Dark Star
Dec. 11, 1972
Winterland Arena
There are many Dark Stars. Which means: there are many out there that we probably have not heard. This was one of them for me. I'm more of an Other One kind of guy, but I keep an open mind, since Dark Star can go in so many directions. This is one of those mesmerizing ones that can lull you into a dreamscape labyrinth. It can seem almost infinite timewise (especially if you have imbibed in one of those substances that slow everything way, way down). It sounded to me like Keith didn't come in until about the 3 minute mark. About 10 minutes in, it gets out of its lethargy and everyone is suddenly (well, JG leads the way) playing all sorts of louder stuff. Abstract jazz? Around minute 15, I'm thinking: how long can Billy keep this up? But then it slows back down into restating the main theme and Jerry (finally) starts singing. You almost think they're done (and the crowd seems to) when it enters into that semi-scary space that culminates at 21:00 into some disturbing screeches. We might be orbiting some far off planet at this point. Slow, ominous bass and drums. Around minute 26 there are sounds I have never heard in a DS. Are these aliens trying to communicate with us? Billy is at warp drive at the 31 minute mark while otherworldly sounds abound. At the 33 minute mark, your head explodes. Then we land.
