Over the past six months Phil Lesh And The Terrapin Family Band have been experimenting with an expanded lineup that features Alex Koford moving from his old spot behind the drums to guitar, Nathan Graham on drums and vocalist Elliott Peck. Last night, the expanded lineup played a “West Coast Family Reunion” show at Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael, California.
Phil, Alex, Nathan, Elliott, guitarists Grahame Lesh and Ross James and keyboardist Jason Crosby began Thursday’s show with an expansive “Playing In The Band” sung by Koford. Grahame then led the group on “No More Do I” from the Phil Lesh Quintet days. James had his first turn in the spotlight for “West L.A. Fadeaway” ahead of a “China Cat Sunflower” > “Mr. Charlie” pairing. Elliott Peck sang “Mr. Charlie” and the “Eyes Of The World” that followed. Phil and the band concluded the opening stanza with a run of “Stella Blue” > “Throwing Stones” > “New Speedway Boogie.”
Last night’s second set opened with a jam that eventually turned into “Dark Star.” Phil, Grahame and Alex traded vocal duties throughout as they did on “The Wheel.” The Grateful Dead bassist then led “Unbroken Chain,” one of his signature songs. Up next was “Help On The Way” > “Slipknot!” The group went on to perform the original “The River Song”. Another round of “Slipknot!” jamming gave way to “Let It Grow.” Koford then welcomed Elliott and Nathan “as the newest extended family members” as per Deadheadland. The ensemble lit into “Viola Lee Blues” to end the set and encored with “Samson & Delilah.” Watch pro-shot video of both set openers thanks to nugs.tv:
Playing In The Band > No More Do I…
Dark Star
Setlist (via Deadheadland)
Set One: Playing In The Band ak > No More Do I gl > West LA Fadeaway rj > China Cat Sunflower ak > Mr Charlie ep, Eyes Of The World ep, Stella Blue ak > Throwing Stones rj > New Speedway Boogie ep
Set Two: Space > Dark Star pl gl ak > The Wheel all, Unbroken Chain pl, Help On The Way gl > Slipknot! > The River Song gl > Slipknot! > Let It Grow gl (with Mexicali teases), Viola Lee Blues all
Encore: Samson & Delilah
