Acoustic Birchmere 5.16.12

[Supplicated Velvet Thunder]

Race is on

Dire wolf

Oh boy

Run for the roses

Sing your blues away

El paso

Sodom n gomorrah

Strange man

Monkey n the engineer

Thrill is gone

Blk throated wind

Midnight moonlight

Box of rain

On the rd again

How long blues

Train

Yes she do

Little Suzie

Chimes of freedom

Swing low

We left early for personal reasons and my pen was screwing up all second set but that's what my paper said...... I sobbed when the opened 2nd set w Box and it made me wanna just get to my family..... See u guys tomorrow w a much brighter face...... Music so good but my heart too sad tonight

[rbwalker]

Terrific venue + great acoustics + an acoustic set = everybody talking. I feel like a magnet for people who want to get up front and then yammer at top volume to their friends. Even during quiet tunes (Gomorrah) or tunes where the finger-picking is intricate and you can actually hear it (Thrill Is Gone), the talking kept up. So frustrating. I had to ask several folks to take it easy on the talking (at top volume) while the band was playing. I keep thinking to myself, "Just ignore it, have a good time anyway," but somehow the constant conversation about such stupid stuff (How was traffic? Is Suzie here, she said she would be but I havent' seen her? When was the last time someone heard El Paso? Was it a sick version?. And just on and on and on) just kills the mood for me.

I don't want to be the silence police or "harsh anyone's mellow, man," but I'm also not going to "just hang loose and chill out, brother" while you jibber-jabber with your pal for 2.5 minutes straight (and at top volume, natch, so you can be heard over the music that's going on around you). There was (and almost always is) plenty of open bar space in the back where you can talk to your heart's content, so go do it there. Why you would waste time coming up front only to not pay attention is really beyond me.

I totally get the Bobby Weir TRI model. Terrific sound and awesome camera angles allow you to get close to the band and watch them work in the comfort of your own home. The smoking policy is loosely enforced, beers are cheap, never a line at the john, and nobody distracts from the music but you.

Maybe I'm just getting old, but goddman, people, shut up while the bad is playing.

[Mango]

hey alexandria, how did y'all like the show?? oh wait, you were talking the whole time....

and it's funny because rob eaton prefaced the show by saying, 'it's acoustic night so shut the fuck up'....they didn't listen.

hoping for a better crowd tonight in Chesterfield:)

[Rbarracoph]

Two things, this has been going on since the dawn of music. We don't want to pull the Chris Robinson thing and stop in the middle of a performance to reprimand(Keith Jarrett, as well) the audience. Yes it is disrespectful to everyone, but nothing we can do will stop it. Second, as I have stated before if the future of live music is TRI then I retire. Love Weir, and I love what he does but nothing takes the place of the live experience_____ NOTHING!!!!! IMHO

RB

[rbwalker]

Thanks for the reply, Rob. You've obviously heard these complaints before! Don't mean to tread over the same old ground...

I get it that neither I (nor the artists nor the venue) can control for everything and that for it to be live, there are going to be some warts, but I thought the band was cooking last night, was excited to be able to see it all happening right up close, and then to get pulled out of it with the conversation (and I'm not going after the "Woo-hoos!!!! Love you guys!!! Yeah!!! Play them keys, Rob!!!" shout-outs and general enthusiasm) was a bummer.

Insofar as more reviews and less bitchery goes:

Great, great night for some acoustic tunes. Beautiful evening in Virginia and one of the best venues around, in my view (too bad they can't you have all on the "dinner theater" side of the house, but I imagine that would be total mayhem with many waitresses put down for the count by the spinners!). I liked the new "Stageshow" set up at the Birchmere and didn't feel it was cramped or anything like that.

