Tag Results: Phil Lesh
Remembering Jerry Today
It’s hard to believe that 15 years ago today Jerry Garcia passed away. Along with the other Grateful Dead members, Jerry pioneered the jamband movement, paving the way for other bands to shine with experimental music. A gifted musician, Jerry could deliver honest bluegrass, soulful ballads, and badass guitar solos unlike no other. His spirit truly lives on through the music, and can be felt everytime Phil and Bobby hit the stage with Furthur and their other bands. Below are a few great videos of Jerry in action. In addition, Live Downloads has an excellent compilation available for purchase called Jerry Jams to coincide with the 15th anniversary of Jerry’s passing. All proceeds benefit the Rex Foundation.
Phil Lesh Makes Surprise Appearance At Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble
Phil Lesh seems to be a on a mission lately. He sounds better than ever and his playing has been top notch on Furthur’s summer tour. Always looking to please, he made a surprise appearance at Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble Saturday Night. The crowd was packed in (including a certain Mike Gordon), when Lesh hit the stage with a new band to highlight some classic Grateful Dead staples.
This impromptu band consisted of Lesh on bass and vocals; his two sons, Brian and Grahame on guitars and vocals; Larry Campbell on vocals, pedal steel, guitar, and violin; and recent Phil & Friends chanteuse, Teresa Williams. As Rolling Stone noted, Lesh had a renewed sense of energy playing with his kids, saying, “this is the proudest moment of my life” when introducing them.
Lesh also contributed to Levon’s set, playing bass on “Shakedown Street” (also featuring Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen on vocals and piano) and “Tennessee Jed.”
Cameras are forbidden at the Rambles, but the above image was taken by an unknown attendee in stealth mode. Many thanks!
Phil Lesh Saturday 7/31/2010 Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble, Woodstock, NY
Deal, Dire Wolf, I Know You Rider, Fennerio, Cumberland Blues, Friend of the Devil, Angel Band, Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad, And We Bid You Goodnight
Furthur Lights Up The Nokia Theatre With Explosive Performance
You could say I was “miracled” last night. I was “miracled” in the sense that I went down to Times Square without a ticket and walked around for an hour only to be approached by scalpers and dirtbags looking for $200+ for a ticket to see Furthur. I get it…it’s the Nokia Theatre and it’s small, but man those tickets were expensive. I walked around the venue like hundreds of others with my arm extended above my head, fingers in the “one” position, shouting the normal “Who’s got my extra” and “Cash for your extra.” I nearly walked away from it all, when a decent gentleman approached me and said he had an extra he was looking to unload for face. I was shocked that of all the scumbags walking around, this guy managed to somehow connect with me. I took the offer and was in with ten minutes to spare.
Furthur hit the stage a little after 8pm. Before the music started, Phil announced that he told Bobby, “never drink out of something you haven’t poured yourself.” He then preceded to give Bob a hug. It was a very tongue-in-cheek moment. Bob said nothing, instead letting the music speak for itself.
Set one kicked off with an appropriate “Dancing In The Street.” Everyone was dancing along and the band got into a great groove before transitioning to the Warren Haynes penned “Celebration.” I’ve always loved this song, and it’s easily my favorite off of There And Back Again. “Alligator” was a huge treat and Jon Kadlecik really owned the vocals. “Tennessee Jed” was a definite highlight of the evening, and I like how John and Bob swap vocals. “Jed” was very well executed and the crowd was digging every minute of it. “Reuben and Cherise” really took me by surprise. It’s easily my favorite Jerry solo song and again, John delivered perfectly. “Money For Gasoline” followed, allowing Bobby to showcase some Ratdog, before picking the vibe right back up with “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo.” This song kicked ass and the ending jam deserves special notice! This transitioned right into “Let It Grow” and the set ended in style.
The band returned for round two, opening with “So Many Roads.” A strange choice, and I think it took the crowd a little bit to get into. This is a great song, and one that I’m always reminded of Jerry whenever I hear it, but a strange set opener. What followed, was a set chock full of old school Dead. We were treated to an amazing “Dark Star” sandwich, with “Unbroken Chain > The Other One > The Eleven > Death Don’t Have No Mercy” as the meat. Truly an amazing experience. “Death” was hands down the greatest Bobby performance I’ve ever seen. Now, I never saw the Grateful Dead, but I’ve seen Phil & Friends, Ratdog, The Dead, Furthur, and other incarnations of the band. Bobby dominated here, and redemption for the previous evening was had. The set closed with “Goin’ Down The Road” and an a cappella rendition of “We Bid You Goodnight.” After Phil’s donor rap, “Touch Of Grey” sent us packing. A great night indeed. Below are some HD vids I shot from up close…enjoy!
