Hello everyone. Well, here we go with another big tour. We are really looking forward to this one. Lots of fun venues, interesting shows, and some new twists.
Right now we are tearing it up at to a packed house at Irving Plaza. Lisa and I both have the night off (4/29/71), so I thought i would post for the first time in a while.
When we do the early 70's, either Dino or I has to take the night off. Tonight it is me. People often ask, "is it strange to watch your own band"? Well, the answer is yes. While, of course, I would rather be playing than watching, it does give me a unique perspective on things. I think the main thing is really getting to see the audience. I like to take a walk around the venue and check out the crowd. See the dancers, check out how people react to the music, and mostly, see the smiles on peoples faces. It really lets me know what kind of affect we, and mainly this music has on folks. Keep dancin'. Keep smilin'. It is what keeps us going. Thanks- ROB K
Friday, April 29, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
High in the clouds!
I'm writing from 35 thousand feet! What a trip from Bellingham, WA to Ft. Collins, CO!!! Unbelievable jams, love and good energy!
You westerners sure poured it on us and I hope we gave it back in turn! See you all soon! Love, Rob Barraco
You westerners sure poured it on us and I hope we gave it back in turn! See you all soon! Love, Rob Barraco
Monday, April 11, 2011
Spread The Love!
Hello again,
I must say the band and crew are all having a blast this tour and we appreciate all your positive vibes you have been passing back to us.
It's also great that many of you are recognizing the extra spark Kevin has been giving lately. We have always loved Kevin but Since Jeff has joined the band, he's been spending extra time working to be the best he can be. He also has plans to expand his tonal pallet by augmenting his bass selection. He debuted his new Jack Casady Epiphone bass the last night of the Great American run. ...Talk about giving off good vibrations! ...And some more custom work is coming which will improve it even more. Go Kevin!
We are hearing from many different directions that the band is sounding the best it ever has and this is the best line up yet. I don't know how to respond to this subjective comment other than to say thanks and that the band is feeling "it" in a serious way.
Perhaps it is time to let others, who are outside our circle, know how you feel. In the past, many have experienced resistance from those who discount us for being a cover band. They couldn't get past that little box they put us in to give us a chance. What you know and what we know is that the only thing that matters about this particular confluence we all have going is the music.... GD music played with the highest musicality we can muster. And that this is a LIVE music experience that is meant to be shared with a room full of people who are all helping to make the room take off and fly.
I've been noticing the word is getting around to people who were once critical of our approach and that now, they have opened up to the fun that can be had. We seem to be less controversial today as more people seem to be coming into some semblance of agreement that we do have a measure of worth. Again, some of you are expressing that worth in very strong ways. We hear you and it does matter to us because without you there is no music. The controversy seems to end (or turn into something a little more fun) by the reluctant person of the past getting in the same room with all of us and letting the music do it's thing.
Perhaps it is time to try your friends again... the ones who wouldn't listen before. ... or the online social networks and message boards that wouldn't listen before. Perhaps it is time for you, my dear DSO blog reader :), to go out unto the world and spread the love.
I know this may start to be sounding like a sermon and perhaps it is. All I know is that there is something in the air.... something new is waiting to be born and the time is now! Let's all of us help make this magic happen.... together!
AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR PARTICIPATION AND GOOD VIBES!
Dino
I must say the band and crew are all having a blast this tour and we appreciate all your positive vibes you have been passing back to us.
It's also great that many of you are recognizing the extra spark Kevin has been giving lately. We have always loved Kevin but Since Jeff has joined the band, he's been spending extra time working to be the best he can be. He also has plans to expand his tonal pallet by augmenting his bass selection. He debuted his new Jack Casady Epiphone bass the last night of the Great American run. ...Talk about giving off good vibrations! ...And some more custom work is coming which will improve it even more. Go Kevin!
We are hearing from many different directions that the band is sounding the best it ever has and this is the best line up yet. I don't know how to respond to this subjective comment other than to say thanks and that the band is feeling "it" in a serious way.
Perhaps it is time to let others, who are outside our circle, know how you feel. In the past, many have experienced resistance from those who discount us for being a cover band. They couldn't get past that little box they put us in to give us a chance. What you know and what we know is that the only thing that matters about this particular confluence we all have going is the music.... GD music played with the highest musicality we can muster. And that this is a LIVE music experience that is meant to be shared with a room full of people who are all helping to make the room take off and fly.
I've been noticing the word is getting around to people who were once critical of our approach and that now, they have opened up to the fun that can be had. We seem to be less controversial today as more people seem to be coming into some semblance of agreement that we do have a measure of worth. Again, some of you are expressing that worth in very strong ways. We hear you and it does matter to us because without you there is no music. The controversy seems to end (or turn into something a little more fun) by the reluctant person of the past getting in the same room with all of us and letting the music do it's thing.
Perhaps it is time to try your friends again... the ones who wouldn't listen before. ... or the online social networks and message boards that wouldn't listen before. Perhaps it is time for you, my dear DSO blog reader :), to go out unto the world and spread the love.
I know this may start to be sounding like a sermon and perhaps it is. All I know is that there is something in the air.... something new is waiting to be born and the time is now! Let's all of us help make this magic happen.... together!
AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR PARTICIPATION AND GOOD VIBES!
Dino
Sunday, April 10, 2011
San Francisco!!!!!!!!
Where do I begin? Ah, I know. Let's face it, it all started here in San Francisco. Our whole crazy counter-culture gone global! Playing 3 days in this town is like making a haj to Mecca. I did my obligatory stroll down to 710 and walked along the Haight into Golden Gate Park.
The Great American Music Hall is a must for anyone who ventures into San Fran. We just finished 3 sold out shows! The GD luminaries were out in full force. Trixie Garcia, Dan Healy, Kidd Candalerio, Betty Cantor-Jackson, Rock Skully, Cameron Sears, Dennis McNally and his lovely wife Susanna, ..... the list goes on. Unbelievable energy in the crowd! The Santa Cruz dancers are serious business folks! Unbelievable energy from my band mates!!! Kevin's new base rocked the house last night. We are all sore and nursing our wounds today in Reno.
Roll away the dew!!!!! Rob Barraco
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Mechanical aspects!
If you believe in astrology, then we must be under some crazy mechanical failure aspects!
First our generator went down, so, no electricity on the bus. Our wonder driver Ron worked endlessly and fixed the problem. Then, Jeffs guitar stops working just before the Eugene show.
Our Rob Eaton came to the rescue and took it apart and fixed it. 2 minutes later the organ takes a dive and once again our Mr. Eaton comes to the rescue and fixes it!
Now, the worst disaster, the refrigerator is shot. No quick fix on this one, though. Sometimes.....
That aside, ridiculously great jams!!! Every show on this tour and it's all happening in my favorite places in the west. Enjoy, Rob Barraco
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