Nels Cline Guests With Phil & Friends At The Cap

Phil Lesh & Friends kicked off a two-night stand at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY last night with a show that saw contributions from four different guitarists. Lesh took the stage with the unit of guitarists John Kadlecik, John Scofield and Ross James as well as keyboardist John Medeski and drummer Joe Russo for the first set, before swapping James for Wilco guitarist Nels Cline in the second set. Percussionist Jordan Levine also sat in for the second set.

Cline’s participation in the two May Cap shows was announced last week. Ross James, who performed with Lesh & Friends on Wednesday night in Central Park, wasn’t an announced guest. The Terrapin Family Band guitarist took the lead on versions of “New Minglewood Blues” and “Californian Skies” in the first set. Kadlecik handled the bulk on the singing duties throughout the night.

Nels finally emerged for the second set and stayed out for the duration of the show. Cline’s guitar work blended seamlessly with the Garcia-esque licks of Kadlecik for a set that focused on beloved Grateful Dead classics such as “China Cat Sunflower,” “Dark Star,” Scarlet Begonias,” “St. Stephen” and “Fire On The Mountain.” Lesh’s ensemble said farewell for the evening with a “Liberty” encore. The band returns to The Capitol Theatre tonight, before a different version of the ensemble performs at Rumsey Playfield in NYC’s Central Park on Saturday.

Set One (w/ Ross James): The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion) jk > Pride of Cucamonga pl > New Minglewood Blues rj > Pride of Cucamonga pl, Ramble On Rose jk, Californian Skies rj > Here Comes Sunshine jk > Box of Rain pl

Set Two (w/ Nels Cline & Jordan Levine): Jam > China Cat Sunflower jk > Mason’s Children pl > Dark Star pl > Scarlet Begonias jk > St. Stephen all > Reuben and Cerise jk > Dark Star pl > Morning Dew jk > Fire on the Mountain jk

Cody’s Story

Encore: Liberty jk

[Screenshot & Setlist Compiled by Mike Edwards]