Oteil Burbridge brought 2018 to an end with a series of shows billed as Oteil & Friends. On New Year’s Eve, the Dead & Company bassist closed out a two-night stand at Brooklyn Bowl with the help of keyboardist Melvin Seals, guiarists Eric Krasno and John Kadlecik, drummer Jay Lane, saxphonist/vocalist Natalie Cressman, trumpeter/vocalist Jennifer Hartswick and percussionist Weedie Braimah. The eight-piece ensemble was also joined by Brandon “Taz” Niederauer shortly after they rang in 2019 for a lengthy stretch during their second set of the night.
The octet looked to “Water In The Desert,” the title track from Burbridge’s 2017 release to open up the celebratory evening. Next, Hartswick stepped up to sing lead on Bob Dylan’s gospel number “Gotta Serve Somebody.” From there, the band would mix Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia Band staples highlighted by a groovy Kadlecik-sung “Scarlet Begonias” and “Rhapsody In Red” from JGB’s Cats Under The Stars LP that featured standout playing from Seals.
“Reuben & Cerise” got the second frame got underway. The much-beloved tune segued into a drums jam that eventually worked its way into “Eyes Of The World.” The Wake Of The Flood cut was used as the band brought in 2019. Shortly after, Niederauer emerged as the now nine-piece band dug in on a rollicking “Turn On Your Lovelight.” The tune worked its way into the instrumental version of “Expressway To Your Heart” that was featured on Booker T & The M.G.’s 1968 album Doin’ Our Thing. Taz remained on stage for takes on Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door,” the Kadlecik-penned “What’s Become Of Mary” and the Dead’s “Bertha.”
Oteil & Friends brought things to a close with a three-song encore looking to Jimmy Cliff’s “Many Rivers To Cross” as the opener. Niederauer was welcomed back into the fold as Krasno delivered “Unconditional Love” from his 2016 solo album Blood From A Stone. Hartswick brought the New Year’s Eve show to close with a powerhouse take on “Piece Of My Heart.” Listen to full show audio taped by Jeff Travitz below:
Setlist
Set I: Water In The Desert, Gotta Serve Somebody, Cats Under The Stars, Waiting For A Miracle, Scarlet Begonias > Rhapsody In Red, That’s What Love Will Make You Do
Set II: Reuben & Cerise > Drums > Eyes Of The World > Expressway To Your Heart Jam, Happy New Year, Turn On Your Lovelight*, Expressway To Your Heart*, Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door*, What’s Become Of Mary*, Bertha*
Encore: Many Rivers To Cross, Unconditional Love*, Piece Of My Heart
