Phil Lesh & Friends Close Out Capitol Theatre Run: Full Show Audio

Phil Lesh & Friends closed out a celebratory three-night stand on Saturday at The Capitol Theater in Port Chester. For the final night of Phil Lesh‘s 79th birthday run the bassist was joined once again by the core band of keyboardist Benmont Tench, guitarists Jackie Greene and Grahame Lesh and drummer John Molo. Last night’s lineup also included guitarist Luther Dickinson along with contributions from vocalists Amy Helm and Birds of Chicago‘s Allison Russell.

Lesh & Co. got the final night of their March residency off the ground with a rousing rendition of “Deal.” A pair of tracks from the Grateful Dead’s Cosmic Americana phases followed with takes American Beauty chestnut “Operator” and an achingly, beautiful version of the Workingman’s Dead cut “High Time.” Dickinson stepped up to sing lead next, dedicating Slim Harpo’s blues classic “I’m King Bee” to Ron ‘Pigpen’ McKernan and “all the bohemian freaks.” After a take on “Tennessee Jed,” Helm and Russell emerged getting their first chance to shine on a gorgeous, harmony-filled version of “Brokedown Palace.” Tench put his stamp on a set-closing “Sugaree” that featured standout piano playing.

Traditional jam-vehicle “Viola Lee Blues” was used as the launching pad to get the final frame of the run going as Tench leaned in on utilizing his Hammond B3 organ throughout. “Jack Straw” with Grahame Lesh and Greene swapping verses followed. The ensemble had a chance to get weird as they looked to Anthem Of The Sun for the psychedelic-blues freakout “Caution (Don’t Stop On The Tracks).” “Truckin'” came ahead of Tench getting his chance to sing, delivering a tender, heartfelt take on “China Doll.” After working through “Lady With A Fan” and “Terrapin Station,” Helm and Russell emerged. The eight-piece collective brought the stanza to a close with a gospel-tinged “Morning Dew.”

Phil Lesh & Friends brought the memorable three-night run to a close with a two-song encore. Wilson Pickett’s “Midnight Hour” once again gave Helm and Russell a chance to show off their impressive vocals with Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland’s “Turn On Your Lovelight” used to put an emphatic exclamation point of the evening. Listen to full show audio from Taper Rob and check out fan-shot video captured by Sean Roche below:

Full Show Audio (Captured by Taper Rob)

Set One

Set Two

Operator

King Bee

Tennessee Jed

Brokedown Palace

Jack Straw

China Doll

Morning Dew

Midnight Hour