Dark Star Orchestra Recreates 1971 Grateful Dead Show At Capitol Theatre

Grateful Dead tribute act Dark Star Orchestra began a three-show run at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York on Thursday. The band’s Halloween concert featured a recreation of the Dead’s February 18, 1971 performance at the historic venue as well as an encore/filler that included a debut cover, “Werewolves Of London” and more.

DSO are filling in for Phil Lesh and the “Phil-O-Ween” runs hosted by The Cap since 2013 while the Grateful Dead bassist recovers from recent surgery. Dark Star will recreate a show the Grateful Dead played at the Port Chester theater each night of the run. Last night’s concert included a take on the “Beautiful Jam” that came out of the Dead’s debut of “Wharf Rat” and within “Dark Star” for which the original show is best remembered.

The Grateful Dead’s original performance also included the debuts of “Bertha,” “Playing In The Band,” “Loser” and “Greatest Story Ever Told.” An interesting moment came after “Sugar Magnolia” when guitarist Jeff Mattson took a few moments to replace a broken string. The band’s other guitarist, Rob Eaton, used the opportunity to introduce DSO truck driver Ken Asroff, who then grabbed the mic and sang “Bring It On Home To Me.”

For the filler, Dark Star Orchestra performed “Cryptical Envelopment” and “The Other One.” The band the segued into their debut version of Donovan’s “Season Of The Witch.” Dark Star Orchestra went on to keep with Grateful Dead tradition by closing the concert with a cover of Warren Zevon’s “Werewolves Of London.”

Watch fan-shot video from btragal featuring a portion of the “Beautiful Jam” below:

Photos by Suzy Perler

Full Show Audio (Taped by Fred Nicolois)

Setlist

Set One: Bertha, Truckin’, It Hurts Me Too, Loser, Greatest Story Ever Told > Johnny B. Goode, Mama Tried, Hard To Handle, Dark Star > Wharf Rat > Dark Star > Me & My Uncle

Set Two: Casey Jones, Playin’ In The Band, Me And Bobby McGee, Candyman, Big Boss Man, Sugar Magnolia, Saint Stephen > Not Fade Away > Goin’ Down The Road Feelin’ Bad > Not Fade Away > Uncle John’s Band

Filler: Cryptical Envelopment > The Other One > Season Of The Witch > Werewolves of London