish their game, adjusts course accordingly, and keeps on growing. You know this song, it ain’t never gonna end.

They’re a band beyond description.

Yea, my roommate (shroom mate) from college showed me the ropes of the Grateful Dead. He had the same thing done for him. One of the Ten Commandments was don’t even worry about your seat, just sit in the right section that’s on your ticket. On the other hand, fall tour ‘88, Philly spectrum. I had a ticket in the nosebleed section. I went inside as soon as the doors opened. I walked right past ‘security’ into the first level, on to the floor, right up near the stage on Jerry’s side. Ticket in hand, I pretended to look for my exact seat. Sat my ass down in the ninth row like I belonged there. The area filled up over time to the point of overcapacity. I wasn’t the only one with the same idea. It was a real treat, being close enough to watch the boys guitar work during second set jam. Unforgettable.

I love it!, scrambled mind. What they play? I dunno but it was hot!!!!

WOW !!!

Ok, I did it backwards again. True story but show opener, not second set. June17, 1991

So, I read somewhere, when Hornsby was playing with the Dead, that it was his suggestion to open the second set with Eyes. I’m wondering if this is a recreation of that show.

Being stoned makes pizza better.

Two years ago, Camden, summer solstice,I went spontaneously after running into a couple on their way to the show at WaWa (convenience store) in Delaware. Dirty, work clothes, boots. I got lost in the dregs of Camden fo about 45minutes after the show. I blew off stop signs, didn’t stop driving until I found a bridge. I’ll never go back. Yes, I can do GPS now. Gonna research Atlantic City DSO on Jerry’s death date, room too. Then Dewey.

A half a show for the price of three. They got rained out last nite so half again.

Yea, I watched a clip of Jack A Roe break out and turned it off. It was sad. But, hey, Johnny learned a new song. Jeff is doing a phenomenal job channeling Jerry. Dark Star is it! Don’t tell anybody, though. They’ll just crowd the venues, triple ticket prices. Next thing you know, DSO will be playing stadiums and I’ll be in the nose bleed section watching through binoculars. Sshhh, it’ll be our little secret.

Grotto pizza down the street from the Bottle and Cork in Dewey Beach is full of tye dyes after the show.

I just passed a trailer boat going the other way on a road near the Chesapeake. Big letters down the side of the boat; ESTIMATED PROPHET. I call my twelve foot megayacht ' Box a rain'. She's fifty years old this year. I put a new transom in it this winter. Looking forward to splashing her and going looking for arrowheads on the beaches. That's all, thanks for letting me share.

Nice. It looks like you guys got a showstopper in there with Good outlaw’s wife.

I love it! Morning after set recollection. Maybe a designated set list recorder is in order. Ever ask yourself, 'wait, did they play that or was that on the tape we listened to on the ride there.?' Good times.

I noticed that, and commented on that when I first discovered you guys at the turn of the century. I told people you were The Grateful Dead without the mistakes. A sober, professional version of the dead. Thank you for enduring and continually swinging by the neighborhood. One beautiful oasis.

I bet it was ‘88 or ‘89.