Gathering of the Vibes 2011–Thursday

Having a great time at Gathering of the Vibes so far… usual perfect snafu’s of planes trains and automobiles, meeting friends and setting up camp.IMG_20110721_160729

And just in the nick of time for a great set from The Mother Hips!

It was their first time here, and they were on early, so unfortunately for the late arrivals, they missed a rocking set that included ‘White Falcon Fuzz" and "Magazine". Tim Bluhm, singer and guitarist, was dripping bucket’s of sweat as he told the audience "…we’re not used to heat like this, we’re from California." I talked to The Mother Hips guitarist Greg Loiacano after his set, and he confided that the band didn’t get a chance to practice before the set, as all the band members were busy with other things, and it had been a couple months since the last Hips show.  He felt they got it together a little into the set, and are ready for their weekend shows (Cambridge MA tonight, Friday 7/22 and Hoboken NJ  on Saturday) For me, they played well, not as on fire as some shows I have seen from them, but solid and rocking it, definitely catch them when they come to your area.

Great music next from The Infamous Stringdusters, incredible musicians in the bluegrass rock vein, the highlight for me was their cover of The Police’s ‘Walking on the Moon"

Dumpstaphunk = deep funkin’ good time. As always, take the bad stuff that’s happened in the past, let it go, and put it – in the dumpsta!

Dark Star Orchestra Gathering of the Vibes 2011Thursday night headliner, Dark Star Orchestra turned in an original set of Grateful Dead classics, and were joined by Donna Jean Godcheaux on several songs as well. This band is really developing into a major act, whille still always a playing tribute to the Dead, and IMO by building their own sets and jams, they are expressing so much more. Many felt it to be one fo the finer DSO shows they have ever seen. here is the setlist:

1: China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Jack Straw*, Loose Lucy*, Passenger, Brown-Eyed Women, Blow Away, Mama Tried, Big River*, The Harder They Come*, Around and Around*

2: Help on the Way > Feel Like A Stranger > Scarlet Begonias* > Fire On The Mountain > Playin’ In The Band* > Drums > Space > St. Stephen > Alligator > Morning Dew > Playin’ Reprise
E: Brothers and Sisters*       (*with Donna)

DSO–Gathering OF the Vibes 2011