Highlights for me included:

• Lisa singing like her life depended on it on "Strange Man," this one almost always gives her a great way to show off her vocal power;
  
• Rob B.'s description of playing Italian love songs on the organ at the request/behest of his dad. Where are the 8MM home movies?!?;
  
• A terrific rendition of "Black-Throated Wind" with Rob E., in particular, giving it some really crispy licks;
  
• "Thrill Is Gone". Wow! The rest of the band laid down a really nice, jazzy space and Jeff just ran with it. His picking is terrific and I loved being to be "up close and personal" to watch him work his magic;
  
• "Midnight Moonlight" and Jeff's lead playing was just superb. It's great for you to give such a terrific workout to this number in the acoustic setting;
  
• "How Long Blues" was a great little treat that I hadn't heard in forever. I thought this one sounded better for being a little bit ragged;
  
• "Chimes of Freedom" is a really tough Dylan number to carry off. Thought Lisa did a terrific job with the lyrics and I liked that the band played it with a lot more edge than The Byrds version, which to me is rather sterile;
  
• "Unbroken Chain --> Weather Report Suite --> Let It Grow". I moved to the back, where the sound was really good and loved being able to focus a bit more on the intricacies of what this band was achieving acoustically. Again, the ability to jam it out creatively, without sounding repetitive, while on acoustic instruments, was just terrific. The dancers back there were going to town and this part of the set caused a lot of big smiles to break out.
  

Really a treat to see DSO in the acoustic format. It adds a real dimension to what they bring to the table when plugged in. Loved watching the interplay between the drummer (great percussion fills from Mr. Koritz, especially on "Wake Up, Little Suzie"), as well as some good banter between Rob, Jeff, and Mr. Barraco (especially on a missed cue or two, that led only to wide smiles by the culprits).

Everyone in the band seemed in good spirits and I appreciate the sense of community and immediacy created by everyone on stage. The acoustic stuff really does mean a lot to us fans and I hope you all know how much it does my heart (and mind) good to see some musical excellence without the electric filter.

Hope you'll be back in town again soon and this venue and show were a real terrific treat, offering up a truly different experience from the recent 9:30 Club madness

[Herdygerdy]

Ok... so the show was incredible... but really people... SHUT THE FUCK UP WHEN THE MUSIC IS PLAYING!!! I mean, christ almighty... I bounced around the entire place trying to find somewhere where the people were there for the music, but I couldn't find ANYWHERE in that fucking place where no one was in full loud conversation! I have NEVER been to a show, anywhere, where the ENTIRE crowd was so disrespectful with their mouths when the music was playing.. The food there was ok I guess, but for the prices they were charging, it was fucking horrible! That place is so OVERPRICED with EVERYTHING there!! Ok, enough bitching... wait... no.... SHUT THE FUCK UP PEOPLE WHEN THE MUSIC IS PLAYING!!! ok... better now... no wait.... SHUT UP!!!.... ok... now...

Last time DSO played the Birchmere was for their 7th anniversary... They did 3 acoustic shows, and I had a blast back then too... I miss you Scotty!! I remember back then that I had met alot of my now DSO family, when we were such a small group. 8 years has seen alot of changes since then... We lost Scott, JK has since gone with Jill...er... I mean Phil, and I now have ALOT more DSO family then I did back then. I love you people from the bottom of my heart, and my life would not be as good now if it wasn't for all of you...

So, the show was great, alot of musical treats for my ears!! LOVED the Mother McCrees Uptown Jug Champions tune, the Chimes of Freedom was AWESOME, and Lisa Mackey, you are a goddess!! That Strange Man was FUCKING KILLER!! Midnight Moonlight was incredible!! Jeff was picking that acoustic guitar like it was no ones business... I thought a few times that those strings would pop off the fret board the way he was going at it... All around, great song selection, and great music... First time I got to hear DSO with their "new" soundboard, and WOW, did it make a difference!! You thought DSO channeled The Grateful Dead before? Now, it's spot on!! They have finally captured the SOUND that The Grateful Dead had... That sound took me back to 94 and 95 when I caught my Dead shows..

Anywho, thanks a billion for everything!! I love you all, and now I'm ready for Mighty High!!

BRING IT ON!!

[Dancer'sChoice]

The sad thing is, the people who go to an acoustic show to socialize (at the top of their lungs) with their friends are not looking at this board, and likely have no idea how rude they are. That said, OMG, I wish I could have made this show. The setlist is amazing, and I know how good this band sounds acoustic. Did anyone see a taper, by chance?

