Grateful Dead Hour no. 1066

Week of February 23, 2009

Part 1 24:16
Grateful Dead 10/25/69 Winterland, San Francisco
DARK STAR

Part 2 32:39
Feature: LEE JOHNSON, Composer of DEAD SYMPHONY

Lee Johnson’s Dead Symphony no. 6 had its west coast debut on January 25 and 27, performed by the California Symphony in Walnut Creek under the direction of Barry Jekowsky. The composer was in attendance, and after each performance there was a panel discussion with Johnson, Jekowsky, GD historian Dennis McNally and me. I enjoyed the performance very much, and both the performances and panel discussions were very well-received by California Symphony regulars and casual attendees alike. I saw a lot of familiar faces in the audience.

I interviewed Jekowsky, founder and musical director of the California Symphony, before the January 27 performance. You’ll hear that talk in next week’s program. It was not possible to broadcast recordings of these shows, so the Johnson and Jekowsky interviews are illustrated with excerpts from the original recording of Dead Symphony no. 6 by the Russian National Orchestra under Johnson’s direction.

Support for the Grateful Dead Hour comes this week from:

Relix Magazine, featuring an exclusive cover story on THE DEAD with band members interview by some of the musicians they influenced: Phil Lesh interviewed by David Schools of Widespread Panic, Bob Weir by Keller Williams and Mickey and Billy by Billy Martin from MMW. Relix is on newsstands online at relix.com.

The Suwannee SpringFest, a festival of American roots music March 26th through 29th at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida, just across the Georgia line. Donna the Buffalo, the Emmitt Nershi Band, The Duhks, The Lee Boys, Darrell Scott, Darol Anger & Mike Marshall, The Gourds, David Gans, and many many more. Information is available at 904-249-7990 and magmusic.com, where you will also find information on Music Farmers, a documentary about MagnoliaFest and the Suwannee SpringFest, now available on DVD.

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