Oteil Burbridge kicked off a series of “Oteil & Friends” shows with a performance at New York City’s Le Poisson Rouge. Backed by a band that included Melvin Seals, Alfreda Gerald, John Kadlecick, Jay Lane and Weedie Braimah, as well as Joe Russo’s Almost Dead guitarist Scott Metzger filling in for usual guitarist Eric Krasno, the widely adored bassist treated the sold out crowd to a stunning performance that showcased a few choice cuts from the Grateful Dead canon.
Among those tunes was a terrific rendition of the Go To Heaven classic “Althea”, a fan favorite that was a live staple during the latter half of the Grateful Dead’s career. Oteil & Friends also dove into “Lay Me Down” (one day after Oteil offered up a solo version during his “BackStory Presents” show) as well as a lively take on “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” that put Gerald front and center, recalling old Jerry Garcia Band performances of the classic Marvin Gaye tune.
Oteil & Friends will continue their run with shows at Brooklyn Bowl in New York City (January 16th) and the Theatre of Living Arts in Philadelphia (January 17th). Like the Le Poisson Rouge show on the 15th, Metzger will fill join the band on guitar at the Brooklyn gig before Eric Krasno returns to the lineup for one final show in Philly before Oteil gets ready to head to Mexico with Dead & Company for “Playing In The Sand“. To keep up with Oteil Burbridge’s various projects, head to his website.
Below, you can watch videos of Oteil Burbridge & Friends playing “Althea” and “How Sweet It Is (To Be Lived By You)” at New York City’s Le Poisson Rouge on January 15th, 2018 via YouTube user Sean Roche:
“Althea“
“How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)”
[H/T: jam.buzz]
[Cover photo via: Mark Dershowitz Photo]