Phil Lesh Celebrates 77th Birthday With Musical Friends At Capitol Theatre
By Scott Bernstein Mar 16, 2017 • 6:46 am PDT
Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh turned 77 yesterday and honored the occasion by kicking off a short run of Phil Lesh & Friends shows at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York. Lesh led a band that included vocalist Joan Osborne, guitarists Stanley Jordan and John Kadlecik, keyboardist Jason Crosby and drummer Mark Levy. Phil was honored with a cake from The Cap’s Peter Shapiro and audience members sang him “Happy Birthday” as part of the celebratory performance.
The six-piece began the evening and the run with a take on JJ Cale’s “After Midnight” and the Pigpen era chestnut “Mister Charlie,” both of which were sung by Osborne. Kadlecik then stepped into the spotlight for “Bertha” before Phil handled vocals on Robbie Robertson’s “Broken Arrow.” Next up was Stanley’s chance to shine as Jordan led the group on shred-heavy, instrumental renditions of Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound Of Silence” and The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby.” Joan then returned to the mic for the Motown classic “What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted” ahead of Lesh performing one of his signature songs, “Box Of Rain,” to close out the first set.
Wednesday’s second set saw more of a focus on the Grateful Dead’s live repertoire. After opening with “Shakedown Street,” the six-piece presented a “New Speedway Boogie” > “The Other One” > “Stairway To Heaven” sequence. The latter was another Jordan-led instrumental. Kadlecik and Osborne then shared vocals on an interesting arrangement of “Sugaree.” Last night’s show rolled on with “Lady With A Fan” > “Terrapin Station” and the second set concluded with a joyous “I Know You Rider” > “Not Fade Away” pairing.
Phil’s birthday show ended with the aforementioned celebrations of the occasion as well as a “Turn On Your Lovelight” encore. The band returns to The Capitol Theatre on Thursday night.
Full Show Audio (Taped by Z-Man / Shared by Jam.Buzz)
Videos
Setlist (Compiled by Noodler)
Set One: After Midnight (JO), Mister Charlie (JO), Bertha (JK), Broken Arrow (PL), The Sound of Silence > (Instrumental) Eleanor Rigby (Instrumental), What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted (JO), Box of Rain (PL)
Set Two: Shakedown Street (JO), New Speedway Boogie > (JO) The Other One > (PL) Stairway To Heaven (SJ instrumental), Sugaree (JK, JO), Lady With A Fan > (PL) Terrapin Station > (JO, JK, PL) I Know You Rider > (all) Not Fade Away (all)
Happy Birthday (audience)
donor rap
Encore: Turn On Your Lovelight (JO), Band Introductions (PL)
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