The Wonderful World of Music By Jory Benerofe Suburban Street White Plains and Westchester County News Published October 19, 2000 As fall sets in with winter to follow soon, life resumes to normal, right? Life was anything but normal this past weekend for the many who congregated at New York's Beacon Theatre to share in four more nights of music with Phil Lesh and Friends. The experimental and improvisational group formed by former Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh continues to amaze those who show up as both deadicated fans and the curios music connoisseur. Playing to a packed house every night, Phil and Friends tore up the stage with songs from all eras of the Grateful Dead's 30-year repertoire. This band is more than just a Grateful Dead cover band. Joining Phil on stage for the fall tour are: guitarist Jimmy Herring, former member of Col. Bruce Hampton's Aquarium Rescue Unit and Jazz is Dead. Guitarist Warren Haynes who enjoyed ten years with the Allman Brothers Band before starting his own band, Gov't Mule. Keyboardist Rob Baracco of the Zen Tricksters, and drummer John Molo, a founding member of Bruce Hornsby and the Range. Together these musicians revitalized some of the greatest songs in the history of music, giving them new life and once again inspiring awe in its audience. In honor of John Lennon's birthday last week, the band has played a Beatles song each night. Not to mention songs by the Allman Brothers Band, Traffic, Peter Gabriel, Phish, John Coltrane, and others. One of the greatest things about this band is that you can see them over and over again and you'll never see the same show. After seeing four shows in a span of five days, I only saw them play one song twice. Not bad! At the Beacon Theatre it dawned on me how lucky I was to be experiencing true American culture. So often, Americans look at themselves as being a cultureless people. One of America's most valuable cultural assets is Rock 'n' Roll, and Phil and Friends give you all you can handle. The Grateful Dead set a precedent 30 years ago, by steering clear of the mainstream. That precedent is still alive today, and it created a new genre of music, the original alternative style. But this alternative style has nothing to do with the style that emerged from the Seattle area a few years ago; these guys have been around much longer. Rebelling against mainstream coverage, these bands have made a name for themselves through unrelenting touring throughout the country, bootlegging of their concerts, and good old-fashioned music. There is this whole corner of the music world that has strayed from the limelight of traditional media coverage and promotion and has achieved unbelievable success, not to mention the most loyal fan base you could ever imagine. As overwhelming as New York City can be, it's worth the sensory overload to experience what it has to offer. At the forefront is possibly the best music scene in the world. But I'm a little biased, so you're going to have to experience it for yourself. Know this, if you want to see it, it's out there, you just gotta' listen to the music play. Enjoy!