Voodoo Dead Features Surprise Guests In New Orleans

Voodoo Dead brought together the core band of Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann, guitarists Steve Kimock and Keller Williams along with keyboardist Jeff Chimenti and Widespread Panic bassist Dave Schools. Following Friday’s first of three sold-out shows at Republic in New Orleans, the five-piece was joined by a number of special guests -both announced and unannounced -for Saturday and Sunday’s performances.

[Photo by Michael Weintrob]

On Saturday NOLA resident and frequent Kreutzmann collaborator Papa Mali swung by to augment Voodoo Dead on his own “Sugarland” and the Dead classic “Wharf Rat.” Then, moe. guitarist Al Schnier made a surprise appearance with the band on “Deal.” The second set saw NOLA legend George Porter Jr. take over for Schools on bass for “Sugaree” and “In The Midnight Hour.” Sunday’s show started with a surprise guest spot from keyboardist Marco Benevento. Marco added to “Tu-Ber-Cu-Lucas And The Sinus Blues” and “Philadelphia Mambo.” The final set of the run began with Col. Bruce Hampton leading the band through “Fixin’ To Die” and also saw Porter Jr. guest on “Eyes Of The World” and “Turn On Your Lovelight.” Sunday’s show and the run came to a close with an “I Know You Rider” encore.

Setlists

May 2

Set One: Cold Rain & Snow, Man Smart Woman Smarter, Sugarland (w/ Papa Mali), Wharf Rat (w/ Papa Mali), Deal (w/ Al Schnier), Shakedown Street

Set Two: Bird Song, Come Together > Eleanor Rigby, Promised Land, Sugaree (w/ George Porter Jr.), Midnight Hour (w/ George Porter Jr.)

Encore: Not Fade Away

May 3

Set One: Sinus Blues (w/ Marco Benevento) > Philadelphia Mambo (w/ Marco Benevento), Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Franklin’s Tower, Bertha

Set Two: Fixin’ To Die (w/ Col. Bruce Hampton), Feel Like A Stranger, The Other One, Eyes Of The World (w/ George Porter Jr.) > Turn On Your Lovelight (w/ George Porter Jr.)

Encore: I Know You Rider