Dark Star Orchestra Performs "China Cat" into "I Know You Rider" at Gathering of the Vibes 2011

Grateful Dead tribute act, Dark Star Orchestra, lays down a fifteen minute "China Cat" into "I Know You Rider" at Gathering of the Vibes gatheringofthev... at Seaside Park in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
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[@nolifemusicanman]

They really are a true blessing.. Had my first real LSD experience at a DSO show, never will forget it as long as i live

[@Moweesdaddy]

500ug A tab hahhahaha

[@rachelcabahug7581]

Really?

[@gratefuldoc2576]

Long time head and I love these guys. Seen them at the capitol theater in Port Chester a couple of time and always walk out happy. I enjoyed these show much more than any of the Furthur shows I went to. At time you can close your eyes and you feel like you are listening to the Dead. Anyone hating on the guitarts is lost. Dude has serious chops and is the closest to Jerry that I have ever seen.

[@JoshDone]

Really? You don't think John K. has both the guitar phrasing, tone, and the voice that is closest to Jerry in his prime?

[@RadioactiveSpaceman]

JoshDone or steve kimock...

[@rperkins723]

Very good. Keeping the Dead vibe going. Love Kreutzman's answer at the Fare Thee Well shows, "This is one version of the GD". I need it to go on forever!

[@20tokes]

Anyone else get chills when they started singing I know you rider? Awesome.

[@echoorvissimms8819]

💯☝️

[@eriko1435]

"Lord I Wish I Was a Headlight on a Northbound Train!!!"

[@usblues1995]

Dark Star Tickets are UNDERPRICED. For the music, this is the band to SEE. 99.9% of the comments are written by people who never seen Jerry. This is as close as it gets .Peace to all

[@kennethstorr2227]

Seen DSO at Frontier field played the show from Silver stadium (mile away ) from 87 show Note to note.Awesome performance .

[@WindTreeStudios]

Saw these guys last year and had a GREAT TIME! The Shows are gone forever but the musical legacy lives on. Thank you Dark Star Orchestra!

[@Marsch21]

The transition reminds of the early 1970s Dead. Rock On!

[@bigriverful]

man..i love gd music..phil, ratdog, furthur etc..dso is the real deal!!

[@SanFranciscoFatboy]

awsome muscians, wow. and to me the amps look like the deads gear. just wonderful, fellas! dude doing jerry's parts sure has balls. dude rocks it!!!!

[@neil327]

Fantastic jam on one of the all time fantastic jams! Great stuff

[@michaelkearns8499]

Mattson playing is outstanding here. He's a great guitar player

[@user-gh5lz4if5v]

Saw them at Hampton Beach Casino, close your eyes and just drift! I was totally blown away. Can’t wait to see them again and again and again! 🎸🎼🥁🎤

[@brianjansen3103]

I first heard about these guys in 1998 but somehow I'll be seeing them for the first time next week, that trips me out, I honestly can't believe I haven't ever seen them but better late than never!

[@cjmproduction]

Can't fucking wait for All Good Festival this summer!!!!! See you guys there! Peace, love and drugs.

[@GreensnGuitars]

Its so funny to hear people talk shit about these guys they are as close you are going to get to The Boys so get a clue. Experience it for what it is sadly we are never going to see Jer play again so we get what we can. Get a life and JUST BE brothers and sisters. Such a bitchy bunch old heads lol im a music snob too but these guys are REALLY KEEPING ALIVE tell me they don't tear it up : )

[@evoddubb]

I agree. These guys are jamming! Great job on one of my favorites. The flow between China cat to rider is awesome. Jerry was never a great singer. But when I listen now, its like hearing an old trusted friend. A calming effect. Great job guys and girl!

[@ShyGuy1919]

If the horse don't pull you got to carry the load These guys do it extremely well

[@chucklemuchuckle2170]

People think this is bad? They're missing out.

[@sirtalkalotdoolittle]

My son and I had many a good night watching Dark Star when they came to Columbus, Ohio. Ask me how much I would pay for just one more concert like that.

[@darleenstrathy484]

How did I not know about this Grateful Dead cover band?!

[@evelyneverettgreen]

incredible playing all round

[@iseethem1]

Totally great!

[@LionelBundy]

This is actually pretty fuckin' cool. 2 thumbs up.....

