Phil Lesh returned to The Capitol Theatre on Sunday to log another milestone with his 100th show at the Port Chester, NY venue since it reopened in 2012.
Prior to the start of the show, venue owner Peter Shapiro took the stage to say a few words. In 1970 and 1971, the Grateful Dead played The Capitol Theatre a staggering 18 times. Over the next 40 years, however, no member of the Grateful Dead headlined The Cap as it fell into a state of decay.
That changed in 2012 when The Capitol Theatre reopened under jam impresario Peter Shapiro. Recalling when Lesh returned to The Cap for the first time in 2012 for a four-night run, Shapiro remembered, “That was a really special night to bring that energy back ’cause that’s why we brought this theater back to be a home for the music and for you guys.”
As is tradition for sports champions, pop stars, and even another jam band over at Madison Square Garden, Shapiro honored Lesh’s tremendous achievement by raising a banner commemorating his 100th show at The Capitol Theatre.
“We thought we’d do what champions get and we’d get him a banner so here it is,” Shapiro said as the placard rose above the stage. “Please welcome for the 100th time…Phil Lesh & Friends.”
For his centennial show at The Cap, Lesh was joined by his Friends Rick Mitarotonda (guitar/vocals), John Medeski (keyboards), Grahame Lesh (guitar/vocals), Nicki Bluhm (percussion/vocals), James Casey (saxophone/vocals), Katie Jacoby (violin), and John Molo (drums).
The young Goose guitarist, who is becoming a regular fixture of Lesh’s shows, opened the evening with a leisurely “Tennessee Jed”. Phil’s kin Grahame took on “Bertha” next to really get the place moving, throwing in a slick guitar solo to get the coals burning for the long night ahead. Violinist Katie Jacoby also got a chance to make her first statement of an impressive performance to come. This jam went all the way around the stage, allowing everyone a chance to introduce themselves.
Vocalist Nicki Bluhm offered a sultry version of Bobby “Blue” Bland‘s “Turn On Your Lovelight”. A far softer touch than the Ronald “Pigpen” McKernan or even Bob Weir versions of old, girls ran this one between Bluhm’s vocal command and Jacoby sliding in and out with searing violin runs. The ensuing improvisation highlighted the communal nature of Phil & Friends shows where there are lots of seats at the table and plenty to go around for all.
A quick Rick-sung “Me And My Uncle” hit the reset button on a first set that so far hadn’t shied away from wading into the deep end. Properly acclimated, Phil & Friends took the plunge on a “Bird Song” that stretched to the 15-minute mark. With strings, horn, and keys all coming together in symphony, this Phil-sung rendition simply sunk into the historic walls of The Capitol Theatre. Just like New York City, “Ramble On Rose” came next before the man of the hour took back the mic for a set-closing “Box Of Rain”.
The Terrapin Station suite got the second set rolling down the tracks, with the locomotive going all the way to the Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter addendum “Jack O’Roses”. The Grateful Dead lyricist stated that “Jack O’Roses”—the title track to his 1980 LP—was the seventh song of the “Terrapin Station” movement, though the Dead did not include it on their 1977 album and never performed the mournful number live.
James Casey’s interminable spirit guided the band through “Touch of Grey”, only to merge onto the transnational interstate for “West L.A. Fadeaway”. Taking the exit for “Shakedown Street”, the journey took a detour into an unorthodox second set “Mississippi Half-Step Toodeloo”. Catching a red-eye back to the West Coast, the band picked up a reggae bounce as the sun rose over Bob Weir’s burning shore on “Estimated Prophet”, with “Sugaree” closing out the second set.
Coming back to The Capitol Theatre stage to finish his 100th show, Phil Lesh led his Friends in a salute to all the ladies that are helping make the Dead’s legacy more accessible to all with “Brown Eyed Women”.
Revisit Live For Live Music‘s coverage of Phil Lesh & Friends’ Capitol Theatre run: Wednesday | Friday | Saturday.
Phil Lesh & Friends – Peter Shapiro Introduction, “Tennessee Jed”, “Bertha” [Pro-Shot] – 3/19/23
Phil Lesh & Friends – “Box of Rain” – 3/19/23
[Video: themeboudin]
Phil Lesh & Friends – “Terrapin Station” > “Jack O’Roses” [Pro-Shot] – 3/19/23
Phil Lesh & Friends – The Capitol Theatre – Port Chester, NY – 3/19/23
[Audio: Keith Litzenberger]
Setlist: Phil Lesh & Friends | The Capitol Theatre | Port Chester, NY | 3/19/23
Set One: Tennessee Jed, Bertha, Turn On Your Lovelight (Bobby “Blue” Bland), Me And My Uncle (John Phillips), Bird Song, Ramble On Rose, Box Of Rain
Set Two: Terrapin Station > Jack O’ Roses, Touch Of Grey, West L.A. Fadeaway, Shakedown Street, Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo > Estimated Prophet > Sugaree
Encore: Brown Eyed Women
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