Oteil Burbridge & Friends continued their tour in support of the Dead & Company/Allman Brothers Band bassist’s new album, Lovely View of Heaven, at The Strand Ballroom in Providence, RI on Friday, but the all-star band comprised of Jason Crosby, Duane Betts, Steve and John Kimock, Melvin Seals, and Lamar Williams Jr. didn’t confine themselves to just the Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter ballads featured on the album.
The band opened with “Play It Back” by late organ master Dr. Lonnie Smith before shuffling a mix of tunes from throughout Oteil’s illustrious career, including tunes from his Oteil & the Peacemakers days, and covers of the Dead, Allman Brothers Band, and Bob Dylan‘s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door”. Duane Betts took the lead on his song “Waiting on a Song”, and Jason Crosby displayed his many talents during “Friend of the Lithium Devil”, which heard the multi-instrumentalist sing lyrics from “Friend of the Devil” to the music of Nirvana‘s “Lithium” in addition to playing electric piano and fiddle. Crosby has played the creative mashup with different projects over the years, including Phil Lesh & The Terrapin Family Band. Check out fan-shot footage of the song below.
Click below to view a gallery of photos from Oteil Burbridge & Friends at The Strand Ballroom in Providence, RI courtesy of photographer Joanna Gleason. The tour continues tonight at the hallowed Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY. For a full list of upcoming shows, visit Oteil’s website, and read L4LM‘s interview with him about his new album here.
Oteil Burbridge & Friends – “Friend Of The Lithium Devil” (Grateful Dead Nirvana Mashup) – 9/22/23
[Video: cr8edvids]
Oteil Burbridge & Friends – “Kockin’ On Heaven’s Door” (Bo Dylan) – 9/22/23
[Video: Jim Carty]
Setlist: Oteil Burbridge & Friends | The Strand Ballroom & Theatre | Providence, RI | 9/22/23
Set: Play It Back (Dr. Lonnie Smith), Too Many Times (Oteil & the Peacemakers), Rubin and Cherise (Grateful Dead), New River Train, Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan), Rooster (Oteil & the Peacemakers), Waiting on a Song (Duane Betts), Every Hungry Woman (The Allman Brothers Band), Standing on the Moon (Grateful Dead), Come and Go Blues (The Allman Brothers Band), No More Doubt (Oteil & the Peacemakers), Mighty High (Mighty Clouds of Joy), Time for the Sun, Mother’s Song, Tore Up Over You (Hank Ballard), Friend of the Devil (Grateful Dead), Turn On Your Love Light (Bobby “Blue” Bland)