Blair Jackson Interview With Jk On Dead.net

[SeanAY]

http://www.dead.net/features/news/going-furthur-john-kadlecik-dead-net-interview

A mighty fine interview with JK, which deals quite a bit with his musical influences and the fate of some of his earlier bands.

Must admit, I was irked when he didn't correct Blair when Blair referred to Rob Eaton and Kevin Rosen as "Bobby" and "Phil"...a simple mistake for Blair, sure, but I would have expected JK to at least mention them by name. He didn't tour with them for years or anything...

I don't harbor any hard feelings for JK, and I respect his decision to move on. But that seemed like a cold move.

Whatever. It's still an EXCELLENT interview (as so many of Blair Jackson's are.)

[gr8fulpair]

More dissappointed in Blair Jackson's comment "I only saw DSO one time a couple of years ago and something about the experience left me cold."

WTF. Maybe he ate the brown acid...................... everyone knows not to eat the brown acid....

[SeanAY]

You know, I wondered the same thing myself. Then again, as we've all unanimously agreed on this board over the past several months, what might be right for you may not be right for some. Let's not forget that over the past 15 years, there are STILL some people who haven't come around to DSO but enjoy Ratdog, Phil & Friends, etc. It is what it is. Some of my best friends, with excellent taste in music, just don't "get" artists like Bob Dylan and The Beatles. It's all context, I guess, and I can't blame Blair for saying he didn't "get" DSO the one time he saw them.

I'm not the best person to carry on that part of the conversation, because I'm biased towards DSO. I never got to see Jerry or the Good Ol', so for the longest time DSO was the closest thing to the Grateful Dead I could ever get. After an overwhelming first show (I didn't know 75% of the songs, nor had I ever seen crowds full of whirling dervishes in long tie-dye dresses...and those were just the guys!), I was sucked in for good.

I loved JK's reasoning behind the success of DSO, by the way: something like "they were musicians before they were Deadheads." I've heard SOME of the stories: I know Rob K. and Dino were music majors in college, but what about the rest of the band? I'd love to hear about it sometime.

[gr8fulpair]

You know, I wondered the same thing myself. Then again, as we've all unanimously agreed on this board over the past several months, what might be right for you may not be right for some. Let's not forget that over the past 15 years, there are STILL some people who haven't come around to DSO but enjoy Ratdog, Phil & Friends, etc. It is what it is. Some of my best friends, with excellent taste in music, just don't "get" artists like Bob Dylan and The Beatles. It's all context, I guess, and I can't blame Blair for saying he didn't "get" DSO the one time he saw them.

I'm not the best person to carry on that part of the conversation, because I'm biased towards DSO. I never got to see Jerry or the Good Ol', so for the longest time DSO was the closest thing to the Grateful Dead I could ever get. After an overwhelming first show (I didn't know 75% of the songs, nor had I ever seen crowds full of whirling dervishes in long tie-dye dresses...and those were just the guys!), I was sucked in for good.

I loved JK's reasoning behind the success of DSO, by the way: something like "they were musicians before they were Deadheads." I've heard SOME of the stories: I know Rob K. and Dino were music majors in college, but what about the rest of the band? I'd love to hear about it sometime.

Agreed, but my .02 is if you love GD music FOR THE MUSIC and don't "get" DSO or enjoy them, etc. you're in it for other reasons, or looking for something outside of the music. I saw the Good 'Ol 50-60 times and if (for example), instead of the cool folks who currently make up DSO, the band was made up of,.. say... 7 circus monkeys that played GD music as well as DSO currently does, I'd be in love with 7 circus monkeys. Hell, I spend well over half the show with my eyes closed anyway, so it's really only a blessing and a bonus that instead of 7 circus monkeys we engage with 7 awesome musicians who happen to be pretty cool folks to boot.

There are plenty of GD cover bands on archive.org. Go give some of them a listen and then compare. That's why the name cover band doesn't fit here - these guys are all lifelong musicians.

