reCAP :: Phil Lesh & Friends ft. Chris Robinson Brotherhood with Special Guest Eric Krasno :: 2014.11.08
Saturday night at The Capitol Theater found Phil Lesh & Friends (The Chris Robinson Brotherhood, along with Joe Russo and jazz/funk luminary Eric Krasno) in fine form for two sets of classics from the cannon of The Grateful Dead and beyond. Once again, Lesh stepped back out of the spotlight for the most part and concentrated on his bass, leaving the singing to Robinson. Russo continues to prove to be one of the most talented drummers on the scene, whether simply keeping a steady rhythm or banging out furious beats that make the drum kit come alive.
A simple guitar role opened the night with “West L.A. Fadeaway” that grooved and meandered with a rumbling bottom end. The tempo and the energy got heated on the sultry “Brown Eyed Women” and “Big Railroad Blues,” the former featuring easy gliding solos from both guitarists, Cassal and Krasno, the latter reflecting but not mimicking the tones of the late Jerry Garcia. On “BRB” keyboardist Adam MacDougal played eerie science fiction like timbres of synthesizer in tones that were reminiscent of a theremin.
Their mellow cover of the obscure folk singer Fred Neil’s “The Dolphins” was a bit of a come down, and the leisurely tempo of “Ramble On Rose” allowed the crowd to join in on the chorus sing along. Lesh finally took the lead vocals on the lovely ode, “Bird Song,” his deep throaty voice a stark contrast to the tender and sweet melodies of Garcia. The band meandered a bit too long as the song moved through lost space of improvisation into the set one conclusion of “Going Down The Road Feeling Bad” that saw Robinson and Cassal trading verses and raised the energy level, the crowd singing along in unison at the top of its lungs.
The second set will easily be one to remember, with a few choice cover songs thrown in and upbeat takes on Grateful Dead classics. “Shakedown Street” got the heads moving and bopping and the feet’s shuffling and grooving. Here again, Krasno’s melodious guitar solo was fluid and sinewy, and Macdougal leaned heavily on the organ, building to a climax where the crowd on cue joined in with a lively “Whoooo.”
The highlight of the night for this fan and reviewer was the rocking cover of The Rolling Stones “Gimme Shelter.” Here’ Robinson’s sprightly, southern rasp recalled the British intones of Mick Jagger, and Russo commandeered the rhythm, his arms a flailing whir of explosive beats that went lockstep with Lesh’s booming low end. This segued into “Caution (Do Not Stop On The Tracks)” with heavy organ swells from MacDougal, while the Bob Dylan classic “Like A Rolling Stone” was given a gospel timbre with more organ. Without missing a beat, Russo moved the band into Otis Redding’s Hard To handle – a song that was a hit for Robinson’s former band, The Black Crowes. Here Macdougall slipped into funk mode, bouncing and jabbing at the keys. They slowed it down mid song to an ambling blues dirge that found Robinson adding an improvised rap.
Robinson stepped off stage for a breather and the band moved through a dark and winding take through “Unbroken Chain” with Lesh again on the lead vocals, and “Comes A Time” was a mellow interlude before the set closer and encore. The tempo picked back up as they segued into a jazzy rhythm that transitioned into Wilson Picket’s “Midnight Hour” to close out the set. “They Love Each Other” was a sweet way to send the crowd out on a high note, with Macdougall’s sensual organ moans recalling the reggae lilt of the late Melvin Seals and Krasno’s easy rolling bending notes on the guitar recalling Garcia.
Phil Lesh is certainly doing an excellent job of invigorating the classic songbook and legacy of The Grateful Dead, and is doing so with an excellent cadre of “friends.” This weekend, with Chris Robinson Brotherhood along for the ride as well as Russo and Krasno, was certainly one to remember.