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Phil Lesh and Friends rolled into the Fillmore in Denver, CO on Friday night to kick off a sold out two night stand and a new tour. The current incarnation of Phil and Friends includes Jon Molo on drums, Rob Barracco on Keys, Jimmy Herring on guitar, Warren Haynes on guitar and Phil on bass. As you approached the venue you could see the countless music lovers with a finger held high in an attempt to get into what was going to be a hot, hot show.
You could tell the band hadn't performed in a while as they opened up with Mississippi Half Step into Smokestack Lightning. Although both songs were performed well, the groove just hadn't clicked yet. As the band moved in to Shakedown Street, they all got on the same page, as did the crowd. From the opening beat it was a butt shaking version, to say the least. Warren and Jimmy really got things going here, taking turns soloing and bringing the crowd to new heights each and every time. Ramble on Rose was definitely well received by the crowd, as was Broken Arrow. This may have been a nod to an amazing Grateful Dead bar, located right next door to the Fillmore, named Sanchos Broken Arrow. The set closer, Cold Rain and Snow, was simply perfect, and left the crowd more than ready for a break.
Now the second set was where it was at. From start to finish, the band led the crowd up and down and kept everyone moving from start to finish. The opening jam led into a Help>Slip>Frank, to rival any that I've ever heard. The transition from Slipknot into Franklin's Tower was simply unreal. To hear Jimmy and Warren playing in unison like that is truly unbelievable! The next highlight had to be the transition from Crazy Fingers into Not Fade Away. Phil was throwing his arms around onstage getting the band excited and letting them know to pound this out-and man, did they ever! The Soul Shine which followed was truly heartfelt, and I have to admit that to hear Warren sing a soulful blues song like that just sends chills up and down my spine. Fire On the Mountain was well played and unexpected as I figured Soul Shine would end the set, but apparently the band was having too much fun. They then went into Morning Dew, which Phil sang with deep feeling as to give a nod to Mr. Garcia.
The encore was by far my favorite part of the evening. The transition
from The Wheel into Other One, was so seamless. When the bass line to the Other One kicked in, the whole crowd let up an enthusiastic shout, as we knew we were about to be thrown around for a few minutes. The band did not disappoint, with Phil dropping bombs everywhere and Jimmy and Warren just ripping us apart!
Truly a great grate evening of music... I would recommend catching this current incarnation of Phil and Friends if they come to a town near you, you will not be disappointed! For as much music as their is out in the "jamband" scene, there is always something to be said for a night of grooving
and throwing down to the music of the Good Ol' Grateful Dead.
Adam Sokolic
JamBase Colorado Correspondent
Go See Live Music!
Phil & Friends
Philmore | Denver, CO
Friday, February 9, 2001
Set I:
Half Step > Smokestack Lightning > Shakedown, Ramble On Rose, Broken Arrow > Cold Rain and Snow
Set II:
Jam > Help On the Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower, Crazy Fingers > Not Fade Away > Jam > Soul Shine > Fire On the Mountain, Morning Dew
Encore:
Wheel > Other One > Wheel
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