[Guest Rob Eaton]

actually I was a dead head first and then became a musician because of that love.... DSO will be around for years to come hopefully one day we will move past having to talk about JK and talk about the music since that's why we are all here to begin with. JK has chosen his own path and we are happy for him, we are on our path and happier then we've ever been, so it's a win for everybody... Learn from the past and always move forward.... We sure are!

[SeanAY]

Rob, it was never my intention to offend you or any of the other band members with the post/discussion. Really it wasn't. I'm sorry.

[gr8fulpair]

Rob, it was never my intention to offend you or any of the other band members with the post/discussion. Really it wasn't. I'm sorry.

sfagan09, I would never speak for Rob, but I didn't read anything into his post that seemed like he was offended. I think the fact that some people can be into the GD and not be into DSO is an interesting topic.. peace.

And completely agree with Rob that the band seems happier than ever cause they sure are playing with that degree of energy!!

[Guest Rob Eaton]

not offended in the least and don't know how you my comments can be taken as such..... Oh well....

[SeanAY]

Now I'm sorry for being sorry! I feel like the more I post here, the more inane my comments become, especially in retrospect. I guess I keep expecting some sort of backlash, but I should know better...the community here is a solid one.

I'm a dumbass haha.

[Rusty the Scoob]

I thought it was a great interview, very interesting!

actually I was a dead head first and then became a musician because of that love....

I thought that was an interesting comment. I defintely took the Musican>Deadhead route and am just now getting into playing the Dead after years of jazz, country, classical, rock, you name it, although the Dead were always very high up on my list of what I listened to for fun. I think my previous experiences helped speed up the process of learning the music but I find myself struggling to break some habits and tendencies that sound un-Phil-like.

Anyway, it was great to read. I want to know everything about how any of you DSO/Further/Ratdog members got to the level that you're at!

[VincentPuleo]

I've been waiting to for this interview... loved reading John's insight into learning the music (would love to read the rest of DSO's answers to the same questions)..

Not to beam, but I have posted here a few times in the midst of the recent change that DSO is not yappin' about the change, going in circles, as everyone was... they are happy for their friend and are instead enjoying the new path DSO has taken. I'm glad Rob posted that to so everyone really knows it's all good.

It also amazes me that deadheads make a simple thing as DSO so complicated... after my first show was overwhelmed with the amazing-ness in what DSO was doing... I cannot understand how DSO has left people who's lives have been enriched by Grateful Dead music with a "cold feeling"... if really want to see something, see into it directly...

[comesatime]

I've been waiting to for this interview... loved reading John's insight into learning the music (would love to read the rest of DSO's answers to the same questions)..

Not to beam, but I have posted here a few times in the midst of the recent change that DSO is not yappin' about the change, going in circles, as everyone was... they are happy for their friend and are instead enjoying the new path DSO has taken. I'm glad Rob posted that to so everyone really knows it's all good.

It also amazes me that deadheads make a simple thing as DSO so complicated... after my first show was overwhelmed with the amazing-ness in what DSO was doing... I cannot understand how DSO has left people who's lives have been enriched by Grateful Dead music with a "cold feeling"... if really want to see something, see into it directly...

Hey Vince , have you seen Furthur yet and how did you like the Montclair DSO show ???

[gr8fulpair]

Now I'm sorry for being sorry! I feel like the more I post here, the more inane my comments become, especially in retrospect. I guess I keep expecting some sort of backlash, but I should know better...the community here is a solid one.

I'm a dumbass haha.

If you're willing to eat a slice of humble pie from time to time, you will be viewed as genuine and well respected around here. We have ALL struggled to accurately relay our opinions with a keyboard at some time - it's all in how you respond to the feedback.

That was a big bite of pie there and a little funny too. Have a grate weekend!!

[neutrino]

Excellent and insightful interview. It was very interesting hearing John's musical history and how he ended up where he is. I was not previously familar with his musical path. There were a few questions not asked that I would have been interested to hear. One might have been how John feels about not singing many of the Garcia songs he is now so used to doing the vocals on? However, this interview answers one issue that some have questioned (myself included) about whether John is really completely satisfied with his new job. Sounds like he most definitely is.

I did get a chuckle out of the question that Phil and Bob have asked JK:

[August West]

not offended in the least and don't know how you my comments can be taken as such..... Oh well....

