Leslie Mendelson Joins Steve Kimock & Friends At City Winery NYC
Stream audio of the full concert and watch Leslie guest on “Deep Elem Blues” and “The Maker.”
By Scott Bernstein Aug 15, 2022 • 12:15 pm PDT

Steve Kimock & Friends began a three-night Northeast run with a concert at City Winery NYC on Friday. Longtime New York City resident and frequent Kimock collaborator Leslie Mendelson sat in with the band during their second set.
Leslie Mendelson was a member of guitarist Steve Kimock‘s KIMOCK project from 2016 and 2018 and played with a number of the guitarist’s other bands over the same time period. The singer-songwriter augmented Steve Kimock, bassist Andy Hess, keyboardist/vocalist Jeff Kazee, drummer John Kimock and guitarist/percussionist/vocalist Billy Goodman on vocals and keys after the “Wake Me, Shake Me” that opened Friday’s second set for the traditional “Deep Elem Blues,” a song played by the Grateful Dead from their formation through 1983.
Mendelson returned following a partial “Good Shepherd” to sing and play keys on the Daniel Lanois classic “The Maker.” Steve Kimock brought the song to a powerful conclusion with a sizzling guitar solo.
Check out video of Leslie Mendelson teaming with Steve Kimock & Friends captured by videographer Scott Gibson below:
Deep Elem Blues
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The Maker
The guest appearance came as part of a night in which the guitarist and his latest Steve Kimock & Friends lineup mixed originals and covers. “It’s Up To You,” “Mother’s Song,” “Ice Cream” and “Tongue N’ Groove” were among the former, while takes on Howlin’ Wolf’s “Who’s Been Talking,” Jimmy Cliff’s “Many Rivers To Cross” and Noah Lewis’ “Big Railroad Blues” were among the latter. Additionally, Kimock took time before “Ice Cream” to reminisce about performing at defunct NYC club Wetlands Preserve.
Stream an audience recording taped by Fred Nicolois below:
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Setlist (via Archive.org)
Set One: Who’s Been Talking, It’s Up To You, Johnny Too Bad, Many Rivers To Cross, Seventh Son, Mother’s Song
Set Two: Wake Me Shake Me, Deep Elem Blues*, Good Shepherd (First Verse Only), The Maker*, Ice Cream, Big Railroad Blues, Tongue N’ Groove