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Phil Lesh & Friends
April 15, 2001

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Concert Review
by Kelly Ladd
Someone once said that music was the closest expression one could get to God. If that is true, then Phil Lesh and Friends were speaking God’s language.

I was first introduced to the Grateful Dead two years after Jerry passed on. With that said, this was my first opportunity to experience the closest one can get to a real Dead show nowadays. It was cool to sit back and think of Phil's legendary background— Ashbury Park, the Summer of Love, and the many tours we all hear stories about.

Phil and his Friends, guitarists Jimmy Herring and Warren Haynes, drummer John Molo, and keyboardist Rob Barraco started out with the Lesh-written Grateful Dead song "Unbroken Chain." Although the lyrics were smooth, it was all about the music, man. Just pure good music—sweet melodies and captivating riffs. From the first song, you could tell these guys knew what they were doing. The sound isn't comparable to today's music, where the basic structure of the song is created to be below the overpowering words. Like all of the selections for the night, low-key lyrics were used as another instrument to be weaved in and out, framing the song.

After "Unbroken Chain," the group of friends switched gears and played the classic Martha Reeves cover song "Dancin' in the Streets" like the Dead did "back in the day." Instantly, the crowd waved their arms in the air, danced in the aisles and sang along. After a few verses sung by the spunky keyboardist Rob Barraco, the band left the original song behind and made it their own. The guitar riffs were so psychedelic, you could see the colors.

For Easter Sunday, Hard Rock Live was given a cozy, comfortable, laid-back feel. Two large area rugs lined the stage floor, while a kaleidoscope of lights danced on the large backdrop. The band jammed as if they were home, hanging out in their living room with their shoes off, smiling, feeding into each other's rhythms. It was beautiful to watch raw, organic, real music being created right on stage. In fact Alex Katsaros of Orlando said, "What really kept me on my toes was the broad range of music influences that the band was capable of exploring live. When the time came for an encore, I was awestruck with anticipation as I thought to myself, 'Wow, they could come out with anything...what could it be next?'"

Once the first few chords of the classic Dead song "Brown-Eyed Woman" escaped into the smoke-filled air, cheers of joy filled the venue. It was fun to watch the crowd's excitement grow as they sang every word to the song— "...the bottle was dusty, but the liquor was clean..." "Bird Song" was followed by the energetic "Celebration" and the band exited the stage for a well-deserved intermission.

The musty-sweet smell of patchouli oil filled Hard Rock Live's lobby, while fathers with long dreads showed off their new babies. Tie-dyed fans mingled, met new friends, and caught up with old ones who they may not have seen since the last show or tour. Everyone was friendly, looking each other in the eye.

When Phil returned, he brought the spirit of the 60's back with him. The classic 1967 Cream song "Sunshine of Your Love" was a crowd favorite. Lead guitarist Warren Haynes, who also worked with the Allman Brothers and wrote million-dollar songs for Garth Brooks and George Jones, took control showing off his impressive vocal and electrifying guitar skills.

Each song played, "Keep on Growin'," "Lady with a Fan," and "Terrapin Station," took us into Phil's stream of consciousness. I went places I've never been before— the peaks of snowy mountains, deep inside echoing canyons, miles beneath the ocean's rhythmic surface, and in a flower-filled meadow. The last song "Into the Mystic" was strong and creatively crafted, but the Deadheads were alive and not ready for the night to end.

Phil generously gave the crowd what they asked for. The night's encores consisted of "Going Down the Road Feeling Bad" transitioning into "Rock 'n' Roll Blues" and then back into "Going Down the Road." To top it off, Phil and his talented Friends performed the song that said it all, "We Bid You Goodnight," and left the stage. I went home with a fulfilled and satisfied feeling of finally experiencing the sound of one hand clapping, plus I got a few new crystals that I traded for my ticket stub to add to my collection. What a night...Peace!

Phil Lesh Set List 4/15/01
"Unbroken Chain" (Grateful Dead—From the Mars Hotel [74])
"Dancin' in the Street" (Martha Reeves cover [74])
"Brown-Eyed Woman" (Grateful Dead—Europe '72 [72])
"Bird Song" (Grateful Dead—Garcia [72])
"Celebration"
"Sunshine of Your Love" (Cream cover [67])
"Keep on Growin'"
"Forest of Fenario"
"Lady With a Fan" (Grateful Dead—So Far [87])
"Stella Blue" (Grateful Dead—Steal Your Face [76])
"Terrapin Station" (Grateful Dead—Terrapin Station [77])
"Into the Mystic"

ENCORE
"Going Down the Road Feeling Bad" (Grateful Dead)
"Rock 'n' Roll Blues"
"Going Down the Road Feeling Bad" (Grateful Dead)
"We Bid You Goodnight" (Grateful Dead)


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