Event

Wake the Dead

After 11 years of solid success blending Celtic traditional music and the songs of the Grateful Dead, this hot Northern California septet now embraces the entire Summer of Love, delighting Deadheads, folkies, rockers, and adventurous music lovers alike around the world.

As an expression of cultural joy, you can't top an Irish wake. And what is a wake but a celebration - a toast of appreciation - an expression of love - and a damn good party. So when eight top Bay Area musicians realized they shared as deep a love for the songs of the Grateful Dead as they did for traditional Celtic tunes, some brand-new music sprang up and started the partying.

Wake the Dead is a romp that flows seamlessly from rock grooves to hot Irish reels, and from haunting airs to achingly beautiful melodies familiar to Deadheads everywhere. "Sugaree" in waltz time, bracketed by an ancient harp tune and infused with a poignant Celtic longing. "Bertha" thundering out of "China Cat" on a mandolin tidal wave. The eerie lilt of the uilleann pipes, giving a glow to "Bird Song" as if it was always meant to be there. Groove jams to keep the tie-dye swirling. Vocal harmonies that float like clouds.

The music takes off, and the band follows, grinning all the way. These aren't worlds colliding - they're worlds meshing, coalescing - creating a whole new world of possibility, and true to the spirits of the Grateful Dead and the eternally hopeful Celts.