by Michael A. Weiss
Guest Contributor

Rarely, if ever, does a tribute or cover band’s ingenuity, musicianship, energy and collaborative talents spark a zeitgeist-driven transformation whereby their precision-like dedication and fresh interpretation of the music creates fans of THEM. This is Dark Star Orchestra (DSO) and the remarkable organic and evolving experience, which its founders set into motion 19 years ago, paying homage to the lyrics, music and individualistic stylings of The Grateful Dead and The Jerry Garcia Band.

This past Friday night in Montclair, New Jersey at the Wellmont Theater, I revisited DSO having seen them perform 8 years ago on Governors Island, just off New York City. Even though I’d probably choose DSO co-founder John Kadlecik’s more wide-ranging channeling of Jerry Garcia’s voice (Kadlecik left DSO in 2009), this current configuration of DSO is the far tighter, more capable and entertaining band. Each member refreshingly explores the music’s length, width, depth, height and spirit, with a pervasive orchestra-like discipline that beautifully ties it all together, creating a polished jam band sound, the paradox of which defines DSO.

This realization struck me as they opened with “Shakedown Street.” Jeff Mattson’s pitch-perfect, 1980’s-Garcia-like voice was only trumped by his masterful guitar playing which even Jerry would have paid to consume. Then DSO’s Rob Eaton turned back minds with a vibrant performance of “Greatest Story Ever Told” from Bob Weir’s 1972 Ace solo album which only a 25-year-old Weir could challenge. Then, just like being at a Dead show in the late 1970s, Mattson’s deliberate yet improvisational, intense delivery of “Candyman,” had me playing air guitar and humming lyrics which are more moving to me now than they were when I was introduced to this song on the Dead’s American Beauty album.

Just when I thought I had enjoyed what were likely the highlight moments of this DSO show, Rob Eaton took things to another level with “Cassidy,” which entertained me more than I thought possible. Then I remembered that’s why I loved The Grateful Dead. But even fans of The Grateful Dead would admit the members (and Donna) weren’t exactly consistent at the top of their game, especially relative to one another.

This is why going to a DSO concert has become its own magical music experience as evidenced when Jeff Mattson NAILED the uplifting anthemic themes, sounds and lyrics of “Ramble on Rose.” Mattson’s controlled, explosive guitar playing and haunting but beautiful vocals on this song stirred a dancing only crowd.

Then, as if the word “strange” and a Grateful Dead concert were synonymous, as they thankfully are, I wondered why master bassist Skip Vangelas was singing lead on “Box of Rain.” For a moment, and I write this with great respect for Vangelas’ prodigious and proven talents, I didn’t understand why 1 of the 3 other stronger voices in this band wasn’t delivering such a poignant, heart-wrenching song (with human-highlight-reel keyboardist Rob Barraco’s voice being the 3rd.) But then I remembered Grateful Dead bass-player Phil Lesh wrote and sang lead on this tune as a tribute to his then dying father, and it is the ONLY Grateful Dead song to which he ever provided his voice as the lead vocalist. As my Mom currently “exists” in an assisted living facility, I suddenly appreciated the significance of the moment and DSO’s commitment to Lesh’s depth and integrity. I sat back and received a wonderful gift communicated through a song very nicely performed by Vangelas and DSO.

DSO’s “calling card” is a concert of replicating, in its entirety, one of the 2,317 live Grateful Dead shows with attention to detail so transcendent it’s as if they use a time machine to recreate moments or minutes of a memorable Grateful Dead concert, equal to note-for-note performances of classic Jerry Garcia guitar licks. But as I referenced above, the music and its fans have empowered them to play DSO original set lists of The Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia Band favorites.

While fans on both sides of me used their phones to cruise the web hoping to identify the source of this show, like it was gift which could only be unwrapped in its own time, this night was simply DSO having fun on what was their 19th Anniversary. A few songs later when they closed out the first set with a riveting version of “Jackstraw,” DSO’s genuine love of this music shined through like “a headlight, on a north bound train” as Rob Eaton carefully introduced the 1st verse setting up he and Mattson to share vocals and steal the show supported by a Little Feat-like tight band which brought the crowd to a crescendo of cool, absolute delight.

A few songs later when they closed out the first set with a riveting version of “Jackstraw,” DSO’s genuine love of this music shined through like “a headlight, on a north bound train” as Rob Eaton carefully introduced the 1st verse setting up he and Mattson to share vocals and steal the show supported by a Little Feat-like tight band which brought the crowd to a crescendo of cool, absolute delight.

“Eyes of the World” opened the second set. Its majestic melody and optimistic lyrics temporarily cured the crowd of the current political toxicity. Two songs later, “Terrapin Station” had everyone on their feet exhibiting their individualized grasp of this most imaginative, philosophical song whose storytelling conjures up images as innovative as its name, theme and rhythms. Wow.

After “Drums” and “Space” went on too long, as they did during the best of Grateful Dead concerts, DSO performed the Beatles’ “Dear Prudence,” a Jerry Garcia Band staple, which was AMAZING. They stretched it out to feature the entire band and Mattson’s vocals tied it up in a bow. “Going Down the Road Feelin’ Bad” was next and the juxtaposition of keyboardist Rob Barraco’s maestro-like soothing sounds and Mattson’s spot-on lead vocals added a virtual reality to the song’s lyrics. Sounds crazy but I was there.

“The Music Never Stopped” closed out the second set and Rob Eaton and DSO handled the song expertly. Because it might be my favorite Grateful Dead song, I missed the original’s angelic female background vocal ingredient as DSO member Lisa Mackey was unable to perform on this night. The Beatles’ “Revolution,” a song The Grateful Dead selectively performed on what they perceived to be special occasions, served as the encore.

The emotional and metaphoric resonance of “Revolution” immediately connected with all in attendance and closed out the show evoking reflective, challenging but soothing and optimistic thoughts. While that’s what great music can do, it’s one of those things in life you have to feel for it to be real. I think DSO is dialed into that magical power of music and that’s why this show was a celebration of their prolific longevity.