Bill Evans Guests With Phil Lesh & Friends At Capitol Theatre

Last night, Phil Lesh had one final surprise in store for the final performance of a 10-show, five-weekend Phil Lesh & Friends residency at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York. Lesh was joined by special guest saxophonist Bill Evans, who also performed after the show at Garcia’s with his Bill Evans Soulgrass ensemble, in addition to Phil’s core band of Joe Russo on drums, Marco Benevento on keys, Joan Osborne on vocals and guitarists/vocalists Anders Osborne and Stu Allen.

[Photo by Dino Perrucci]

Once again, Phil Lesh & Friends featuring Evans on sax mixed classic rock covers with a slew of material from the Grateful Dead’s live repertoire at last night’s finale. The band kicked off the show with a cover of JJ Cale’s “After Midnight,” which segued into a “Mr. Charlie” featuring vocals from both Osbornes. Anders then led the band through his own “Windows,” while Joan stepped up front for “New Speedway Boogie” and “China Doll.” “Caution (Do Not Stop On Tracks)” saw both Joan and Anders handle vocals before the set came to a close with a cover of “Midnight Hour.”

Stu Allen sang the “Fire On The Mountain” second set opener that led into another Neil Young cover. This time around “Down By The River” got the call and was sung by both Stu and Anders. Phil took a turn up front for “The Other One,” while Anders and Joan shared vocals on “Death Don’t Have No Mercy.” The band then paid tribute to the recently-deceased Jimmy Ruffin by debuting a cover of “What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted.” The final set of the run came to a close with a run of “St. Stephen” > “Wharf Rat” > “Gimme Shelter” > “Sugaree,” before the ensemble returned for a fitting “Brokedown Palace” encore.

Photos of Phil & Friends & Bill Evans Soulgrass By Dino Perrucci

Watch fan-shot footage by Rey Mdo of “After Midnight”:

Setlist (via Deadheadland.com)

Set One: After Midnight > jo Mister Charlie jo ao, Windows > ao New Speedway Boogie jo, China Doll jo, Caution (Do Not Stop on Tracks) > ao jo Midnight Hour jo ao

Set Two: Fire On The Mountain sa > Down by The River ao sa > The Other One pl > Death Don’t Have No Mercy ao jo, What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted jo, St Stephen pl jo sa > Wharf Rat sa > Gimme Shelter ao jo > Sugaree jo ao

Donor Rap

Encore: Attics Of My Life pl jo sa