[fplato]

Two things, this has been going on since the dawn of music. We don't want to pull the Chris Robinson thing and stop in the middle of a performance to reprimand(Keith Jarrett, as well) the audience. Yes it is disrespectful to everyone, but nothing we can do will stop it. Second, as I have stated before if the future of live music is TRI then I retire. Love Weir, and I love what he does but nothing takes the place of the live experience_____ NOTHING!!!!! IMHO

RB

Thanks for a great show last night. You all always bring a ton of awesomeness and integrity and love to this music we all hold so dear.

Have discussed the talking problem with a lot of folks and how the situation might be improved upon. There's a definite difference between enthusiam, whoo hoos, singing along, and just the full on talking through entire songs or shows. It also seems worse at acoustic shows (look at reviews of Weir's recent solo run for example), as if 1/2 the audience takes the band for background accompaniment to their own private soliloquy.

Is there a way to intervene without reprimanding the audience, like a reminder at the beginning of each set? Some pointed but gentle flyers posted strategically around the venue? I.e., "Thanks for coming. Out of respect for other concert goers, while the band is playing please move your conversations to the bar/back/hallway so that we can all enjoy the music. Thanks for your support." Or, stickers and shirts, "SHHH. Tha band is playing. Thanks!" It seems to me that we need to creat a culture of respectful concert going. This takes time and repetition. I.e., the rurn off your cellphone reminder at the beginning of movies & concerts. It's like the partying creates a license to ignore that other folks come for the music first. I'm not trying to harsh anyone's party, just asking them to take it to the appropriate place in the venue. The back, the bar, the halls, etc. I don't want to be the how to enjoy the concert fascist, but I think back to efforts to teach younger heads not to trash the lot, crash gates, pee on peoples' lawns, etc. I think positive ownership/mentoring of the scene can be a good thing. I know folks that stay home now because of the talkers. Sad.

I agree Rob, live music is where it's at. But I also agree with the poster, it's increasingly hard to ignore someone talking through an an entire show and I often spend half the show frustrated. Concert tickets cost hard earned money, and I'm almost more inclined to buy a CD or a Tri broadcast where I know that I can really focus on the music and not be so bummed by the chatter. I wouldn't tolerate someone talking through a movie or classical show, why do I need to listen to goofball to my left for the entirety of Thrill is Gone? Again, this is not about enthusistic fans cheering for the music, this is about folks that are talking for the ENTIRE song or show.

Just some thoughts. Thanks again!

[chuckvegas]

Never ceases to amaze me that people think a show, any show, is an appropriate place to have what seems like a 5th anniversary high school reunion at full volume. I'd actually rather be surrounded by folks holding a sing-along. At least it shows they are aware that there are folks on stage performing music.

I'm excited for tomorrow!

[Tea]

Is there a way to intervene without reprimanding the audience, like a reminder at the beginning of each set? Some pointed but gentle flyers posted strategically around the venue? I.e., "Thanks for coming. Out of respect for other concert goers, while the band is playing please move your conversations to the bar/back/hallway so that we can all enjoy the music. Thanks for your support." Or, stickers and shirts, "SHHH. Tha band is playing. Thanks!"

How about DSO tie-dyes worn by the band that read:

My ultimate pet-peeve.

[acududeman]

Thanks for a great show last night. You all always bring a ton of awesomeness and integrity and love to this music we all hold so dear.

Have discussed the talking problem with a lot of folks and how the situation might be improved upon. There's a definite difference between enthusiam, whoo hoos, singing along, and just the full on talking through entire songs or shows. It also seems worse at acoustic shows (look at reviews of Weir's recent solo run for example), as if 1/2 the audience takes the band for background accompaniment to their own private soliloquy.

Is there a way to intervene without reprimanding the audience, like a reminder at the beginning of each set? Some pointed but gentle flyers posted strategically around the venue? I.e., "Thanks for coming. Out of respect for other concert goers, while the band is playing please move your conversations to the bar/back/hallway so that we can all enjoy the music. Thanks for your support." Or, stickers and shirts, "SHHH. Tha band is playing. Thanks!" It seems to me that we need to creat a culture of respectful concert going. This takes time and repetition. I.e., the rurn off your cellphone reminder at the beginning of movies & concerts. It's like the partying creates a license to ignore that other folks come for the music first. I'm not trying to harsh anyone's party, just asking them to take it to the appropriate place in the venue. The back, the bar, the halls, etc. I don't want to be the how to enjoy the concert fascist, but I think back to efforts to teach younger heads not to trash the lot, crash gates, pee on peoples' lawns, etc. I think positive ownership/mentoring of the scene can be a good thing. I know folks that stay home now because of the talkers. Sad.