[@brianellis6880]

Yea if you’re on lsd

[@blake924]

Correction it’s even better on lsd

[@svsugvcarter]

Loving this a decade on.

[@chuckbenton9098]

This has been been stuck in my must watch list for over a month... a couple nights a week and it never gets old... I think its the best rendition of this on youtube, which is saying a lot.

[@arnaudfuster3586]

I love this !

[@jeffmattson1313]

Amazing!!! DSO Rocks the world!

[@alliehappy]

that's the best "bobby" i've ever heard.

[@damnright4]

Fantastic!! This band lays it down solid............

[@wheelhouse12]

this makes me excited to see DSO in Boston next month

[@marcolascaraky6663]

This "china cat sunflower" really likes to me...no too much long or complicated...is perfect for my musical tate...

[@InService77]

Jeff Mattson's body language gives me the impression that he has some health problems or some kind of impairment, but it sure doesn't show in his guitar playing. Also, it's fun to watch him get this animated which is rare. Reminds me of seeing Garcia between '87-'90 after the semi-coma of '84-'86.

[@nickjanice6356]

Got tickets for both London shows. Great theatre, saw The Damned there last year. Be seeing you.

[@spacedistheplace]

Jerry has too many fingers.

[@freedomworks3976]

spacedistheplace lol 😂

[@mopar340dave]

That's hilarious.

[@KurtKnutsen]

Thanks made my day.

[@gennabingochea7118]

Just discovered them on YT. Talk about a musical undertaking. Think China Cat would be a favorite to play. I bet these guys even wonder how the GD could play like that. Hope to see them live sometime

[@tyleryesta1]

when I wanna learn clean, clear Jerry riffs, I get um off this guy. No one nails it quite like he does.

[@davemakena]

Yah! That felt GOOD!

[@DClean]

Fuckin badass, saw them in Toronto last night, one of the best shows Ive ever been too!

[@IsaiahKeiser]

8:24 “are we doing Uncle John’s Band tonight?”

[@gbballpl]

Hahaha great

[@lynchbug]

Seriously well produced, great performance.

[@jeffmargulies3833]

nails the screaming "headlight"

[@joeygold24]

how could you guys put ads in the middle of a song? cmon vibes...

[@jasondotson]

I wanted to be the next jerry too! This guy def has the look and sound. John, the last jerry, was awesome too!!!

[@KJVIDS82]

My speakers have been at 35% for 3 years now. They are now at 100%.

[@freakypete8421]

welcome to london lads

[@abbyglasser2716]

Pretty solid...dead on...I put this above many versions by the band.

[@Katalysator53]

This is actually VERY good!

[@thomasdoyle1891]

for those of you who have access, the bonus disc from the cd release of the grateful dead movie has what is, imho, the greatest china/rider ever. this clip pay homage to that version, without ripping in off. hey phil and bob, if you are listening, you got the wrong lead guitar player in furthur.

[@scottwilliams5371]

They are rhe best sead cover band by long shot

[@beatnick1754]

so good

[@jacquelinefranz8851]

Love Jeff Mattson!

[@spokanada78]

seen these guys at 2001 world hempfest harrisburg ore. great show

[@Lovlygod]

Hey guys, you are just great.

[@tripfall224]

f'in awesome...check out Jeff's early days with a band called the zen tricksters or the volunteers...awesome...rock on!!!

[@alexpetro271]

They should have gotten this guy instead of Tre for the 50.

[@christo4520]

+alexpetro271 damn straight

[@pascualsandoval6592]

+alexpetro271 no Trey Anastasio did an awesome job singing for jerry. but lets agree that john mayer cant sing dead songs, what was bob thinking when he hired him to sing for dead and company?

[@christo4520]

Opinions. Never saw dead and company.

[@pascualsandoval6592]

+Christo Browen that doesn't make sense, please explain

[@kevinwingler3370]

+pascual sandoval lol

[@chucklemuchuckle2170]

They knew what the crowd wanted

[@sergiotorres5775]

I guess even the dead cover bands suffer from "Donna" related problems! overall good cover!

[@rachelcabahug7581]

Dino the drummer runs the show...always

[@reynasaenz8720]

gonna go check them out in tahoe today.

[@TheWootMachine]

loooved the dso set, still looking for a recording!! is there one out there?

