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Phil Lesh continued his October residency at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY on Saturday, marking evening 5 of 9 for the octogenarian Grateful Useless bassist and two of three for this explicit configuration of his Pals. Constructing on the previous night’s experience, the all-star crew—comprised of Rick Mitarotonda (Goose), Grahame Lesh (Midnight North), John Medeski (Medeski Martin & Wood), John Molo (Moonalice), and the Trey Anastasio Band horn part of James Casey, Natalie Cressman, and Jennifer Hartswick—shortly settled in to ship one of the crucial thrilling nights of Grateful Useless music in latest reminiscence.
Phil Lesh could also be growing older however as a band chief he surrounds himself with musicians who breathe new life and vitality into the timeless Grateful Useless catalog, one which Mr. Lesh himself had a hand in creating. With precisely one present to their credit score, this group of Pals did precisely that, enjoying with what felt like years of expertise whereas placing on full show the expertise, individuality, and gamesmanship that introduced them to this time and place.
As numerous shared glances and figuring out seems to be flashed backwards and forwards amongst these in attendance, one couldn’t assist however really feel like they had been witnessing one thing particular with this contemporary day iteration of the Grateful Useless that includes a full horn part. It was contemporary. It was thrilling. It was, in a phrase, spectacular.
The band took a flying begin with “Bertha”, Grahame Lesh singing whereas Medeski and Mitarotonda dazzled and the horns flew off at full tilt. A palpable buzz turned an simple roar by the point Goose’s 31-year-old guitarist took his first vocals of the evening on “Althea”, although Rick was simply starting to place his signature on what was already shaping as much as be a particular evening. Bob Dylan‘s “After I Paint My Masterpiece” (sung by Grahame) adopted earlier than Natalie Cressman made essentially the most of her flip within the highlight with sultry vocals on a searing rendition “He’s Gone”.
Phil Lesh & Pals – “Bertha”, “Althea” [Pro-Shot] – 10/22/22
After driving waves of affected person builds and explosive releases, the band charged head first right into a behemoth “Chilly Rain and Snow”, a noteworthy transition that ought to have been unattainable for a band on its second efficiency. Mitarotonda flexed his skills as soon as once more right here, prompting reflections on the exponential development he has undergone in a short while. Although he was simply 5 years outdated when Jerry Garcia died, Rick has launched his personal band into rarified air and appeared completely comfy filling these large footwear.
A rising tide lifts all ships and the room was little doubt buoyed by the spirit and zest for all times proven by James Casey, a colon most cancers survivor who accomplished chemotherapy earlier this yr. To see him carry out is to really feel his triumph, and there was no extra applicable alternative than him to sing the everlasting phrases of “Contact Of Gray” because the band approached set break.
The basic pairing of “China Cat Sunflower” (Grahame) > “I Know You Rider” (all) fiercely opened the second set forward of a Rick-sung “Brown Eyed Girls”. “The Wheel” (all) moved alongside intentionally, the band once more exploring varied tempos as each member of the band rose to the magnanimity of the second, the rhythm part of Lesh and Molo creating area for savage guitar leads, swelling organ solos, and provocative horns.
Phil Lesh & Pals – “China Cat Sunflower” > “I Know You Rider” [Pro-Shot] – 10/22/22
“Woman With A Fan” (Phil, Grahame) > “Terrapin Station” (all) showcased the technicality and intricacies of the catalog earlier than segueing right into a monster duet by Jennifer Hartswick and Grahame Lesh on “Morning Dew” to which the group responded with roaring hysteria. “One Extra Saturday Night time” is typically anticlimactic when it’s coming, however not so on this evening. As an alternative, it supplied another wild social gathering as set two got here to a detailed.
Phil Lesh might have stumbled over Rick Mitarotonda’s identify throughout band introductions on evening one however he made positive to get it proper at the moment, the group responding with the acquainted, chanted rumble to have a good time the Grateful Useless’s unofficial collaboration with the fast-rising Goose. Rick would take that cue for lead guitar and vocals on an electrical “Johnny B. Goode”, channeling each Chuck Berry and Jerry Garcia each as he indelibly imprinted his identify on a really memorable assembly of musical minds.
It’s unattainable to say how or when these items take form, or in the event that they’ll ever occur once more. All we all know for positive is that there’s another likelihood to pattern this potent combo at The Cap this weekend. With evening three on the docket, dare I say: By no means miss a Sunday present.
Patrons who wandered over to Garcia’s on the present’s conclusion stored the social gathering going sturdy with Summerfeet, native legends of psychedelic yacht rock for hippies who’ve been entertaining early-arriving followers all weekend. On Saturday evening they took closing duties, too, dazzling with a mixture of covers from Steely Dan, Phish, The Meters, and, in fact, a little bit extra Grateful Useless. Summerfeet may even play another Garcia’s present on Sunday beginning at 6:45 p.m.
Scroll all the way down to view the total setlist and take a look at a gallery of images through Andrew Blackstein from Saturday evening’s Phil Lesh & Pals present that includes members of Trey Anastasio Band, Goose, and extra. For a full record of upcoming Phil & Pals dates at The Cap, head here.
Setlist: Phil Lesh & Pals | The Capitol Theatre | Port Chester, NY | 10/22/22
Set One: Bertha (GL), Althea (RM), After I Paint My Masterpiece (GL), He’s Gone (NC), Chilly Rain & Snow (RM), Contact Of Gray (JC)
Set Two: China Cat Sunflower (GL) > I Know You Rider (All), Brown Eyed Girls (RM), Wheel (All), Woman With A Fan (PL/GL) > Terrapin Station (All) > Morning Dew (GL/JH), One Extra Saturday Night time (RM)
Encore: Johnny B Goode (RM)
Notes: The band featured Phil Lesh (bass, vocals), Rick Mitarotonda (guitar, vocals), Grahame Lesh (guitar, vocals), James Casey (saxophone, vocals), Natalie Cressman (trombone, vocals), Jennifer Hartswick (trumpet, vocals), John Medeski (keys, organ, vocals), John Molo (drums). Singers for every music are famous with their initials.
Phil Lesh & Pals | The Capitol Theatre | Port Chester, NY | 10/21/22 | Images: Andrew Blackstein
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