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Rob Barraco Thread


Dr. Barry

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So...

 

How to start a thread like this? 

 

Some platitudes and Dead quotes? No.

 

Shameless idol worship? Nah.

 

Superlatives and toady bootlicking? Not today.

 

How about some long held and some recent impressions...

 

Long held:

 

Obviously Rob is a guy of deep experience in Deadlosophy. Zen Tricksters, The Q, Phil and Friends, The Other Ones, and of course, DSO. If you have had the chance to meet him you already know that he is a genuinely nice, really humble, grounded person. Easy to talk with. Interested and interesting. Real.

 

His chops at the keyboard and organ are huge. His span of Pigpen, Keith and Brent make any DSO show truly thrilling. We take that for granted, but think about it. Three such vastly different styles, three such vastly different eras of the Dead, all rendered in what feels effortless night after night. Pretty special. We are lucky. But the vocals are like icing on a cake. Never saw a Pigpen show? Not many of us have. This as as close as you will get. It takes BIG (fill in the blank...) to take on that slot. Doing his own version of a Pigpen rap, you better get "your hands outta yo pocket", and the band better "wait a minute" cause there is a real boss on stage. I am just waiting for him to call out some poor guy in the audience someday and shame him into introducing himself to a girl, lest he wake up with "Woodrow Wilson and a box of Kleenex"... And then being able to flip the next night into Brent mode with that Hammond that just enters the brain like a guided missile leaving eyes wide open even if closed. And of course that voice.

 

Recent:

 

Being lucky enough to have seen New Haven and Albany where Rob played bass guitar, I need to say "wow". That's actually what motivated me to write this post. This is a report from the field, and not many have seen Barraco this way. Going in I was excited. Of course I was. A real novelty. A special treat for sure. And I need to mention that Chimenti is (fill in the expletive of choice) awesome! Hearing him be "himself", away from the big bands and roleplaying he shines so bright. But that is a totally different subject.

 

Rob picked up Skip's four string and from the beginning to end of both nights he owned his role. Not a stand in. Not "just" good enough. Not a novelty item. Believe it, he is a real bass player. Very real. Sweet Annamarie noticed right away he held his guitar and moved with authority. And he looked like he was loving it. And the band looked like they were loving it too. And he was generous onstage. Clearly interacting with Dino and Koritz as his new partners it felt as if they had been doing it forever. Also nice was his interaction with Chimenti. Chimenti of course had his many solo opportunities and a unique style. It often felt to me like a purposely off the beat juxtaposition that was just perfect. When it really felt over the top Barraco seemed to feel it too (even though I know what we hear on our side of the rail is often different from what the band hears on the stage) and he would step over and smile and jam with him. There was a lot of that, and it was great. And it felt generous too. I remember thinking how big it was to be able to have someone as talented as Chimenti sitting at "your" spot and rocking it big time and greet it with a smile. That's the real Rob Barraco.

 

And as far as the actual playing goes I will say this; all the "bombs" were there. The venues shook and vibrated. But that really has never been my measure of the best role of the bass guitar while hearing this music. What really moved me was that he played a "lead" bass. Not just taking up the bottom or providing a frame for the band to follow, even though he did that too. He was jamming it out with the band as an equal. It was something special to hear.

 

Now all that being said, selfishly I want Rob back on his bench. He certainly can pick up that bass from time to time and if you are lucky to be there, you are really lucky. But on his bench he gets to play and sing. He gets to take us all through every era of the Grateful Dead, and I'm more than OK with that. Not to mention that there is this other guy out there who (fill in your expletive) rocks the bass like a maniac.

 

So there you have it. And he likes red wine, so if you have that really good bottle collecting dust on the shelf...

 

Thank you Rob Barraco!

 

Dr. B B)

 

 

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Serve Rob a good pinot or chardonnay from Sonoma, or a cabernet from Napa, and he'll be a happy man. 

 

Make it a Rochioli or a Kistler and you'll really light him up.  In addition to his musical chops, the man has some good taste buds!

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Go ahead- spring for the Brunello! He is a gem and worth it. Want to keep it American- Archery Summit will do just fine.

A REAL, NICE guy with amazing chops and smile to go with it. The happiest musician I have ever seen.

Cheers! I have said it before and will say it again. Thanks Rob

(And Dr B for the opportunity to express our thanksgiving)

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red wine never collects dust on my shelf...

Battles and James doesn't age well so smart choice :P. I was gonna throw that one at any but John A so it wasn't personal. If it's not a 5 figure wine, his palate will reject it.

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Saw Rob (and Jeff) with Zen Tricksters at Wetlands many times many years ago.

 

He also played solo acoustic "Katie Mae" at DSO show in Kalamazoo a few years back I was privileged to witness.

 

So so happy he became the keys after Scott L., my first DSO friend.

 

He still owes me for manly favor I did him in Buffalo lol... I always remind him just in case I need to get into sold out show.

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When I first saw Dso I did not play keyboards. At all. I've always been drawn to them and love the piano/organ solos.

After seeing Rob with DSO one time I knew I wanted to play. Took me awhile to get going but here I am today, living out my dreams and playing in a band. I have infinitely more to learn and in this case the student may never surpass the teacher but, godamn, I love this!

Thanks Rob.

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Bwahahaha I JUST noticed this thread!!!!!!! And yes- I agree- y'all are ass kissers...... but everyone needs a bottle of red wine every now and again!!! And besides- I know u, Masons Child, and you love the way he plays and talk about it just as much as we do!!!! Hehehe don't front lmao we all go dance and know that this music is on constant buzz around our brains and TELL me that when you hear Dead keys in your head it isn't RB that you hear? What you go to live tends to determine what's in the head, so I'm curious :) I always hear DSO in my head and it's funny I hear the diff when it's GD lmao

But there are no words to describe the only person that can make the sound of actual rainbow unicorns prancing and galloping through my skull and that is the world class musician that stole my face from the first night I saw him play....... no words.

That's why I just go DANCE!!!!!!!!!! Best way to show how I feel :) can't wait to get back.

Thanks for starting this thread- I've seen this guy change lives and have heard soooo many stories standing in front of him all the time and talking about DSO everywhere I go about how amazing he is as a musician and a teacher and has helped so many just by playing music. That's so cool! Good job!

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