I agree Rob, live music is where it's at. But I also agree with the poster, it's increasingly hard to ignore someone talking through an an entire show and I often spend half the show frustrated. Concert tickets cost hard earned money, and I'm almost more inclined to buy a CD or a Tri broadcast where I know that I can really focus on the music and not be so bummed by the chatter. I wouldn't tolerate someone talking through a movie or classical show, why do I need to listen to goofball to my left for the entirety of Thrill is Gone? Again, this is not about enthusistic fans cheering for the music, this is about folks that are talking for the ENTIRE song or show.

Just some thoughts. Thanks again!

I've increasingly become less tolerant of the hassles involved with going to hear live music. If I still drank alcohol, half this shit probably would not bother me since I'd be half numb. But I find myself less and less willing to endure obnoxious drunks and crushing crowds in these venues. Yes, and the talkers......I've lately been spending my music $ on a few of the Europe '72 CD's and enjoying the music in the comfort of my home or car.

Glad to hear that DSO is keeping up their superlative work!

[rbwalker]

Wanted to say thanks for the replies. It's gratifying to know I'm not (a) completely oversensitive to talking while live music is playing; ( totally insane for it bothering me; or © off the rails in terms of expectations at a concert. The movie/classical music performance analogy is a good one.

I tend to agree with acududeman on his lack of tolerance for venue-related hassles. Birchmere was not a crushing crowd and I only had run-ins with a few isolated really wasted (on drink) people. That was refreshing. But still, there was enough booze flowing to transport a large segment of the audience to another time's forgotten space, where a five-year reunion (to use chuckvegas' examples) is happening for an entire show.

To be honest, I think it's largely alcohol driven. I went to see Further's West Coast NYE run this past December. A huge proportion of the audience was stoned to the bejesus belt (and sharing with everyone else!!), but the vast majority were grooving along, there was almost 0 aggression/hassles, and nearly everyone was quiet and respectful while the band played. Not to say there wasn't woo-hooing, singing along, hollers of joy, and the like, but no ongoing conversations. They waited for extended talk until breaks in the music. It was fabulous.

Contrast that to Further in Philadelphia or Coney Island last year. A never-ending horde of big, sweaty drunks who were there to "party, brah" and that's really it. Pushing and shoving in the crowd, girls being groped and "danced on" by erstwhile lotharios, and all this chitter-chatter, chitter-chatter, chitter-chatter 'bout shmata, shmata, shmata (I can't give it away on Seventh Avenue). Just a more tense vibe overall here on the East Coast.

As they say, "It's one in ten-thousand just come for the show."

Anyway, appreciated the frank exchange of views, particularly from the man at the keys.

[Evangeline]

I agree with you, rbwalker, alcohol is definitely the major factor here. When I listened to some of the Birchmere youtubes, I couldn't believe how loud the audience was! It is a little unusual with an acoustic show, but alas, there is really nothing you can do. Last Saturday at the Paramount show in Huntington, NY, the audience was also in their cups and having a total ball and also some very loud discussions. I am always up front for the shows I go to, so the noise is usually not that much of a factor for me as it is behind me, unless people are screaming over the music right next to me, which was the case last Saturday. I bit my tongue until the Stella and then very, very politely and softly and with a big friendly smile on my face went "Shhhh, please" to the people next to me as they continued to scream to each other. It quieted them a little, but not alltogether. Unfortunately it can be a slippery slope when folks are drinking because I never want to get them angry--that would only make things worse.

[Rbarracoph]

I agree with you, rbwalker, alcohol is definitely the major factor here. When I listened to some of the Birchmere youtubes, I couldn't believe how loud the audience was! It is a little unusual with an acoustic show, but alas, there is really nothing you can do. Last Saturday at the Paramount show in Huntington, NY, the audience was also in their cups and having a total ball and also some very loud discussions. I am always up front for the shows I go to, so the noise is usually not that much of a factor for me as it is behind me, unless people are screaming over the music right next to me, which was the case last Saturday. I bit my tongue until the Stella and then very, very politely and softly and with a big friendly smile on my face went "Shhhh, please" to the people next to me as they continued to scream to each other. It quieted them a little, but not alltogether. Unfortunately it can be a slippery slope when folks are drinking because I never want to get them angry--that would only make things worse.

