Cover Alert | Phil & Friends Cover Sweet Jane In The Park

At 74-years-old there’s still no stopping Phil Lesh. Hot off a four-night stand of Phil Lesh & Friends shows at Terrapin Crossroads that just wrapped a few nights ago, Lesh brought a version of the project to Central Park’s SummerStage last night for the first show of yet another four-night run. Phil and John Scofield, Warren Haynes, John Medeski and Joe Russo played the outdoor NYC venue on Wednesday night and will repeat the feat on Saturday. Tonight and tomorrow, Lesh brings the same lineup, with John Kadlecik subbing in for Haynes, and Wilco guitarist Nels Cline along as a special guest, to The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY. That’s quite a busy four nights for even a young musician, let alone a legend in his golden years.

Phil in the park is a rare treat and besides a surprise set he played last November with Russo and Eric Krasno, Lesh hadn’t performed in Central Park since a pair of late ’60s Grateful Dead gigs. The weather held out for the capacity crowd, who witnessed a show chock full of classics from the Grateful Dead’s live repertoire as well as a Warren-led “Sunshine Of Your Love” and another cover we’ll get to soon.

In addition to the core band of Phil, Scofield, Warren, Medeski and Russo, Lesh brought a pair of Terrapin Crossroads regulars -guitarist Ross James and percussionist Jordan Levine -out from the Bay for last night’s show (and perhaps more). James adds another voice to the mix and was given a few opportunities to shine. One of those moments came in the first set, when the group dusted off a cover of “Sweet Jane” by The Velvet Underground. Ross’s voice fits “Sweet Jane” like a glove and by the time the cover concluded fans were treated to glorious solos from Scofield and Haynes. Not to be outdone, James showed off his six-string skills at the end of the tune.

Watch fan-shot footage of “Sweet Jane” thanks to Scott Gibson:

Here’s the setlist from last night’s show via Deadheadland.com:

Phil Lesh, Warren Haynes, John Scofield, John Medeski, Joe Russo, Ross James, Jordan Levine

Set One: Not Fade Away pl wh, Sunshine Of Your Love wh > Sweet Jane rj, Bird Song pl, Just A Little Light wh, West LA Fadeaway rj > Sugaree wh

Set Two: Shakedown Street wh > El Paso rj > Uncle John’s Band > Stella Blue wh, I Know You Rider, Unbroken Chain pl> The Other One pl > Lady with A Fan pl> Terrapin Station pl

Donor Rap

Encore: Going Down The Road Feelin’ Bad