Return To Full-Time Status: Watch James Casey Sing ‘Dear Prudence’ With Phil Lesh & Friends In Connecticut

Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh concluded Phil Lesh & Friends‘ first multi-venue run since July 2022 at Westville Music Bowl in New Haven, Connecticut on Sunday after the kick off show at Boston’s Leader Bank Pavilion on Friday was cut short due to weather followed by an appearance at the South Bay Music Festival on Saturday. The run saw Trey Anastasio Band saxophonist and Phil Lesh “Friend” James Casey returning to full-time status and delivering a gorgeous vocal performance on The Beatles’ “Dear Prudence” in New Haven.

The lineup for the weekend consisted of Phil, Casey, guitarists Eric Krasno and Grahame Lesh, keyboardist Jason Crosby, trumpeter Jennifer Hartswick and drummer John Molo. The ensemble kicked off the night with a “Dark Star” chorus before jumping into a jam that led into the classic Grateful Dead pairing of “China Cat Sunflower” and “I Know You Rider.” “Chinacat” saw some sweet “guitarmonies” from Grahame and Eric with the latter singing lead on the psychedelic classic. “Rider” would surpass the 10-minute mark as did the ensuing “Loser,” sung by Grahame.

Following a Hartsiwck-led “Deep Elem Blues,” Casey stepped to the mic to sing “Dear Prudence.” While James was only able to participate in the encores at recent Trey Anastaio Band concerts due to health concerns, the saxophonist/vocalist was back in full swing with Phil & Friends over the weekend. After a visibly emotional and soaring vocal performance, Casey turned the White Album favorite over to Kraz on guitar — who then sang “They Love Each Other” to wrap the first frame.

To launch the second set, James led the beloved “Help On The Way,” followed by its forever intertwined instrumental companion “Slipknot.” A blooming “Let It Grow,” with Grahame stepping back to the mic to helm the Bob Weir tune, stretched to over 15-minutes out of “Slip.” Next, JHa led the band through “Scarlet Begonias” ahead of a return to “Dark Star,” with Phil on lead vocals, for a +20-minute ride followed by a substantial “Playing In The Band,” captained by Kraz. Following “Phil’s Donor Rap,” the ensemble concluded the evening with a pretty “Brokedown Palace.”

Watch a clip of Casey on “Dear Prudence” and listen to the complete show below tapped by Cam Keough:

!function ($) {

$(function(){ // document ready

$(‘.video-sticky’).stickybits(
{
stickyBitStickyOffset: getNavbarsHeight()
}
);

});

}(window.jQuery);

.video-content .panel-body {
padding-top:40px;
padding-bottom:40px;
}
.video-sticky {
z-index: 999;
background-color: #fcfcfc;
}
.honorable-mentions {
padding-left: 0;
margin-left: 1.375em;
}
.honorable-mentions li {
margin-bottom:5px;
}
.honorable-mentions .fa-li {
margin-top:-2px;
}

.video-summary-wrap table.glance-table.jambase-videos-songs-table{
background-color: #e2e8ef;
}

Setlist

Source: JamBase.com