It all boils down to respect, not only for the music, but each other. Believe me, I would rather play venues where, like rbwalker said, people waited for breaks in the music to chit chat, but at the level we play that is not generally the case. Thinks have been picking up for us this past year and we are starting to have better music venue options, but, at the end of the day we have to make our nut in order for us to keep this insane machine on the road which forces us to play in not so ideal venues.

Everyone just needs to do what the bible says(not that I'm a bible toting dude or anything) do unto others!!!!!!!!!!! one of these days Alice, one of these days.........:-) Much love to you all for your support and allowing us to be part of your lives. RB

[John A]

All this talk of crowd vibes at venues, and specifically of those who won't shut up, brings to the light the dichotomy that always existed between East and West Coast Dead shows. Evidence suggests that the "East coast vibe" brought something extra out in the band and that the music was often better for it. That said, when I moved to California right after Oxford Plains '88 I never saw another show East of Vegas. I just had no need for the East Coast energy.

Come to think of it, an acoustic set in San Francisco would make lots of sense. (Hint, hint...)

[rbwalker]

Agree 100% with Mr. B regarding respect for the music. I certainly cop to taking it a lot more seriously than many others, at least insofar as having respect for working artists goes.

I think DSO is playing at a very high level and some really great venues. I would contrast the show the other night, for example, with 2009 NYE at Ram's Head. That was a terrific acoustic set and my recollection is that the audience was pretty darn respectful -- which is even more amazing in light of the New Year's crowd's typical raucousness. I know it can be done and I'm going to keep clinging to the hope it will happen again!!

I've had so much fun at DSO shows and a huge part of that is the live nature of it, which RB commented on above. It's been a really important part of my life and I'm not about to quit going to shows altogether for any reason, much less that some knuckleheads are missing something so amazing happening right in front of them (which is the truly tragic part, really).

To stand in the middle of that musical hurricane and still not be able to let go of your own ego long enough to keep quiet and experience it blows me away. Throwing the chance at that feeling -- of being swept up in something larger than you, of taking part in something beautiful and ephemeral, and of witnessing musicians allowing you to bear witness to the joy and funk and humor and lust (but also the sadness and despair and questioning) of their lives which can only be expressed on stage and through an instrument -- just to maintain a constant running commentary, that is sad indeed.

Then again, I probably take it too seriously.

[Tea]

Agree 100% with Mr. B regarding respect for the music. I certainly cop to taking it a lot more seriously than many others, at least insofar as having respect for working artists goes.

I think DSO is playing at a very high level and some really great venues. I would contrast the show the other night, for example, with 2009 NYE at Ram's Head. That was a terrific acoustic set and my recollection is that the audience was pretty darn respectful -- which is even more amazing in light of the New Year's crowd's typical raucousness. I know it can be done and I'm going to keep clinging to the hope it will happen again!!

I've had so much fun at DSO shows and a huge part of that is the live nature of it, which RB commented on above. It's been a really important part of my life and I'm not about to quit going to shows altogether for any reason, much less that some knuckleheads are missing something so amazing happening right in front of them (which is the truly tragic part, really).

To stand in the middle of that musical hurricane and still not be able to let go of your own ego long enough to keep quiet and experience it blows me away. Throwing the chance at that feeling -- of being swept up in something larger than you, of taking part in something beautiful and ephemeral, and of witnessing musicians allowing you to bear witness to the joy and funk and humor and lust (but also the sadness and despair and questioning) of their lives which can only be expressed on stage and through an instrument -- just to maintain a constant running commentary, that is sad indeed.

Then again, I probably take it too seriously.

Great insight all the way around > Love your points!

I think some of this issue is a East vs. West coast sensability but I also think booze is a huge part of the issue as well. While the oversold conditions and LOUD drunk talking will not keep me from seeing DSO, it has had an effect on where I will see them.