[@thedaganmall]

what an awesome show they put on Thursday night! perfect lead-in to the weekend! is it just me, or are the audio levels on this video low?

[@markoblazney6360]

really cool totally

[@artofjemurphy]

Great performance guys, John Murphy Family Dog

[@jasonbell4670]

Outfuckinstanding!!!!!!!

[@freedomworks3976]

Good stuff good good stuff

[@BronxGummer]

Without a Doubt, this is the best Jerry Garcia guitarist. His name is Jeff Mattson. I have been watching him for 20 plus years. Nobody tops him. The only job he ever had was playing guitar. He has toured the country consistently his whole life. He knows the Dead scene music better than anybody. You should also hear his originals - unbelievable lyrics as well as music. He was roommates with Keyboardist Rob Baracco for years. In my opinion, there was some political move for Chimenti over Baracco in the band The Dead. I personally think Baracco is better than Chimenti. I don't think the members of the Dead would've been able to handle both Mattsson and Baracco on stage together. They would steal the show. They have more energy and didn't have a life marred by drugs. The two of them are always on when they play together. It's such a shame because Mattson is a very quiet and reserved guy. He just looked too much like Jerry, sang too much like Jerry and played better than Jerry. I think this was Jeff Mattson's demise. When I say played better - I mean he never has an off night. Garcia invented the whole sound, but unfortunately had much more off nights than on nights.

[@justing42]

You can’t be serious in any of those comparisons

[@davidheeke879]

these guys r good

[@HelpermanTube]

Very very trippy china rider

[@daviddemar8749]

Just close your eyes and it's them......

[@seekup241]

How are people hating on this? Get to the vibes and get on one, shit just have a drink or two and let DSO fuck you up! You know why tickets are that price, because people are willing to pay it. No other reason than supply and demand. You can't afford it? Get a better job holy shit. Wake the fuck up!

[@biegs28]

I'm not hating I just think cover bands are boring as fuck. I love the Dead, but DSO is weak. China Cat is so good, it was hard go imagine such a low-energy cover of it..until I heard this. Yawn

[@freedomrdmo]

Lovin this band...shared you on my community page: Hippie Love Fest on Facebook

[@TheWootMachine]

@msjams100 do you have a link? could you message it to me? I've looked through archive several times. I can only seem to find a recording from the day before the vibes show, and then a week after. thanks

[@joejones891]

probably a warmoth custom built. Check out their site. you pretty much build your own guitar and neck (usually without electronics and stuff)

[@wolco003]

Never been to a DSO show...always thought they were pricey...now I see/hear why!!!

[@HUMFREX]

i have seen them at least 5 times, never over $30. they always play amazing! I'm blown away each time

[@wolco003]

austin humphrey I have seen tickets for ~50...probably smaller venues, but 32.50 at HOB on the 4th! Going!

[@wayrou2136]

4:23 swatting a fly away

[@BigOleTaterTV]

anybody know a good place i can sleep in my van after tomorrows show in indy?

[@concretejungle80cruz]

man, saw the old dark star with the older "jerry" who is now playing with Phil. Then, saw these guys again with this new "jerry" about 3 years ago and was not super impressed. Boy have they improved! What a great jam!! These guys are tight!

[@bobmuse40]

I've never seen them live with Jeff since John had to leave the band, but he does a great job. It's kinda like having the fat Elvis versus the fit & trim Elvis now. Luv these guys for real though :)

[@MyFilthymcnasty]

Nice flow and real sweet Uncle J's tease. Quit bitching about the price if the vibe is good and the tunes flow, that is all that is required for a real good time.

[@mikewilkinson4588]

If they're channeling the Dead I'm there....DSO is good they come to Seattle every year......remnants of the Dead and John Mayer wish they'd come to Seattle.....the Gorge is to $$$$$$......... can't get enough.....first saw them in 68......

[@danrjr]

cant find it on the archive site

[@emmerfarro]

Jerry played with "warlock" guitars??? What are you talking about?

[@gaitherpope5920]

Nice job

[@damnbigfish]

Like this dudes playing more than JK's

[@nolifemusicanman]

7:49 guy in blue tie dye hittin a joint ^__^

[@rocknrolljunkie3]

his voice sounds EXACTLY like Jerry at 3:00.

[@SteveArvey]

Wow they sound just like the dead..

