Phil Lesh & Friends Featuring Dawes Perform In Asbury Park

Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh brought a special Phil Lesh & Friends lineup to Asbury Park, New Jersey on Monday for a concert at The Stone Pony Summer Stage. Phil was joined by Dawes members Taylor Goldsmith (guitar/vocals), Griffin Goldsmith (drums), Trevor Menear (guitar/vocals) and Lee Pardini (keyboards) as well as vocalist Nicki Bluhm, guitarist Grahame Lesh, saxophonist Stuart Bogie and trumpeter/vocalist Jennifer Hartswick on Independence Day at the Jersey Shore.

Taylor Goldsmith led the troupe through “The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion)” to get the Independence Day concert underway. Jennifer Hartswick then handled lead vocals on “Dancing In The Street” before Nicki Bluhm fronted a “Deal” featuring solos from Taylor Goldsmith, Grahame Lesh, Stuart Bogie and Trevor Menear. The “Estimated Prophet” that followed saw Grahame Lesh sing and ended with a tasty jam including impressive interplay between the guitarists. From there, Phil had his first opportunity of the evening in the vocal spotlight on an extended “Uncle John’s Band.” The ensemble capped the set with a take on Chicago’s “Saturday In The Park” complete with the lyric, “I think it was the Fourth of July” and a blistering horn solos from Hartswick and Bogie.

Last night’s second set began with Taylor Goldsmith fronting “Alabama Getaway.” Grahame Lesh then belted out the late era Grateful Dead gem “Liberty” and a well-jammed version of the John Perry Barlow/Bob Weir co-written “Let It Grow.” Both Stuart and Jennifer shined on the ensuing “Eyes Of The World.” Hartswick sang a verse and added trumpet accents throughout the tune. A pretty “The Wheel” rolled out of “Eyes” and led into “Standing On The Moon.” Taylor Goldsmith was tasked with singing the Hunter/Garcia ballad.

The group picked the energy up and changed the vibe with a rousing “Not Fade Away.” All three guitarists traded licks and engaged in triple harmonies. “The Music Never Stopped” closed out Monday’s second set. Phil encouraged the audience to become organ donors as he addressed the crowd at the beginning of the encore. The ensemble then delivered a 10-minute, horn-driven “Truckin'” sung by Grahame Lesh to end the concert.

Watch most of last night’s first set via fan-shot video below: