Well, that was a heck of a crazy, crazy night at the majestic Mishawaka Amphitheatre. Sages and Spirits brought fire down from the mountaintops with an incredible evening of music to soothe every magical soul nestled beneath the star-filled sky. What a fantastic setting for these talented musicians to recreate and innovate the music of the good ol’ Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia Band. The bond between the band members was powerful and purposeful. If you are of an age to have seen the Grateful Dead or any variations of the band since, you know what I mean, and these guys had all of the same vibes, mojo, and excitement about them.
That common bond—the peaceful power of the Grateful Dead’s music—bestows upon us a sense of connection that lives on and will continue to live for the rest of time. It will evolve and revolve around different people in different situations for different reasons. There is no real explanation for the joy it brings and the love it spreads. It’s not something to be explained; it’s something that you feel and share. Since the late 1970s, I have danced next to people I had never met before, and it felt like we were brothers and sisters then, and it still feels that way today.
The modern-day tribe of merry pranksters that continues to follow the quiet, soulful calling of the Grateful Dead’s music is an adventurous bunch who are resourceful, kind, compassionate, and always ready to rock, and last night was no exception. The band walked onstage, and before a single note was played, it was a “holy cow” moment. These guys embody and embrace everything the Grateful Dead’s music and vision stood for—and still stands for. The commitment and ambition each of the band members has devoted to the music is overwhelmingly thoughtful. These musicians are keepers of the flame and musical historians, preserving the fragility and complexity of one of the most desirable musical catalogs on earth. They are keeping the spirit of the music alive not only for us older fans but for new fans alike.
The band is Melvin Seals on organ (Jerry Garcia Band), Jay Lane on drums (Dead & Co., Wolf Brothers), Rob Eaton on guitar and vocals (Dark Star Orchestra), John Kadlecik on guitar and vocals (Furthur, Dark Star Orchestra, JGB Band), Rob Barraco on keyboards and vocals (Dark Star Orchestra, The Dead), Skip Vangelas on bass and vocals (Dark Star Orchestra), and Jake Wolf on drums (Rocky Mountain Grateful Dead Review, Pickin’ On The Dead). If that is not a powerhouse lineup of well-seasoned road warriors, I have no idea what is.
Grateful Web had a chance to talk with the guys in the band, and the general consensus was that they were all very excited to be spending two back-to-back nights together at the Mishawaka Amphitheatre. The much smaller, intimate setting of the Mishawaka after playing so many consecutive nights in the expansive Sphere in Las Vegas was a welcome change for Dead & Co. drummer Jay Lane, who told me the Mishawaka gigs were more his speed. Jake Wolf, also on drums with Sages and Spirits, explained that he was in awe of his fellow bandmates and that he was having the time of his life playing with them. His description of his feelings about his band brothers made the hair on the back of my neck stand up!
Opening the first set with “How Sweet It Is” set an early tone for the fired-up Friday night audience. You could see and feel the energy hitting the crowd as hard as the raging Poudre River pounding the rocks merely feet away from the stage. All of that momentum flowed right into “Jack Straw,” “Cumberland Blues,” and several more choice tunes from many eras of the Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia’s catalogs. The complete setlists are included in this article. The double drumming from Lane and Wolf was a nonstop percussive wall of sound. They worked really well together, holding down the rhythm section along with Skip Vangelas ripping thick, tasteful bass grooves that reached deep into the audience’s soul.
After a short break, the boys returned to the stage to complete the face-melting situation they started, and, man, oh man, did they ever finish it off! Kadlecik on lead guitar was having a night—all right. His tone, technique, and all-out guitar wizardry set the place on fire with soul-scorching solos, and if you weren’t looking at Seals when he was soloing, you would swear he was standing on his Hammond organ. The swirling sounds coming from his dual Leslie speakers bounced off the canyon walls, creating a kaleidoscope of sound that filled every corner of the amphitheatre. Eaton on rhythm guitar was pinpoint-precise; his playing style had so much depth and style, and his connection to the songs really shone from the stage. Barraco’s cascading keyboard style was classy and cool; his improvisational skills shook your bones out of your body. Vocally, Eaton, Kadlecik, Barraco, and Vangelas all sounded great, taking turns on the singing duties of the evening.
Wow, what a great gig! Thanks to all of the musicians who took part in this incredibly special show. I feel comfortable speaking for everyone in attendance when I say, “Let’s do this again next year.” Thanks to the Mishawaka staff and everyone who attended, and remember, this is all happening again tonight at the Mishawaka, so get on the bus and take a ride into the unknown and unpredictable world of the Grateful Dead. Special thanks to the Mishawaka production crew and a big shout-out to Caleb on lighting!
