Eric Krasno’s All-Star Help On The Way Concert Raises Over 15K For LA Wildfire Recovery Efforts

Guitarist and L.A.-area resident Eric Krasno responded to the recent devasting wildfires in Southern California by assembling his Help On The Way supergroup for a benefit concert on Tuesday night (February 25) at Lodge Room. Over $15K has been raised for beneficiaries the Sweet Relief Music Fund and Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena to help Eaton wildfire victims thus far with more fundraisers in the works.

Krasno was joined for a wonderful night of music focused on the songs of the Grateful Dead by bassist Ross James, percussionist Jason Hann, drummer Alex Koford, guitarist Grahame Lesh, trumpeter/vocalist Jennifer Hartswick and keyboardist Adam MacDougall. Dawes co-founders – brothers Taylor Goldsmith and Griffin Goldsmith – were the surprise guests and added to most of the evening’s first set.

The Goldsmith siblings were among the many affected by the Los Angeles wildfires. Griffin’s home was destroyed along with his recording studio, which hosted his collection of instruments. Taylor lost his home studio to the Eaton fire, while the house he shares with his wife Mandy Moore was severely damaged.

Help On The Way launched the show with a Krasno-sung “Deal” before Koford and Hartswick shared vocal duties on “The Music Never Stopped.” The ensemble then pulled from the Santana repertoire for a “Samba Pa Ti” that gave way to “Bertha.” Krasno welcomed Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith to the stage after the “Bertha” transition and the brothers stuck around for the rest of the set.

The improvisational highlight of the opening frame was the ensuing 15-minute “Eyes Of The World.” Taylor Goldsmith handled lead vocals and took a guitar solo during a jam that also saw Krasno, James and Hartswick let it rip. Griffin, who moved between drums and percussion, sang the “Cassidy” that followed with Taylor and Grahame Lesh. Kraz returned to the vocal spotlight for an extended “Sugaree” ahead of the set-closing pairing of “China Cat Sunflower” and “I Know You Rider.”

The all-star troupe called back to its name by kicking off the second set with the Dead’s holy triumvirate of “Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Franklin’s Tower.” Krasno and company then worked “Whole Lotta Love” into “St. Stephen.” Jennifer Hartswick expertly sung the Led Zeppelin classic. Next came “Scarlet Begonias” and Jimi Hendrix’s “Power To Love” along with a rousing “Samson & Delilah.”

A particularly emotional “Brokedown Palace” brought the evening’s second set to a close. Hartswick channeled Aretha Franklin on the “Rock Steady” that led into “Shakedown Street” as the encore.

Watch fan-shot video from the Help On The Way concert below:

Stream an audience recording of the benefit taped by Big Al Keller below:

Setlist

Set One: Deal, The Music Never Stopped, Samba Pa Ti > Bertha*, Eyes Of The World*, Cassidy*, Sugaree*, China Cat Sunflower* > I Know You Rider*

Set Two: Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Franklin’s Tower, St. Stephen > Whole Lotta Love > St. Stephen, Scarlet Begonias > Power To Love, Samson & Delilah, Brokedown Palace

Encore: Rock Steady > Shakedown Street

* – with Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith of Dawes