Can't win for tryin.....Oh well.

[comesatime]

I thought it was a good interview on JK's part , but this BJ quote really turned me off " I only saw DSO one time a couple of years ago and something about the experience left me cold." ....... my first experience with DSO recharged my batteries and left me wanting more , my jaw is still back at the Count Basie theater bouncing off the floor over that show ...

[Rusty the Scoob]

One might have been how John feels about not singing many of the Garcia songs he is now so used to doing the vocals on?

There's no way he could answer that question honestly... Except to say that he's just happy to be playing with Phil and Bobby.

I did get a chuckle out of the question that Phil and Bob have asked JK:

[neutrino]

I thought it was a good interview on JK's part , but this BJ quote really turned me off " I only saw DSO one time a couple of years ago and something about the experience left me cold." ....... my first experience with DSO recharged my batteries and left me wanting more , my jaw is still back at the Count Basie theater bouncing off the floor over that show ...

As with every great musical solo artist or band, some nights just don't work. It is quite possible that Jackson caught DSO on one of their off nights. It is inconceivable that someone who loves GD music the way he does would not be blown away with some of the DSO shows I have attended. Regarding Furthur, I have really enjoyed some of the shows I've seen, but have left others completely disappointed. To take the most recent example, I attended the Tuesday and Thursday rehearsals in San Rafael. The Tuesday show left me rather uninspired and I was surprised to find myself actually bored at times. Hard to believe I could be within 15 feet of this band in a small room, and find myself looking at my watch. Thursday was a completely different story. It was a spectacular single-set rehearsal that completely blew me away for a few wonderful hours. However, I still have to say that at their best, Furthur has not yet delivered a show that stacks up with the best DSO shows I've had the pleasure of attending. I strongly suspect Blair Jackson would agree if he had seen DSO more than once.

[comesatime]

I think BJ is writing for the eyes of Bobby and Phil and that's OK , he knows were his bread is buttered , and I'm happy he was kind to JK and gave him the opportunity to be interviewed ...

[chuckvegas]

"It is quite possible that Jackson caught DSO on one of their off nights."

I've yet to see one of those. I should get out more...

[comesatime]

Unfortunately I'm a newcomer to DSO and have only 39 shows under my belt , I truly wish I had gotten on the bus much sooner ... The Montclair show would have been my 40th celebration , unfortunately circumstances at home caused me to miss this one and I'm not sorry because family comes first ... but what I'm getting at is that I don't recall a single DSO show being less than stellar and some were above ... I'm not not the type person to hold back and would call a bad show if I saw one ... I have a fair amount of the good ol GD under my belt , 15 years worth of touring around the country with them , I don't feel that makes me a better deadhead than someone with less or even no original GD shows under their belt ... but I do find it extremely hard to see and hear that people who proclaim their love for the music of the good ol GD find fault and flaws in DSO or just boycott them for reasons they probably can't even explain or are unsure of ... BJ went to one show and it left him cold , what an ass , I went to my first show and couldn't wait to get to the next show just as I felt back in the Grateful Dead days ...

[gr8fulpair]

Unfortunately I'm a newcomer to DSO and have only 39 shows under my belt , I truly wish I had gotten on the bus much sooner ... The Montclair show would have been my 40th celebration , unfortunately circumstances at home caused me to miss this one and I'm not sorry because family comes first ... but what I'm getting at is that I don't recall a single DSO show being less than stellar and some were above ... I'm not not the type person to hold back and would call a bad show if I saw one ... I have a fair amount of the good ol GD under my belt , 15 years worth of touring around the country with them , I don't feel that makes me a better deadhead than someone with less or even no original GD shows under their belt ... but I do find it extremely hard to see and hear that people who proclaim their love for the music of the good ol GD find fault and flaws in DSO or just boycott them for reasons they probably can't even explain or are unsure of ... BJ went to one show and it left him cold , what an ass , I went to my first show and couldn't wait to get to the next show just as I felt back in the Grateful Dead days ...