I have always had a good time at The Birchmere but I simply cannot undestate how freaking ridiculous the crowd was on Wednesday. Maybe it was because the tones of an acoustic show lend themselves terribly to drunken conversations when compared to an electric show. I get that. BUT, It was everywhere, it was non-stop, and it sucked a big chunk of beauty right out of the of the music. I have a pretty high tolerance for distraction because I have no choice. It just seems to have gone to an even higher level.

RB is right, there is not a whole lot that can be done. The only things I can think of to do is:

Be respectful but firm with the other concert-goers

Try to get to the rail

The like-minded group together

The occasional announcement from the band

Shout-out to the Mighty-High attendees. Have a freakin blast > i'm off the road until August or unless/until I am kidnapped!

[TheOtherChosenOne]

AM BORROWING THIS ACCOUNT TO POST THIS, OKAY? IS NOT A RELATIVE ACCOUNT. Am a friend of the beautiful person that owns it only. I DO NOT HAVE MY OWN. THE PERSON WHO HAS THIS ACCOUNT DID TAPE AND HAS POSTED this show. Get through the first minute of talking and you're home-free. AGAIN DO NOT HOLLER AT THE ACCOUNT HOLDER. WE ARE NOT RELATED AND THEY ARE A BODHISATTVA WHEREAS I AM A NOBODY.

HOLA TO EVERYONE FROM A NOBODY.

I started seeing the Dead and Jerry in Fall of 1990.... so way behind a lot of you. Made very good connects early on including one I regularly see at all DSO shows that apparently does not remember me. yeah! The rest of all of you are new to me. Was backstage and side stage some nights and am quite seriously still in shock and wondering what the F to do with my life without him here. Got handed some loveliest lovelies to watch and hear and roll around in, and am happy to stay home most of the time, but do wonder out time to time and have supported DSO a little bit in the last decade and more. First time I saw DSO was in Boulder at a street festival maybe 3 years after Jerry had died... maybe not that long after.

So "Supplicated Velvet Thunder" sounds like a night for you.... I myself was "Supplicated by 2700Velvet Thunders" this night as is normal for me but 90% of the rest of you would be "Tore Up".... pointing out only to draw a line in the sand on replies

Yeah the crowd is loud and not so enlightened this time. Venue is sweetly to be at. Remember DSO played 3 nights there a couple years ago and went better. Honestly, for all the talkers, this night seemed different.... the band seemed low and truly unhappy. Could not sort out the depression from the depression of mind.... maybe are encouraging the talkers by being not so friendly and indifferent.

Speakers this night, set by the band left a lot of holes in the sound... very inconsistent through the place and I never found the place to rest and really listen all that well.

Gotta say, and someone should that few if any of your talkers are actually going to read these posts so are rather preaching to the choir here, heads.

And beyond that, proved by this night IMHO, hope you all can be honest with your band when maybe some highly well-educated and conductive criticism could be helpful.

Why does the band seem out???? Technically closer but completely lacking in the energy. Is depressing. Is like hitching with someone who whines and complains and moans every step.... we all have blisters, we are all burnt and hungry so why complain? If you don't REALLY want to be there, then, don't be there. But if you want to be there, remember the original mission statement and how you got this far.

This is not the raging band of a year ago in my very humble opinion... and it was f-ing raging.

Sorry but really wanted to say that as am disappointed in myself for going on and spending $$ to get there when I knew it was heading south.

Have only seen 35 shows from April 2011-May 2012 and spent the last handful hiding out thinking maybe my bolt of inspiration was getting in the way, but had started seeing the band 15 plus years ago so have some background in both matters independently and related.

The deal is to hit festivals and big venues in the East, mountain and far-out of the way country venues in mid-west and Rockies, and solid halls and theaters in the West. This band does not play the West enough and though N. California is gorgeous and remarkable, why not take a chance and book a solid showing in SF or Oakland area? Play your acoustics there. What about something like the early 80's acoustic Warfield run? Was not there but listen a lot and am a junkie for it.

Remember Studio B recently and the banter? Or even a touch of that at Woodstock? That is your crowd being well lit. Problem is you guys aren't. Period.

