On Thursday night at Brooklyn Bowl, Phil Lesh & The Terrapin Family Band graced the stage of the now iconic venue in Williamsburg. Having just inked a deal with co-owner Peter Shapiro to perform 30 shows at the Capitol Theatre, appear at the Lock’n Festival, and give an April 20th performance at the soon-to-be-open Las Vegas expansion of the Bowl, over the course of 2014, Lesh rang in the celebration of it all with a special, intimate performance at Brooklyn Bowl.
Lesh performed with the Terrapin Family Band at Sullivan Hall (which abruptly closed its doors on Thursday) early this past summer, and while no one is taking away anything from those performances, it seems a few months of practice really helped the group, made up of Lesh, his sons Grahame and Brian, Ross James and Alex Koford, come together as one, tight unit. While there were still a few moments of uncertainty (or so it seemed) this was a solid show, with quite a few shining moments.
Opening with an energized version of The Band‘s “Up On Cripple Creek,” the crowd immediately joined in the revelry, singing along to the chorus. The group then went into a “The Wheel>Long Road>The Wheel” segue that was played really well, especially the “Long Road” segment, which is an original by Grahame Lesh, and is an absolutely beautiful song.
At this point, Phil introduced guitarist Eric Krasno (Lettuce/Soulive) into the mix for a take on the Ross James cover “Henry Hill>Playin’ In The Band.” After their first encounter of playing together, along with Furthur drummer Joe Russo, at Central Park’s Jazz & Colors for a 30-minute impromptu session last weekend, it seems the Grateful Dead bassist has found a new friend; let’s hope this happens again in the future (perhaps at one of the 30 Capitol Theatre shows).
While we got a solid serving of Dead tunes, and several covers throughout the night, including Joan Baez‘s “Fennario” and Fleetwood Mac‘s “Second Hand News,” the band sprinkled in originals as well, the aforementioned Grahame Lesh tune “Long Road” and the Alex Koford number “Keeps Me Guessing” which are both solid songs that fit perfectly within the set.
What the elder Lesh is doing with the Terrapin Family Band is adding yet another page to the storied Grateful Dead tradition; it’s keeping the spirit of the music alive for years to come. These young guys understand that Americana, folk, country, blues, bluegrass, sound that the Dead were able to weave in and out of so effortlessly, all while holding on to that improvisational-based psychedelia. And it’s certain that they comprehend the privilege of playing with someone of Lesh’s legendary stature (even if 2 of the members are his sons).
A prime example of this was “Wharf Rat” and the jam that came out of that. Inviting Krasno back out, you had four guitars (both younger Lesh’s, Krasno, James) seemingly entrenched in a cacophony of sound to the untrained ear, along with bass and drums, and they came out of it on top, with what was possibly the best jam of the night.
Krasno stayed out for the rest of the set, which included a rocking “Sugar Magnolia,” “Cassidy,” and ended with “Goin’ Down The Road Feelin’ Bad.” The band returned for an encore of “Help On The Way>Slipknot!>Franklin’s Tower” which had the place going off. A version of “Attics of My Life” with Ross James on acoustic, and the rest of the group singing along in unison, ended the night in fitting fashion.
The opportunity to see Phil play with his sons, and a younger generation of Dead family, is truly something special. As he prepares to retire from the bus life, and concentrate more on residencies, these are moments that as a fan, you have to take a step back and realize what you are witnessing and cherish. A father and his sons on stage together, making music that generations of fans have enjoyed; it doesn’t get much better than that.
– Chris Meyer
[All photos courtesy of Vernon Webb/Photography By Vernon Webb]
For a full gallery of pictures from the show, click here.
Set: Up On Cripple Creek, The Wheel > Long Road> The Wheel, Henry Hill^ > Playin’ In The Band^, Ramble On Rose, Fennario, Keeps Me Guessing, Second Hand News > Samson & Delilah, Wharf Rat^, Sugar Magnolia^ > Cassidy^, Goin’ Down The Road Feelin’ Bad^, Donor Rap
Encore: Help On the Way> Slipknot!> Franklin’s Tower, Attics Of My Life