reCAP :: Phil Lesh & Friends :: 2015.11.01
On November 1, 1985, the Grateful Dead unleashed a spectacular and eclectic show that was immortalized on Dick’s Picks Volume 21. On the thirtieth anniversary of that show, Phil and Friends accepted the mission of revisiting that concert in its entirety, and from the opening song, it was clear the band would be exploring the tunes, rather than faithfully recreating anything that went down in Richmond, Virginia, thirty years ago.
After a recent health scare, the audience was thrilled to see Phil back in action, and Mr. Lesh was as happy as I’ve ever seen him. The trio of guitar virtuosos, Stanley Jordan, Scott Metzger, and John Kadlecik, traded licks during an avant-garde interpretation of “Dancin’ in the Street,” which segued into “Cold Rain and Snow.” Jordan finished off “Cold Rain” with a jazz-infused fretboard blitz. “Brown-Eyed Women” was an unexpected highlight as the guitarists smoothly traded concise leads, and Phil delighted the crowd by singing, “And it looks like the old man is gettin’ on.” Phil vocal contributions were sparse, yet timely. “Jack Straw” featured three solos. The psychedelic call and response between Jordan and Metzger was the highlight of the opening set.
“Samson and Delilah” kicked off the amazing seven-song pre-drum segment of Richmond revisited. The Cap sang in unison with Johnny K. during “High Time.” The “He’s Gone” jam wondered into the weird confines of the Phil Zone. Jason Crosby’s keyboard work was noteworthy as “He’s Gone” transitioned into “Spoonful.” Scott Metzger shredded a Clapton-inspired solo on this blues classic. The contrasting styles of the guitarists created a rich musical landscape. “Comes a Time,” the third Jerry ballad of this segment, had the crowd swaying in a blissful trance. After a fine Sailor > Saint, the drum solo was skipped. I think we all caught enough of those during our touring days.
Dylan’s “She Belongs to Me” and “Gloria” closed a distinctive set. If my memory serves me well, Hurricane Gloria pounded the Virginia coast prior to the Grateful Dead’s performance. And who could have imagined, back then, that Phil would still be dropping bass bombs all night long three decades later? What a weekend this was: Dead and Company at Madison Square Garden, and Phil and Friends at The Cap. Most of us had to return to work on Monday, so the “Day Job” encore hit the spot in bittersweet fashion. However, there was nothing bittersweet about the brilliant and resilient Phil Lesh. He delivered the goods in Port Chester again.