I for one am tired of having to go way out in order to get to the zone lately. was bad enough when I had to pull you all in with me! You all should be pulling your load in the matter. Remember how close you were to the earliest psych-explosions once Jeff was formally in? You were closer than you think.... 1963 close and pussed out.

Sorry, but I'm better off at home watching and listening to the old days. Between the talkers (god help and love them) and the obviously well-to-do "heads" that turn a blind eye (by the way, what is your commerce ways and means.... there is nothing... I get eaten out of house and home every time I show up and intro to some new little niche of tour-doers though I know none of you and none of you know me) THIS was not a fun night.

THAT SAID, YOU PLAYED EVERYTHING I ASKED FOR Plus LOTS OF GOOD, TRUE, AND OLD STORIES THAT I LIKE..... that AWESOME "HOW LONG BLUES" Wow!!! WISH THE GOMORRAH AND JACK-A-ROE HAD TRADED SPOTS, THE MOONLIGHT WAS FINE, EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT LET IT GROW (ESPECIALLY VOCALS AND PLAYING OUT OF R EATON). BUT SERIOUSLY....."TELL IT TO ME" ENCORE AFTER RIPPLE IS Sadistically ICKY.

Please do what your mission statement states and play good old Grateful Dead shows with some original sets as treats. I don't need to go so far out and travel so wide for a cover band. I do dig the handful of acoustic shows I have seen as DSO and the Terrapin Station shows I have seen with acoustic sets in the last 18 months, please, you must know the stomping grounds now. Choose wisely, START LATER, and may I say, Eat Up! It's good for you... put some shine in your step and color in your cheeks. Nothing wrong with being good and healthy.

You guys have played great at times and generally pretty okay since New Year's, but maybe do something different for awhile. Jazz it up or something. Does the 12/20/72 Keystone mean anything to anyone in the band, still? Hint Hint. After-Its2Late-Baby,Please Dont- Expressway-Jam, Jam, Space- Georgia On My Mind- That's Alright -2nd That -Masterpiece..... and some crazy something or another related blues.....Go get that again. I'll be there with a million freaking bells on and personally take care of the talkers for you, okay? Got asked 15 times if I'd be at Mighty High....nope. Absolutely not how this is going. Sorry guys and gal... cheer up. Peace.

DO NOT SHOUT AT THE OWNER OF THIS ACCOUNT. I USED IT WITHOUT PERMISSION. THE OWNER OF THIS ACCOUNT IS AN ANGEL AND TO HOLLER AT THAT ONE WOULD BE PLAIN WRONG AS THAT ONE IS A GREAT PERSON AKIN TO A BUDDHA. I AM JUST ONE MUNDANE PERSON MISSING JERRY TERRIBLY. THAT IS ALL SO TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES OR LET IT GO.... AM JUST ONE PERSON AFTER ALL. DOUBT THE BAND WILL MISS MY TICKET SALE.

[Tea]

Check ur levels - both of u They're a little off methinks.

[Supplicated Velvet Thunder]

Obviously when a night is "off" it is REALLY FREAKIN OFF. Very sad to hear that it made someone so upset they would write all that with such a know it all and negative attitude, cause the band really seemed to make the most of a pretty awful venue as far as crowd goes..... and when it comes to THIS music the crowd has more to do with what happens than almost anything else. "Its all energy, bro." Sorry yours was so off. Ours was as well.

Pretty silly to give up hope on DSO based on an acoustic show in Alexandria (or anywhere) in VA. VA isn't exactly the most deadhead friendly place and if you had wanted to spend you money wisely and see a recreation you could have picked a show that wasn't advertised as acoustic..... and to say that they aren't sticking to the mission by not always doing recreations is a sad accusation as improvisation is the cornerstone of this music.

ANYWAYS, this show had its moments that I wanted to comment on- Gomorrah was quite beautiful and the Box took me so hard acoustic that I couldn't remember the name of Dark Hollow a song later as I have been trying to write less often and use my noggin more in hopes that some day (soon!) I can remember the whole set to write it at the end. Funny and goes to show. The rarer tunes were really fun and I had heard some of them soundchecked and was happy to get some new lessons in with the new selections. THANKS!

