Phil Lesh & Friends Deep Dive Into ‘Darkstarathon’ Improvisation For Episode 9

Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh shared the latest video in his Darkstarathon series. Episode 9 of the never-ending “Dark Star” features a Phil Lesh & Friends lineup of keyboardist Adam MacDougall, drummer Jeremy Hoenig, guitarist Stu Allen and guitarist Grahame Lesh.

That same lineup recently appeared in Phil’s other video series, The Clubhouse Sessions, delivering a classic Grateful Dead double sandwich. Lesh also enlisted the ensemble for Darkstarathon Episode 9, which picked up where Phil & Friends featuring harpist Mikaela Davis left off.

Episode 9 got underway with a vibey jam that waxed freeform jazz for several minutes highlighted by Adam MacDougall’s electric piano and Moog synthesizer stylings. The quintet found their way into an instrumental segment with “Dark Star” motifs roughly 10 minutes in.

But the improv swerved again into a frenetic sequence, which Phil wrangled momentarily with a more rhythmic bassline. The ensemble then fell back into some more deep explorations to wrap the session. The video ends with Phil regaling the band with tales of Grateful Dead audio innovations including the Wall of Sound.

Watch Darkstarathon Episode 9 below: