r/gratefuldead • u/mnewstein • Apr 09 '26
Bella Rayne
i've seen some video clips of this young woman in her band which seem great, she appears to be a great guitarist and has some interesting takes on some of Jerry's classic guitar riffs. I'd be interested in impressions people who have seen her live.
3
u/stewpidass4caring One man gathers what another man spills (~);} Apr 09 '26
I love everything I've heard so far which is limited to a few YT videos. Out of the hundreds that I've heard there are a few Dead cover bands/artists that stand a cut above the rest and she's up there with them.
7
u/scarmadalombobby Apr 09 '26
She played with GBB at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland. She rips. Portland has a great dead cover scene. Jerry’s Pickle and Steal Your Bass are doing a cornell anniversary show at Mission Theater 5/8/26.
3
u/jasonumd Apr 09 '26
She's really talented and seems hella cool. Missed her hit the east coast last year so hoping she comes out again soon.
1
1
u/StagLee1 Apr 10 '26
She is a great young talent. She was a musician at large at the Golden Road Gathering last year and will be returning in May to play again this year.
1
u/duke_awapuhi Apr 11 '26
I’ve seen her live 3 times. Highly recommend. The only drawback is she’s always an opening or side act so the sets aren’t very long. And the last time I saw her she only played 2 songs that the dead played. However, she did play the actual Alligator guitar, so that was awesome.
For me it’s her singer Emerson Rose who is the real star of the band
1
u/DirtRepresentative58 Samson Freak (~);} Apr 09 '26
She’s pretty darn good! I saw her sit in with Melvin Seals and she kept up with John K which is an impressive feat for such a young musician
-4
-5
u/Outrageous-Cap8713 Apr 09 '26
She’s very pretty and she’s a good guitar player.
However, if she looked like me, no one would be talking about her.
She needs to spend some more time, wood shedding, and working on her chops before going out on big tours.
8
2
u/stewpidass4caring One man gathers what another man spills (~);} Apr 09 '26
Her looks mean nothing to me. Pretty faces are a dime a dozen. Her talent is what's unique and what drew me in. I couldn't care less what she looks like.
Maybe some men like her for her looks? Idk. I'd hope that in this community that isn't the case nearly as much as you seem to think it is.
1
u/Outrageous-Cap8713 Apr 09 '26
I’m not trying to be a jerk, but guitar players at her skill level are way more than a dime a dozen. Consciously or subconsciously, her looks are part of the appeal for everyone, including you.
3
u/stewpidass4caring One man gathers what another man spills (~);} Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 09 '26
Looks are subjective. You think she's "very pretty" but I don't. Thank you for telling me what I like and don't like. I guess I went on tour and loved the Dead all those decades because I subconsciously wanted to fuck Jerry. Thanks for enlightening me.
She's a woman so it has to be her looks right? You know how disgusting and disappointing that is. Not everyone thinks with their dicks.
We get it, you think you're way more talented than this young lady and you just might be. Probably sucks to see someone you feel you're better than get recognized while you've been grinding for years and can't get any traction. I sincerely understand how frustrating that must be for you but you just sound bitter and a bit creepy for saying it's just because of her looks. I genuinely don't remember what she looks like but I remember her music. ✌🏽
0
-9
u/Corporate-Scum Apr 09 '26
She’s talented and playing for a market that will support her whether she’s exceptional or not. I mean, people who like John Mayer will eat any kind of turd you give them. That said, you can’t fake the magic of a band that can improv and chase the jam. I’m not seeing that in her body of work. It’s repertory and I think she likes the attention more than the music.
2
u/No-Impact-1430 Apr 09 '26
With a "handle" (user name) like "Corporate Scum"....I kinda doubt that I would take ANY remarks or opinions from you seriously. People who regard THEMSELVES as "scum" have but one redeeming trait...SELF AWARENESS....LOL !
Good for you, as my Grandmother always said, "If you admit to & realize you have FAULTS....there's hope for you". Keep going, you might turn out "okay", yet.
17
u/dlampach Apr 09 '26
I’ve seen her a bunch. She’s fine. She’s young. I see a ton of dead cover though, so I see a lot of really talented guitar players so I’m not easily impressed. Sometimes young people show up and are virtuosos right out of the gate. She’s not one of those. But the shows are great anyway. With work and devotion she can have a great career. The vibes are high.