12-07-2019, 10:51 PM
(This post was last modified: 12-08-2019, 12:29 AM by Drunk Monk.)
So I wasn't planning to go to Rex this year. I noted when it was happening and promptly forgot it. Then my dear Cruzian accomplice the invisible one, hollered at me on Thurs nite, saying he'd drive and I just could not refuse. Glad I went. It was great. I luv the Mo crew, jaded sf veterans, acerbic, sarcastic, and so judgy - my peeps. Several people asked how I was doing, which caught me a little off guard. It was that psych check in, as they know I just lost Dan and Steve, both of whom were influential in the music scene. It struck me that no one has really asked about that beyond Stacy and DOOM. Work checked in a little, basically saying that I could take time, or whatever I needed, which I do appreciate, but work moves on. But that psych check was sweet - I'm heartened by their genuine concern.
We got there late due to rain traffic and procrastination. The opening act had finished and the band was just launching into American Beauty, arguably one of the finest Dead studio albums ever produced (most of their studio albums suck). I lost count of how many people were in the band - 2 drummers, base, four strings to replace Jerry (guitarists alternating with banjo, mandolin and pedal steel), violin, two keyboards, four female singers, the trio and a gospel lead. The only one I knew was Jackie Greene who started on keys.
The acapella Attics of My Life was a show stopper. The T sisters. It's one of my favorite songs and I never heard the Dead play it (they stopped and only played it once during my deadhead years and a show they did at Hampton under the Warlocks in the early 90s, or something like that).
The held off on Truckin for the surprise guest - Bobby. Even with that big ass band, Bobby's obtuse approach to Dead songs stood out. There were off key and awkwardly timed interludes, but the best parts were when the rest of the band backed off and Bobby soloed. His guitar has gotten so psychedelic, playing around the notes, implying the tune, still got it. He stayed with them for Sug Mag>SSDD and then was set break.
The band came back with Jackie Greene taking lead. They did So Many Roads, covered Sympathy for the Devil (whic I didn't think quite worked), Bobby came back out again for Loser and New Speedway, then China>Rider. E: Touch of Grey.
It was a good night, a great night - some lovely renditions. The Mo crew was welcoming and it was good to catch up. They cover my dinner ($20 cash) and catering brought us a ton of snacks - finger foods - cheeses, meats, fruit, a huge tray of marinate olives and this delicious spicy flat bread that was super addictive - plus the show gave out posters (mediocre and didn't include Bobby because he only committed to the show on Thur, like me) and a CD of 12/28/79 at Oakland, which I've only listened to the first few tracks today will doing some errands and it sounds very sweet.
Grateful. Forever Grateful.
We got there late due to rain traffic and procrastination. The opening act had finished and the band was just launching into American Beauty, arguably one of the finest Dead studio albums ever produced (most of their studio albums suck). I lost count of how many people were in the band - 2 drummers, base, four strings to replace Jerry (guitarists alternating with banjo, mandolin and pedal steel), violin, two keyboards, four female singers, the trio and a gospel lead. The only one I knew was Jackie Greene who started on keys.
The acapella Attics of My Life was a show stopper. The T sisters. It's one of my favorite songs and I never heard the Dead play it (they stopped and only played it once during my deadhead years and a show they did at Hampton under the Warlocks in the early 90s, or something like that).
The held off on Truckin for the surprise guest - Bobby. Even with that big ass band, Bobby's obtuse approach to Dead songs stood out. There were off key and awkwardly timed interludes, but the best parts were when the rest of the band backed off and Bobby soloed. His guitar has gotten so psychedelic, playing around the notes, implying the tune, still got it. He stayed with them for Sug Mag>SSDD and then was set break.
The band came back with Jackie Greene taking lead. They did So Many Roads, covered Sympathy for the Devil (whic I didn't think quite worked), Bobby came back out again for Loser and New Speedway, then China>Rider. E: Touch of Grey.
It was a good night, a great night - some lovely renditions. The Mo crew was welcoming and it was good to catch up. They cover my dinner ($20 cash) and catering brought us a ton of snacks - finger foods - cheeses, meats, fruit, a huge tray of marinate olives and this delicious spicy flat bread that was super addictive - plus the show gave out posters (mediocre and didn't include Bobby because he only committed to the show on Thur, like me) and a CD of 12/28/79 at Oakland, which I've only listened to the first few tracks today will doing some errands and it sounds very sweet.
Grateful. Forever Grateful.
Shadow boxing the apocalypse