Phil Lesh celebrated his 84th birthday doing what he does best, playing Grateful Dead music at The Capitol Theatre. The founding Dead bassist returned to his home away from home in Port Chester, NY on Friday for the third night of his five-show residency and—though Lesh was the birthday boy—he had plenty of presents for the sold-out crowd.
The biggest gift of all was when Phil Lesh and Friends put a bow on the concert with an extended encore/mini third set featuring Phish bassist Mike Gordon. When Capitol Theatre owner and jam impresario Peter Shapiro came out to deliver his traditional birthday toast, the cake was hand-delivered by Gordon himself along with Phil’s young grandson Levon. Together, Lesh and Gordo teamed up for a dual-bass attack that rumbled The Cap through Dead staples “Estimated Prophet”, “Let It Grow”, and “Sugar Magnolia”—all originally sung by Lesh’s estranged Dead bandmate Bob Weir. This time around, Mike Gordon handled vocals on the infectiously positive “Sugar Magnolia” for a jovial show closer. Phil and Mike last shared the stage when Gordon came to the Big Bass Bash at Lesh’s Terrapin Crossroads in 2016.
Another of Lesh’s many gifts to the audience was the addition of rising cosmic country gunslinger Daniel Donato for his inaugural Phil & Friends gig. The guitarist joined the established lineup of Phil’s old Friends Jason Crosby, John Molo, Amy Helm, and his “best friend,” son Grahame Lesh, who all performed with him at their previous show on Wednesday. Donato was a fine addition to the herd, taking the lead early with a serene reading of “They Love Each Other” and later helming a rockabilly “Promised Land”, with the 28-year-old’s nubile voice contrasting more road-tested pipes from Helm and the elder Lesh. Alongside the younger Lesh, Donato helped form a symphony of six-strings further bolstering Grahame’s deservedly versatile reputation earned from being able to symbiotically gel with any Friend his father decides to call up for the evening.
Then there was the musical gift of the band’s inspired playing throughout the evening. After charging out of the gate with “Cosmic Charlie”, “They Love Each Other”, and a singalong “Friend of the Devil”, the group went deep in the first set with “Bird Song”. Led by Phil, the vocal performance soared with harmonies from Grahame, Donato, and Helm, with Crosby picking up his fiddle for the ensuing improvisation which wove his strings with those from Grahame and Daniel into a psychedelic tapestry.
In the conspicuously brief 55-minute second set, Phil delivered a touching telling of “Box of Rain” that couldn’t help but prompt reflection on the man Phil was when he wrote that song for his dying father in 1970 to the man he is now over half a century later. Other sonic highlights included the two halves of “Viola Lee Blues” divided in the middle by “Bertha” and finally the climatic, explorative “Eyes of the World” that wrapped the second frame.
Lastly, Lesh of course got his own present ahead of the mini third set. When Shapiro came out to deliver his toast and Lesh’s cake, he showered Lesh with praise and appreciation for his lifetime dedication to searching for the sound, saying “You’re a f–ing inspiration to all of us. You showed us, we all gotta do that when we’re 84.” The effusive Lesh threw it right back at the crowd for a gift of gratitude that keeps on giving.
“Thank you for everything you bring to our music,” Phil said. “This is as much your music as it is ours, because you give us the inspiration to reach for it.”
Check out a gallery of images from photographer Charlie Francis of Phil Lesh & Friends with special guest Mike Gordon at The Capitol Theatre on Friday along with videos and audio. Phil & Friends return to The Capitol Theatre tonight, March 16th, to wrap the five-show residency. Tickets are sold out.
Phil Lesh & Friends — “Cosmic Charlie”, “They Love Each Other” [Pro-Shot] — 3/15/24
Phil Lesh & Friends — “Promised Land” (Chuck Berry), “Box Of Rain” [Pro-Shot] — 3/15/24
Phil Lesh & Friends, Mike Gordon — “Estimated Prophet” — 3/15/24
[Video: monihampton]
Phil Lesh & Friends, Mike Gordon — “Sugar Magnolia” — 3/15/24
[Video: monihampton]
Phil Lesh & Friends — The Capitol Theatre — Port Chester, NY — 3/15/24 — Full Audio
[Audio: cabinetmusic]
Setlist: Phil Lesh & Friends | The Capitol Theatre | Port Chester, NY | 3/15/24
Set One: Cosmic Charlie, They Love Each Other, Friend Of The Devil, Bird Song, Jack-A-Roe, Brokedown Palace
Set Two: Promised Land (Chuck Berry), Box Of Rain, Viola Lee Blues (Cannon’s Jug Stompers), Bertha > Viola Lee Blues, Eyes Of The World
Set Three: Happy Birthday, Estimated Prophet [1], Let It Grow [1], Sugar Magnolia [1]
[1] w/ Mike Gordon
The post Phil Lesh Gives The Gift Of A Mike Gordon-Assisted Surprise Third Set For 84th Birthday At The Capitol Theatre [Photos/Videos/Audio] appeared first on L4LM.
