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Jefferson Starship / Pirates Ball - July 5 1997

By Glenn Kernan

Good Morning People !

I attended the "Pirates Ball" on Saturday July 5th. This event was also known as "Tribute to Jerry Garcia". It started around 200pm for a drum circle, followed by 3 local bands in the "tent". The main acts did not start until 700pm on the main stage. Weather was perfect, sunny , warm , clear , only in the mid-seventies. The show was not sold-out and it was General Admission.

JGB

JGB performed first. Here is part of the setlist. It is not complete, and is not in the correct order. The lineup was different than the one they were using in February.

D. Baldwin - drums
Seals - keyboards
Jones- vocals
LaBranch - vocals
Seals - bass (I think this is Melvin's brother or cousin)
Winter - vocals/sax
P. Harris ? - lead guitar
? - rhythm guitar

Basically, there are 3 musicians replacing 1 Jerry Garcia.
Anyway, to the best of my knowledge:

Shaedown St.
Thats What Love Will Make You Do
Sugaree
Not Fade Away
Fire on the Mountain
?Get out of my life woman?
Deal->
Dark Star Jam
Deal

Short set, only about one hour long. Actually this was true for all bands. The guitarists were not loud enough, maybe this was deliberate. Winter's vocals are very similar to Garcia's. He didn't play too much sax from what I remember. I was surprised to hear so many Dead cover tunes. Overall, not bad, but I think I liked the show at the Graffitti in February better. More energy.

Missing Man Formation w/ Vince Welnick

The band appeared very relaxed as they took the stage. As they tuned up, Vince introduced the band members. The first song was an instrumental, not bad, but a little too mellow for my mood at the time. They played a few songs that I never heard before, so I don't know if they are originals or cover tunes. Vince played "Golden Days" with all the emotion he could muster. This was probably the highlight of the set ! I'm sure most people were thinking of Jerry at the time... He closed with "Standing on the Moon" which was also pretty good , played with lots of emotion.

Next came a very long break, maybe an hour ? I sat down close to the front, preparing for my jolt to the front row afer the lights went down.

Jefferson Starship

For the second year in a row, I was able to push myself to the very front of the stage !! I stood on stage right for the beginning of the first song, but I was so excited to see Jack Casady , that I quickly moved over to stage left, directly in front of him ! Jack was in fine form that night, and was VERY animated ! I watched him prance around the stage , while making goofy faces and blasting his bass at full volume ! This was definitely the highlight of the evening for me. Balin looked and sounded great, and played a song from his new solo album (Not sure of the title). Kanter sounded great. Aguilar (sp?) had some blistering solos , but was pretty quiet most of the night.

Crown of Creation
Plastic Fantastic Lover/3/5 of a mile in 10 seconds (It was one of these, not both)
Somebody to Love
New Marty tune
???? Old ? New ? Maybe an old J. Starship tune ? Dont know...
White Rabbit (Complete with Casady opening bass blasts! This was awesome!)
Ganja of Love
Count on Me
Miracles
America (this version was not as inspired as the one we heard June 12,1993 at this venue, but still fun!)
VOLUNTEERS !!! (Great show closer, the crowd was jumping up and down (or was I jumping and everyone was standing still ?!?!)

I'm definitely going to try to see this band again, they are in peak form right now!!!

All for now,
Glenn

Created July 8, 1997. Review written by Glenn Kernan.

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