A few hours ago, we got wind that Bob Weir made his way over to the Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville, TN to join his fellow jam compatriots, Phish, in a soundcheck jam. Weir is performing at Nashville’s famed Ryman Auditorium tomorrow night, October 19th, and made his way into town a day early to take in some Phish.
Though the band played “Walkin’ Blues” during the soundcheck jam, the song was nowhere to be found during the actual show. Weir emerged halfway through the second set of Phish’s show, and the band settled in with some noodling that wound its way into a Phish debut of the famed song “Samson And Delilah,” with Weir on lead vocals. Though not technically a Grateful Dead song, it’s hard to associate “Samson And Delilah” with anyone but the Grateful Dead.
Samson and Delilah with Bob Weir
— Phish: From The Road (@Phish_FTR) October 19, 2016
The jams continued as Trey Anastasio led the opening notes of Phish classic, “Twist.” Though Weir didn’t join in on the vocals, he most definitely lent his improvisational guitar abilities to the song. The version passed the 15-minute mark with ease; it’s a rendition that is sure to go down in the jam history books for years to come.
Twist with Bob Weir
— Phish: From The Road (@Phish_FTR) October 19, 2016
The collaboration continued with Big Boat original “Miss You,” though with a slight change: Weir on lead vocals! Who would have expected Bob Weir singing lead vocals on a Phish song, let alone a brand new one? Quite the surprising turn of events!
Miss You with Bob Weir
— Phish: From The Road (@Phish_FTR) October 19, 2016
The collaboration kept on going with a Grateful Dead classic, “West L.A. Fadeaway.” The Grateful Dead original was last played by Phish in 2000, naturally during the last time that Weir sat in with Phish back 16 years ago. The song marked Phish’s first true Grateful Dead cover since then, but it wouldn’t be the last… the band then jumped into a debut of “Playing In The Band.” Trey sang the lead vocals, reversing roles with Bob Weir who sang Phish’s “Miss You” just two songs earlier. This was another extended jam session, much to the fans’ delight.
West L.A. Fadeaway with Bob Weir
— Phish: From The Road (@Phish_FTR) October 19, 2016
Playin’ In The Band with Bob Weir
— Phish: From The Road (@Phish_FTR) October 19, 2016
As if the five songs of the set weren’t enough, Phish brought Weir back out for their encore rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Quinn The Eskimo.” Though Weir didn’t sing, he did lend his guitarwork to the great finale. “Quinn” is one of the few covers that made its way into both bands’ extensive catalogs. What an encore!
The extended sit-in naturally brought back memories of Weir and Anastasio’s last large-scale collaboration, “Fare Thee Well.” Songs like “Samson And Delilah,” “West L.A. Fadeaway” and “Playin’ In The Band” were all played during those amazing anniversary celebration of the Grateful Dead. Interestingly, Weir is the first musician to sit in with Phish since Jennifer Hartswick and Natalie Cressman had the honor at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in 2014. Even more interestingly, Phish never really noted Weir’s presence verbally, though musically the reverence was readily apparent.
Check out a few Instagram videos of the sit-in below, and we’ll be sure to continue to update with footage as it becomes available.
[Photo via Music Gypsy Nashville // Instagram]