+1

[neutrino]

Unfortunately I'm a newcomer to DSO and have only 39 shows under my belt , I truly wish I had gotten on the bus much sooner ... The Montclair show would have been my 40th celebration , unfortunately circumstances at home caused me to miss this one and I'm not sorry because family comes first ... but what I'm getting at is that I don't recall a single DSO show being less than stellar and some were above ... I'm not not the type person to hold back and would call a bad show if I saw one ... I have a fair amount of the good ol GD under my belt , 15 years worth of touring around the country with them , I don't feel that makes me a better deadhead than someone with less or even no original GD shows under their belt ... but I do find it extremely hard to see and hear that people who proclaim their love for the music of the good ol GD find fault and flaws in DSO or just boycott them for reasons they probably can't even explain or are unsure of ... BJ went to one show and it left him cold , what an ass , I went to my first show and couldn't wait to get to the next show just as I felt back in the Grateful Dead days ...

Part of what may make a given DSO less than stellar to me may be more the setlist than the playing itself. For example , some of the 90s setlists just don't do it for me, and I know this opinion is shared by many. However, I'm pretty sure if you asked any DSO bandmember, they would honestly tell you after a show that it just wasn't happening that night on stage and they simply were not playing their best. Every musician has some nights better than others. That's what makes it interesting--you just might hit that magic show!! Sadly, many concerts these days with other bands have the same damn setlist night-after-night, and it doesn't matter what show you see. Perhaps Blair Jackson caught one of the less than stellar nights I know I have been completely blown away by DSO on some evenings in the same way I was back in the 70s at Winterland listening to a raging GD show. I never thought this was possible after the early 90s. I still remember clearly the last time I saw DSO at the Fillmore:

Show: 1723

[SeanAY]

Well, I can't attest to what BJ meant, but it didn't sound to me like he was thinking "Oh this sucks." A lot of people made a very deep, real connection with the Grateful Dead, and many people have come to DSO and felt a rekindling for this music that they may not have felt in a long time; doesn't it stand to reason that some people just didn't have that same magical connection when they saw DSO? DSO gives the best performance of "GD-as-it-was" of anyone, and manages to provide their own feeling and intonation to the music; maybe BJ felt, at the time, that it was not the "as-it-was" experience he was seeking. Maybe he felt a band that was trying to do it "as-it-was" was "wrong," because "it" would never be the same again.

Now, I'm on board as saying that opinion is wrong; that the music DSO provides us with is within its own unique realm, with its own permutations and changes that are decidedly unique from music played before. What I'm saying is, if everyone here is saying "opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one," then why are we calling Blair Jackson an ass for his opinion? It clicks for some people, it doesn't for others. While I never personally experienced said coldness from DSO, it doesn't shock me that some could. People are different, experiences are different, and just because many of us clamored for more DSO doesn't mean that was the sole "correct" response, if we can even say a "correct" response to ANYTHING exists.

[comesatime]

Well, I can't attest to what BJ meant, but it didn't sound to me like he was thinking "Oh this sucks." A lot of people made a very deep, real connection with the Grateful Dead, and many people have come to DSO and felt a rekindling for this music that they may not have felt in a long time; doesn't it stand to reason that some people just didn't have that same magical connection when they saw DSO? DSO gives the best performance of "GD-as-it-was" of anyone, and manages to provide their own feeling and intonation to the music; maybe BJ felt, at the time, that it was not the "as-it-was" experience he was seeking. Maybe he felt a band that was trying to do it "as-it-was" was "wrong," because "it" would never be the same again.

Now, I'm on board as saying that opinion is wrong; that the music DSO provides us with is within its own unique realm, with its own permutations and changes that are decidedly unique from music played before. What I'm saying is, if everyone here is saying "opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one," then why are we calling Blair Jackson an ass for his opinion? It clicks for some people, it doesn't for others. While I never personally experienced said coldness from DSO, it doesn't shock me that some could. People are different, experiences are different, and just because many of us clamored for more DSO doesn't mean that was the sole "correct" response, if we can even say a "correct" response to ANYTHING exists.

it's only a message board my friend ... enjoy your summer and any shows you have coming up ... no need to discuss our or my opinion of Blair Jackson ...