Thursday 7/29/2010 Nokia Theatre In Times Square, New York, NY
Set I: Dancing In The Streets > Celebration > Alligator > Tennessee Jed, Reuben & Cherise > Money For Gasoline, Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodleloo, Let It Grow
Set II: So Many Roads > Seven Hills Of Gold > Dear Mr. Fantasy > Dark Star > Unbroken Chain > The Other One > The Eleven > Death Don’t Have No Mercy > Dark Star > Goin’ Down The Road Feeling Bad > And We Bid You Goodnight
E: Touch Of Grey
setlist courtesy of www.furthur.net
download the show here.
Live From Radio City, It’s Furthur!
5pm yesterday I was sitting at my desk, really wanting to go to the Furthur show, but unwilling to pay for a scalped ticket. Figuring I had nothing to lose, I logged into ticketmaster and somehow pulled up two floor tickets to last night’s show. I couldn’t believe it…number one, I was getting these for face; and number two, they were on the floor!
I haven’t seen Phil and Bobby since the Dead last year at MSG, and was eager to hear this Furthur lineup. They did not disappoint.
Set one started with an opening jam, with the members noodling around before Phil dropped his first bass bomb of the evening, causing the band to launch into “Playing In The Band,” a very appropriate opener. This was jammed out for a bit and segued quite nicely into the JJ Cale classic, “After Midnight.” This was my first time seeing/hearing John Kadlecik play, and wow does he sound EXACTLY like Jerry (guitar tone is an exact replica). Closing my eyes, it was hard to believe that Jerry wasn’t up there. The set progressed nicely with a few surprises, including “The Race Is On,” a song I have always loved. “Two Djinn” was nicely played and was one of the more upbeat songs of the set.
Set two is when things really heated up. I finally got my “Viola Lee Blues,” and what a version it was! The band was really into it, especially Joe Russo, who kept impeccable timing and really owned the jam. “Shakedown” had every body in the house up and dancing. The energy kept flowing with “Hard To Handle > Deal.” “Mason’s Children” was probably the biggest surprise all night, as the place erupted with cheer. Bob decided to play “Days Between” afterwards. I just couldn’t get into it and it felt like the wind was knocked out of the place. All was remedied when they segued into the classic “Let It Grow.” A traditional “Help > Slipknot > Franklin’s” closed out the set. Phil came back out for his usual donor rap, and asked us to stick around for one last quick one. “Johnny B. Goode” was our finale and it really capped off an excellent evening (the band played behind an image of the Grateful Dead playing behind the Wall of Sound!).
This is a great lineup, and I look forward to reading about what they do the rest of the tour.
Tuesday 2/23/2010 Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY
Set I: The Other One Jam > Playing In The Band > After Midnight, They Love Each Other, When I Paint My Masterpiece, The Race Is On, Dear Mr Fantasy > Two Djinn, Samson And Delilah
Set II: Viola Lee Blues > Shakedown Street > Hard To Handle > Deal, Mason’s Children, Days Between > Let It Grow, Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Franklin’s Tower
E: Johnny B. Goode
setlist courtesy of www.ohkeepah.org
download the show here.
Furthur Plays UD - I Kick Myself For Not Being There
Last night, Furthur played my alma mater, University of Delaware. Why couldn’t they have shows like this when I was there!!!? For those that have never been to “The Bob,” it’s a great venue…really has that gymnasium feel to it. From what I’ve read via Twitter, Phil and Bobby sounded great, as did the rest of the band. Looking at the setlist, highlights definitely included a show-opening “Here Comes Sunshine,” “Estimated Prophet,” “Cosmic Charlie,” a take on Ryan Adams’ “Peaceful Valley,” “Terrapin Station,” and a “Ripple” encore. There’s always next time…
Monday 2/22/2010 Bob Carpenter Center, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
Set I: Here Comes Sunshine, I Need a Miracle, Estimated Prophet, Candyman, Maggie’s Farm, Alabama Getaway, Black Peter, Cosmic Charlie
Set II: Golden Road, Jack Straw, Cold Rain and Snow, Peaceful Valley, Sugaree, Revolution, Lady with a Fan > Terrapin Station, Throwing Stones
E: Just Like Tom Thumbs Blues, Ripple
setlist courtesy of www.ohkeepah.org
download the show here.
