05/??/06 DJ Le Spam and The Spam Allstars @ SOB's

DJ Le Spam and The Spam All Stars are a collective best known for being the illustration in Vida Blue's The Illustrated Band, one of the best of the Phish side project releases. Their Cuban-tinged funk fusion fit in perfectly at the world music enclave of SOB's.

05/20/06 Daptone Super Soul Revue @ Irving Plaza, New York, NY

At the time, this show seemed like the penultimate celebration of the soul revival spearheaded by the Daptone label intent on vintage analog equipment and a decidedly retro, yet fresh take on the genre. The showcase doubled as a 50th birthday celebration for the former corrections officer turned neo-soul superstar, the inimitable Sharon Jones. It featured nearly every artist on the label, from Jones' backing band The Dap Kings to funksters The Budos Band to gospel revivalist Naomi Davis. Several years later, however, the soul revival has burgeoned even further with the success of acts like Amy Winehouse. Sharon herself has reached higher plateaus with headlining gigs at The Apollo Theater and a much-ballyhooed stint as back-up vocalist for Phish's 2009 Halloween interpretation of The Rolling Stones' Exile On Main Street that also featured several members of the Dap-Kings horn section.

05/13/06 Dark Star Orchestra @ Nokia Theater, New York, NY

1: WRS Prelude@> WRS Part 1@> Let It Grow, Half Step, Jack Straw, West LA Fadeaway, Cassidy, Run for the Roses, Esau, Hey Pockey Way> Deal
2: China Cat> I Know You Rider, Dancin', Liberty@ , Sailor@> Saint@> Drums> Space> Other One> Stella Blue> Lovelight
Encore: Box of Rain> Saturday Night
Notes: Special guest keyboardist Dan Klepinger - @Eaton on acoustic

This show holds a special place in my heart since it was the night I met my girlfriend. We were both working at the Lifebeat table and we hit it off immediately. Curiously, she knew nothing of the Grateful Dead prior to that fateful night.

Several years later, we are still happily together and she is now a converted 'head.

05/12/06 Dark Star Orchestra @ Nokia Theatre, New York, NY

10-08-1989 Coliseum, Hampton, VA
Set 1: Foolish Heart> Walking Blues, Candyman, Me & My Uncle> Big River,Stagger Lee, Queen Jane, Bird Song> Promised
Set 2: Help> Slipknot> Franklin's, Victim> Eyes> Drumz>Miracle> Wheel> Gimme Some Lovin> Morning Dew
Encore: We Bid You Goodnight
Filler: Marriage Proposal, TLEO, Good Lovin'
Notes: Special guest keyboardist Dan Klepinger

This was a reinterpretation of one of the legendary Hampton '89 shows, during which the Dead were billed as Formerly The Warlocks. Unfortunately, DSO did not choose the show that included the Dark Star bust out.

The most memorable part of this show was the post-encore marriage proposal. She said yes.