It was a chilly, drizzly early April night on Madison's famed King Street. A bright marque illuminated a few passers-by and a lone panhandler - not the sort of scene I expected for a surviving member of the Grateful Dead and her band. Entering the aptly-named Majestic Theater, we greeted some friends and ambled down the near-empty aisle admiring the grandeur the Majestic casts at you. No matter the lesser number of Heads, those of us there knew it would fill during the course of the night. A quick trip to the bar began our wait for music as we watched the two dozens of people waiting for Runside Down to kick off our night as they swirled around in the Dervish-like manner you usually only see at Dead shows.

After navigating us down a N'orleansy gilded-splinter-type path ending w/ a pair of Cheap Sunglasses, our numbers had grown to about five-score - just a dent in the 400 patrons capacity floor and a non-event for the 200 seat balcony. Those who had joined the swell during their hot performance had the good fortune to benefit from the arrival of the Fire Dept. to ensure we all were safe. Assured that we would not spontaneously combust, they left the stage in the good hands of Donna Jean and the Tricksters.

Having caught the bus shortly after the exodus of Keith and Donna, I was glad to have the chance to see the legendary singer perform. Backed by the tight group from Long Island, The Tricksters, it was immediate that we knew we were in for a good time! The opening of "Til the Morning Comes" was envocative of a different time and created the mood for a night of sweet reminiscing. "Goin' to Florence" was a nod to her days in Muscle Shoals and brought happy smiles to our faces. With the fiery guitar of Jeff Mattson blazing the way through the wild rhythms laid down by the bass, drums, and guitar of Klyph Black, Dave Diamond, and Tom Circosta, Mookie Siegal and Wendy Lanter caressed the melodies w/ stellar key play and heartfelt vocals.

Elegant as ever,Donna Jean sang us both in words old and new as the band pulled out nuggets of the past and showcased such new tunes as "Moments Away", "Comin' Back to You", and "No One Said It'd Be Easy". The vintage Garcia/Hunter "Gomorroh" and a cover of the old spiritual, "Spirit in the Sky" reminded us of her otherworldly interests and brought us to a place that was best. When a Playin, Terrapin, Playin' reprise brought us back to another day, she punctuated the scene with a classic Donna Jean scream right out of 1977. And it could have been... - Rich

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