Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh led Phil Lesh & Friends through the finale of a three-show “This Date In Grateful Dead History” run at Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael, California on Sunday night. Lesh along with guitarists Anders Osborne and Stu Allen, keyboardist Steve Molitz, vocalist Elliott Peck and drummer Nathan Graham ended the run by utilizing the same setlist the Grateful Dead did at Hofheinz Pavilion in Houston on November 18, 1972.
The ensemble kicked off the night with a version of “The Promised Land” sung by Anders Osborne that saw the New Orleans-based musician put extra emphasis on the “Houston town” lyric. Osborne also handled lead vocals on a tender “Sugaree” before Stu Allen had his first turn in the spotlight for “Mexicali Blues.” Allen showed off his versatility by leading the group through a pretty “Loser,” intense “Black Throated Wind,” and spirited “Tennessee Jed.” Grahame Lesh then emerged for a quick romp through “El Paso.” The younger Lesh stuck around to back Allen on “Big Railroad Blues” and his father on “Box Of Rain.” Grahame also contributed to the “China Cat Sunflower” > “I Know You Rider” pairing.
Sunday’s marathon first set continued with a raucous “Beat It On Down The Line” and emotional “Brown Eyed Women.” Grahame returned to the fray to front “Around & Around” and left the core band to finish the frame with “Casey Jones.” Anders Osborne handled lead vocals on the “Sugaree” that opened last night’s second set and bled into “Greatest Story Ever Told.” The band was augmented once again by Grahame Lesh for “He’s Gone” and “Jack Straw.” Molitz shined on the “Deal” that came next with powerful organ blasts. While Grahame stepped off for “Deal,” he emerged to sing lead on “Playing In The Band” and stuck around for the set-closing run of “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo,” “Sugar Magnolia” and “One More Saturday Night.” The night came to a close with an “Uncle John’s Band” encore. Watch pro-shot video of the songs that opened each set thanks to nugs.tv:
The Promised Land
Bertha
Setlist
Set One: The Promised Land, Sugaree, Mexicali Blues, Loser, Black Throated Wind, Tennessee Jed, El Paso*, Big Railroad Blues*, Box Of Rain*, China Cat Sunflower* > I Know You Rider*, Beat It On Down The Line, Brown Eyed Women, Around & Around*, Casey Jones
Set Two: Bertha > Greatest Story Ever Told, He’s Gone*, Jack Straw*, Deal, Playing In The Band*, Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo*, Sugar Magnolia*, One More Saturday Night*
Encore: Uncle John’s Band
* – w/ Grahame Lesh