I prefer DSO electric. If its gonna be acoustic a nice theatre is always preferable. However, I think this band is worth seeing over and over again as often as possible because they only get one in 10,000 that leave so pissed after a show that they will never come back... the rest can't believe what they just saw and can't wait. we all have off nights but to judge this band based on that is pretty... well.... a real downer, man.

YOU would have LOVED tonight's acoustic... too bad you missed out!

[Mango]

It's really quite cowardly to come on here on someone else's name, say all this shit, and then say not to holler back. What's the matter, don't want anyone to know who you really are? If you've been to 35 shows since april 2011 then I definitely know you, in fact, i'm pretty sure that I do know exactly who you are(and not just me, I've already had one friend text me saying the same thing). so why don't you just come out once and scream it? consider the fact that consuming 2700 velvet thunders, or whatever quantity, skews your perspective(especially when you do it at every single show). You sound really spun out, maybe it's time for a break from the liquid.

I've been to way more than 35 shows since april of 11, more in the ballpark of 60 or 70. I say this not to brag but just to say that i've been around quite a bit listening to these guys and I keep a pretty straight head so I like to think that I can separate the subjective from the objective. To me this seems sadly like a case of your own head getting in between you and the music. Because, like i've said, I've been touring pretty heavily and feel that the band has continued to gel and improve and is definitely better than a year ago. Tighter, having more fun, extending jams into new territories, and expanding the song book. I spend a lot of my time and money(and energy) traveling to see this band. And I love it. If i didn't I wouldn't keep doing it. But when I'm not I spend a lot of time talking to people about my travels and about this band. I do it because I think they create incredible music and I want to share that with others that might not know. And 95% of the time they come back to me with their minds blown, when they started the conversation with "dso is still playing? i thought the jerry guy left to play with furthur...". I think that what DSO is doing is VERY important and I believe that they are doing a magnificent job of it. I don't think you really make any good points and it is sad to come on here and trash the band in such fashion. You wrote a lot but you didn't say anything. Peace.

[Rbarracoph]

Aw, here we go? I've always thought that perception of art is the most subjective of subjects. I'd like to answer a few of the points made by that poster.

First, we do not have the luxury of placing speakers. We have to live with what the venues give us. So, we do the very best we can with what we are given. Now, I don't have the perspective that y'all have out in the crowd, but, I'm here to tell you that my band mates and I never phone it in. NEVER!!

Even if any of us are feeling awful we give it 110%. That night, even though the sound on stage wasn't perfect and the talkers were blowing our minds, we played with verve, energy and joy!!!! This is what makes the world go round folks!!! RB

[topher44]

Even if any of us are feeling awful we give it 110%. That night, even though the sound on stage wasn't perfect and the talkers were blowing our minds, we played with verve, energy and joy!!!! This is what makes the world go round folks!!! RB

Talk about "Rising Above" the negative elements, Rob. You guys and gal have been able to better yourselves by doing that with grace, enthusiasm, and sheer focus on the music at hand. I can't tell you how many times I have been feeling peeved by folks around me at some shows demonstrating that they are more interested in gabbing than being there for the, uh, music, only to take a deep breath, laugh, and watch you all having the time of your lives! It's moments like those that keep me happy, even if the overall environment is challenging.

[gr8fulpair]

Aw, here we go? I've always thought that perception of art is the most subjective of subjects. I'd like to answer a few of the points made by that poster.

First, we do not have the luxury of placing speakers. We have to live with what the venues give us. So, we do the very best we can with what we are given. Now, I don't have the perspective that y'all have out in the crowd, but, I'm here to tell you that my band mates and I never phone it in. NEVER!!

Even if any of us are feeling awful we give it 110%. That night, even though the sound on stage wasn't perfect and the talkers were blowing our minds, we played with verve, energy and joy!!!! This is what makes the world go round folks!!! RB

RB, while that was very kind of you to come on here and attempt to straighten out a lost soul, it was totally unnecessary for the vast majority of us who know you 6 and crew bring it like thunder every time out!!!!

[Rbarracoph]

RB, while that was very kind of you to come on here and attempt to straighten out a lost soul, it was totally unnecessary for the vast majority of us who know you 6 and crew bring it like thunder every time out!!!!

That would be 7!! Thanks!!!