[@JayGreen25]

🎼🌹💀🎸🎼

[@mikewilkinson4588]

DSO channels the Dead and I will not miss them when they play Seattle.....

[@justing42]

I probably will unfortunately, was looking forward to seeing something better than that HACK Andy Coe and that garbage he produces. Seattle’s scene needs help if that’s the top of the tier.

[@scottyc304]

l know you rider!

[@scottyc304]

@ 7:25 hell yeah!!

[@chrishoebich2021]

Ok... Yeah... They're not the Grateful Dead... but still, they're pretty darn good. I'd go to see these guys over Phish any day of the week. Music's a hundred times better.

[@chrishorton615]

+Chris Hoebich Me too, what is it with Phish that I'm having a hard time appreciating?

[@666les8]

The Lead can't even play songs he wrote??

[@TheOraclearchive]

Chris Horton perhaps you're wanting, or expect sting Phish to fill a void, instead of embracing them for who they are. Maybe.

[@Rockandrollgeerage]

Chris Hoebich check out Terrapin flyer

[@justing42]

That’s because Phish is LAME

[@DavidJones-ey6ie]

Seen kadliecek and matson

[@paparock0513]

damn how can anyone one play that same lead riff over and over

[@joreyreitman9655]

For after D&C

[@folkman200]

Not too bad, not too bad:-)

[@Phazonmines2319]

I think the part where they're missing it is in trying TOO hard to emulate the Dead. They're TOO perfect. The Dead made a lot of mistakes while playing, but they turned their mistakes into a shift in the atmosphere of the music. They looked at a 'wrong' few notes as a 'nudge' from the universe to help them elasticize what they were already playing. If one instrument made a mistake, they would all change to make it work even better than if they DIDN'T make that mistake. Essentially, they saw everything as perfect, mistakes being welcome. This led to some great and very trippy jams. The Dead wasn't TRYING to do anything, they just WERE. They were just being themselves and chilling. This band seems to be *trying* to emulate them. Anyways, I enjoy this band and love what they do!

[@bsdman1]

Tribute bands are in a much different spot than the band they are paying tribute to. The Dead had its own aura (like ANY band) and as the Dead, they could do anything they wanted to, b/c its their band and people loved them no matter what they did. Dark Star is trying to match that aura the best way they can. BUT there are a million different ways pay tribute the Dead as a tribute band. They may not feel like they have a lot of leeway to improv on their own. The risk lies in the fact that if they just let loose as musicians, then they might stray too far away and float into a messy and unrecognizable jam...that would therefore get criticized by purists. It's a tough position to be in...do they highlight the improv dynamic of the Dead (and the Dead's improv style -or- DSO's improv style?), or do they learn entire shows note for note, or does DSO rehearse their own jam that sounds "Deadish", or just play the album version? Either way, DSO is pissing someone off.

[@patrickdunham1878]

True but that was a kick ass version of the medley fwiw.

[@Sleepy_Alligator]

Never seen Dark Star Orchestra, but I saw the Grateful Dead allot over 17 years (78 to 95), I know what you are saying and agree completely. I heard the Dead seriously laying it down, and I heard times where a "mistake" was made by one person in the band and someone else compensated musically in real time such that overall there was no mistake at all. Cosmic perfection. Over the years I heard this happen a number of times, it was truly an amzing thing to experience. Kind of hard to verbalize, but when that music was happening the Dead were "surfing" on some force of nature they could sort of channel or harness, kind of in and out of control, weaving a web of sound, orbiting around this massive, ever changing rhythmic/tonal thing. Words dont work well trying to describe it, though being in "its" presence changed me forever. Get shivers everytime I dwell in the memories of being there, the music washing over me. Awesome, healing, and I miss it very much.

[@comictown2701]

lay off the acid

[@davidheeke879]

check out Splintered Sunlight

[@sg1770]

Splintered sunlight not in same class as these guys

[@DavidJones-ey6ie]

Dso is legit. Seen multiple times. I would see Dso over phish and i love some phish. I have seen new years phish. I am a double digit phish person. Still love phish but more of a dead guy

[@Forklifter87]

What do you mean there rough man

[@dpercy123]

I think I was there??

[@chrishorton615]

Music wise, I think DSO sound great, the guy doing Jerry's vocals, not so much. I can however appreciate his musicianship.