Phil Lesh and FriendsLive at Summerfest - July 4, 2008

Well, those of us going to 10,000 Lakes Festival in northern Minnesota later this month got a delicious taste of things to come.  Phil Lesh and Friends put on a great couple sets at Summerfest on July 4th.  I like this line-up of Phriends a lot. . . 

Phil came out playing one of the wildest looking bass guitars I've ever seen.  

They opened with one of my favorites - Shakedown Street.  Here's the full setlist:

Set 1: Shakedown Street, Pride Of Cucamonga, Me And My Uncle, Gone Wandering, Sittin On Top Of The World, Loser, Bertha

Set 2: Golden Road, Don't Let Me Down, St. Stephen, William Tell Bridge, The Eleven, The Wheel (tease), Wharf Rat, The Eleven, Scarlet Begonias, I Know You Rider, Sugar Magnolia, E: Ripple

I became a fan of Jackie Greene at this show.  He's a good guitar player and a soulful singer.  He filled the lead vocals and guitar space nicely.

Jackie Greene and Larry Campbell duelled brilliantly.

What can you say about Larry Campbell?  He's a journeyman guitar player and everything he plays is ultra-tasty.

Steve Molitz on the Moog.  

Yes, Phil's fretboard is really glowing.

Hope you enjoyed the show - and see you at 10KLF!

Phil Lesh and Friends - Summer Tour

June 27, 2008 - Mister Bill

Phil Lesh and Friends will soon be hitting festivals in our region with their Summer Jamboree tour. Phil's shows are really entertaining - daringly improvisational; and with fluid, yet tight performances. And he always plays with a fresh cast of incredible musicians. The current line-up of phriends includes Jackie Greene, Larry Campbell, Steve Molitz(Particle) and John Molo - who has been the only constant in Phil & Friends - other than Phil, of course. Here's an interesting interviewwith John from dead.net. There are a couple things I really like about seeing Phil Lesh these days: 1. I get to see him sing ... I was one of those fans in the Seventies who would call out to "Make Phil Sing" - which followed the misguided "Let Phil Sing!" campaign. I saw the Grateful Dead many times through the late 70's and early 80's - but never once saw Phil sing. (I guess there was a stretch of 700+ shows where he did not.) 2. It's fun to watch Phil lead his ever changing band of great musicians. I was confused the first time I saw him speaking into the mic without hearing him. When I realized that he was talking to the band members in their ear monitors and offering musical direction, it all made sense. (See Molo's description of this direction in the interview.) 3. I love the songs in the Grateful Dead canon. And Phil obviously continues to enjoy playing them too. I will be catching Phil Lesh and Friends soon - at both Summerfest and 10,000 Lakes Festival.  How about you? He'll also be at the Rothbury Music Festival! Do you wonder what the new line-up sounds like? You can listen/download a very hot recent show at archive.org  - June 21, 2008 at BOA Pavillion in Boston, Mass.   Enjoy... Photo credit: Scott Beale / Laughing Squid