Song Review: Terrapin Flyer with Derek Trucks - “Dark Star” (Live, March 30, 2026)
Seated and playing Jerry Garcia’s Tiger guitar, Derek Trucks helped Terrapin Flyer launch “Dark Star” to a high-space orbit.
Alternating between slide and traditional fretting, Trucks fingerpicked gentle leads, counterpoints and phantom-vocal melodies across the thoughtful-and-serene instrumental take.
Though he was playing Garcia’s axe, Trucks didn’t mimic Garcia’s playing - Josh Olken handled that part - but channeled his adventurous spirit across 12 minutes of meditative music.
The band didn’t sound like the Grateful Dead - moody saxophone fills and Trucks’ evocative playing made sure of that - but this wordless “Dark Star” was readily identifiable and a loving interpretation of a much-loved Grateful Dead number.
Grade card: Terrapin Flyer with Derek Trucks - “Dark Star” (Live - 3/30/26) - A
4/2/26
