Phil Lesh and Friends
June 28, 2006
Alltel Pavilion
Raleigh, N.C.
I had seen the Grateful Dead a number of times over the years. I caught "The Other Ones" in Greensboro about 5 years ago, and saw "The Dead" in Charlotte a couple years back.
Each time, the only thing really missing was Jerry Garcia. So, I was interested to see Phil Lesh & Friends, and how they sounded in comparison.
To put it simply, it was different. It's not the Grateful Dead, or even The Dead. Instead of leaning toward spacey jams, the band leans more toward rock and blues.
"Not that there's anything wrong with that," to quote Seinfeld.
The show was high-energy and had the crowd dancing and singing for the duration of their nearly three-hour set. It just wasn't The Dead.
I say this because my most recent show was The Dead featuring Warren Haynes that absolutely tore the roof off in Charlotte a couple years ago. It was enjoyable in its own way, and I'd go again if given the chance. It was good to "scratch the itch."
Most in the crowd didn't mind though - Dancing in the aisles, juggling on the lawn, singing their hearts out.
Dead bassist Lesh was joined on stage by Joan Osborne, Greg Osby, John Molo, Rob Barraco, Barry Sless and Larry Campbell.
That's not to say it wasn't a good show. It took them a little time to get warmed up, but even Lesh noticed the crowd up and moving and singing along through "Tennessee Jed."
"There now," he told the crowd. "That's much better."
"Friend of the Devil" featured Sless on mandolin and was nicely done.
Osborne's vocals were in fine form all night. While she may not have the easy-going tone for some classic Dead tunes, she sure rips apart blues and rock numbers.
She seemed a little off for "Loose Lucy," but I thought she had the power to pull off "Gimme Shelter" to close out the second set.
"The Weight" was a nice way for the band to close out their two-hour-and-45-minute set.
Set list
Set 1
Good Lovin'
Tennessee Jed
Friend of the Devil (into)
Hardest Part
Next Time You See Me
Bertha
Set 2
Loose Lucy>
Bo Diddley>
Shakedown Street
They Love Each Other
Unbroken Chain>
Death Don't Have No Mercy
Gimme Shelter
Encore
The Weight
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at June 29, 2006 9:26 AM
Comments
too bad you didnt go to the asheville show ;)
Posted by: billy at June 29, 2006 7:16 PM
That was Larry Campbell playing mandolin on Friend of the Devil. You may remember him from his years as multi-instrumentalist for Dylan's Neverending Tour Band (he has shaved his beard off though) Barry Sless played pedal steel all night.
Posted by: Jim at June 30, 2006 9:38 PM
