Phil Lesh & Friends opened up their East Coast tour at The Capitol Theatre last night — the first of four shows this weekend. Lesh's line-up included guitarists Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars) Anders Osborne, and Grahame Lesh were joined by special guest Larry Campbell along with drummer Tony Leone (Ollabelle) and Jason Crosby on keyboards. The band took the stage for two incredible sets of deep cuts, covers, and two encores that had the Halloween Night crowd dancing and rocking. The lovely Teresa Williams, who was wearing a "Long Black Veil," also joined in with her impressive vocal talent.

The jams, guitar work, and keyboards were fresh, outstandingly complemented by the additional guest guitar and violin. The vocal arrangements and harmonies of this new line-up made the rarely played setlist a favorite, plus a healthy dose of choice covers of The Band seemed vibrant and was enthusiastically embraced by the crowd. Personal favorites of mine last night was the killer version of Neil Young's "Cortez the Killer" and the encore "Chest Fever" but there was such a complete overload of my best and favorite songs I find it hard to pick what was the highlight — the entire show!

Piles of punkins adorned the stage from the Phil Lesh & Friends "Cap-o-Lantern" Pumpkin Carving Contest. Fan costumes included dancing bears and plush animals in a variety of shapes and sizes, as well as most of my favorite Disney princess characters. Hats off to Cruella and her Dalmatian escort, Cleopatra, the Big Scary Clown Head Guy; Mr. President Lincoln; the Horney Helmet Viking Warrior Guy dancing with the Milk Maid in Stripper Boots, and all the unusual vampires, ghosts, fairies, zombies, skeletons, and kitty cats. And hey you too, the Guitar Wielding Terrapin Turtle Dude who made a brief guest appearance on stage. Thanks to all of you for making a great show even that much better and memorable. With Phil at the wheel, it just keeps getting better and better every year. Last night's show was quite a start to this tour. Looking forward to tonight's second show to see what happens next! 10.31.2013 Phil Lesh & Friends The Capitol Theatre Set I Big Railroad Blues Caledonia Mission Walkin Blues The Weight Brown Eyed Women And It Stoned Me Deal Set II Who Do You Love NFA We Can Talk Wheel Two Trains Running Scarlet Other One Rollin & Tumblin Cortez FOTM E: Long Black Veil Chest Fever  

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