It is safe to say that Dark Star Orchestra is among the best loved tribute acts in the cosmos, right alongside myriad other Grateful Dead tribute bands, and Hollywood, Florida's Hot Rod (pure Rod Stewart awesomeness). This is so because Deadheads still love the Dead with such heart and devotion that anyone, or any band, that can evoke the spirit that first entered this world through the bodies, minds, and instruments of Jerry Garcia and the gang nearly half a century ago is automatically deemed worthy of that same Good Lovin' that was once given and received by 'Jerr Bear' himself.
And, Dark Star Orchestra is arguably the best at doing just that. Their level of replication is of the highest quality, not just because they sound so much like the Dead, down to the minute details, but because they do it with the intention of honoring the band which brought so much joy to so many.
Like DSO honors the Dead, the Dead regularly honored those who inspired them, though not to that same fanatical degree. Many songs not written by Dead members became standards in the repertoire, like Bonnie Dobson's "Morning Dew," The Young Rascal's "Good Lovin'," and Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away." The Dead made these songs their own.
Also though, the Dead would often play covers in the more traditional sense -- special treats played as nods to fellow artists. Here are a handful of those that it would be cool to hear DSO do at Revolution this Saturday, as played by the Dead in their time.
Of course, DSO recreates entire Dead shows, so these selections are made with that in mind. This writer is partial to '70s Dead, as you will see.
"It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" by Bob Dylan
Clearly, Dylan was the Dead's favorite artist to cover. It would have been fair to just post five Dylan tunes here, but for the sake of variety we'll stick to just one. And, this is the best one.
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