In a show of spiritual continuity and sincere reverence for his fellow bass great Phil Lesh, Oteil Burbridge and his band Oteil & Friends delivered two moving performances at Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver, bookending the run with the Lesh-penned Grateful Dead classic “Unbroken Chain”.
The weekend’s opener on Friday set the tone with a stirring rendition of the sentimental tune. Known for its introspective lyrics and complex arrangement, the song was handled with delicate precision by Oteil and his band comprised of Melvin Seals, Steve Kimock, Jason Crosby, John Kimock, Tom Guarna, and Lamar Williams, Jr. Stepping into Lesh’s shoes, Oteil has developed an intuitive understanding of the Dead’s vast musical landscape through his years with Dead & Company. His approach has always been rooted in a deep emotional connection, and as he opened with “Unbroken Chain”, it was clear that this was a celebration of Lesh’s life and lasting influence.
Both nights leaned into the slower, more contemplative side of the Grateful Dead’s songbook, choosing tracks with reflective lyrics and layered emotion. Friday’s setlist included the Jerry Garcia Band staple “My Sisters and Brothers” and the ethereal “Dark Star”. Alongside them were covers like “Hillbillies on PCP” by Steve Kimock, who decorated the tune with his melodic genius, followed by “Mother’s Song” by Kimock’s son, drummer John Kimock, and “Dreams” from Oteil’s former gig with the Allman Brothers Band.
Oteil, an inherently soulful vocalist, lent his rich voice to the Dead’s more lyrically heavy compositions, infusing them with a raw, heartfelt passion. Each line of “So Many Roads” felt like a conversation with the past, resonating with an emotional weight that only life on the road could bring. The band also played keyboardist Jason Crosby‘s signature mashup of the Grateful Dead’s “Friend of the Devil” and Nirvana’s “Lithium”, merging the two distinct artists with a sense of playfulness and sincerity.
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Saturday’s show carried on the homage with a striking mix of Dead favorites and covers, weaving between genres while staying rooted in the world of the Dead. Jerry Garcia tunes like “Run for the Roses” and “Cats Under the Stars” were seamlessly woven alongside Allman Brothers classics like “Blue Sky” and “Whipping Post”, showcasing Oteil’s deep ties to both bands. An encore of “Unbroken Chain” closed out the weekend, a bookend to Friday’s opener and a fitting tribute to Lesh’s indelible mark on the music scene where Oteil has found his home.
Through two nights of music, Oteil honored Lesh, as well as Garcia and his former ABB bandleader Gregg Allman, with a reverence that was palpable. As the final notes of “Unbroken Chain” faded, it was clear to the audience that they had witnessed something special: a tribute from one bassist to another, bound together by an unbroken chain of music, memory, and love.
Click below to view fan-shot videos and a gallery of photos from Oteil & Friends at Cervantes’ courtesy of photographer Brad Niederman.
Oteil will return to the stage this weekend at Golden Road Festival in Sanger, CA and is booked to join his Dead & Company bandmates Bob Weir, Jeff Chimenti, and Jay Lane, along with Goose guitarist Rick Mitarotonda, Sturgill Simpson, Wolf Bros bassist Don Was, and more at Dead Ahead Festival in January. Find a full list of shows and ticketing details on his website.
Oteil & Friends – “Hillbillies On PCP” (Steve Kimock) – 11/1/24
[Video: starman2112 rush]
Setlist: Oteil & Friends | Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom | Denver, CO | 11/1/24
Set One: Unbroken Chain (Grateful Dead), My Sisters and Brothers (Jerry Garcia Band), Hillbillies on PCP (Steve Kimock), Mother’s Song (John Kimock), Dreams (The Allman Brothers Band), That’s What Love Will Make You Do (Little Milton), Dark Star (Grateful Dead), Love and War
Set Two: Monk Funk, Rubin and Cherise (Jerry Garcia Band), No More Doubt (Oteil & the Peacemakers), New River Train (Traditional), Time For the Sun to Rise (Earl King), Friend of the Devil / Lithium (Grateful Dead / Nirvana mashup), Minglewood Blues (Cannon’s Jug Stompers), Every Hungry Woman (The Allman Brothers Band)
Setlist: Oteil & Friends | Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom | Denver, CO | 11/2/24
Set One: Too Many Times (Oteil & the Peacemakers), Run for the Roses (Jerry Garcia), Fixin’ to Die Blues (Bukka White), Tore Up Over You (The Midnighters), So Many Roads (Grateful Dead), Magnificent Sanctuary Band (Donny Hathaway), Rooster (Oteil & the Peacemakers), Whipping Post (The Allman Brothers Band)
Set Two: Blue Sky > Franklin’s Tower > Blue Sky (The Allman Brothers Band / Grateful Dead), Slipknot! (Grateful Dead), Gambler’s Conceit (Jason Crosby), Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan), Love and War, Cats Under the Stars (Jerry Garcia Band), Mighty High (Mighty Clouds of Joy)
Encore: Unbroken Chain (Grateful Dead)
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