Loose Lucy

Phil Lesh & Friends
May 8, 2008
Philmore, Denver, CO

Set 1
Loose Lucy

Phil Lesh & Friends
May 8, 2008
Philmore, Denver, CO

Set 1
Loose Lucy
Ball and Chain

Phil Lesh & Friends
May 8, 2008
Philmore, Denver, CO

Set 1
Loose Lucy
Ball and Chain
Mississippi Half Step

Phil Lesh & Friends
May 8, 2008
Philmore, Denver, CO

Set 1
Loose Lucy
Ball and Chain
Mississippi Half Step
Doin' That Rag

Phil Lesh & Friends
May 8, 2008
Philmore, Denver, CO

Set 1
Loose Lucy
Ball and Chain
Mississippi Half Step
Doin' That Rag
Chest Fever

Phil Lesh & Friends
May 8, 2008
Philmore, Denver, CO

Set 1
Loose Lucy
Ball and Chain
Mississippi Half Step
Doin' That Rag
Chest Fever
Scarlet Begonias

Phil Lesh & Friends
May 8, 2008
Philmore, Denver, CO

Set 1
Loose Lucy
Ball and Chain
Mississippi Half Step >
Doin' That Rag
Chest Fever
Scarlet Begonias >
Fire on the Mountain

Thanks to Tar_w for the live udpates!

That's a 5 everyone...

Sounds good is the second set avail and on it's way...thanks

By my recollection, second set was:

Truckin' >
I'm So Gone
Eyes >
Eleven >
Caution >
Other One
Loser
Help >
Slip >
Frank

Donor Rap
Cold Rain & Snow

Set 2
--------
Truckin
Gone Wandering
Eyes>
The Eleven>
Caution! >
Cryptical Jam >
Other One
Loser
Help on the Way >
Slipknot! >
Franklin's Tower
*
Cold Rain and Snow

It will be tough to top this show tomorrow. Phil's band was on fire tonight!

Can hardly wait for it to be on Archive.com

Was there lyrics in Eleven and Caution..??

I don't know how there could be a better show than last night. The band came out running on all cylinders and many phans were remarking just how Jackie Greene had become more a formital frontman with this band since PLF's appearance in Denver last year. And make no mistake The Eleven was performed in all it's glory: nice four part harmony singing of the tune's lyrics and not the instrumental that it has become in recent years leading into a scorching Caution that blew the roof off the sauna hot Philmore. And while the Caution sure was jammy it was also sung by Jackie in such a sassy way that was indeed reminicent of the Pigpen's soulful rapping versions especially when he called out each of the band members for solos. Phil was crazy off the hook all night but the Caution > Other One was stuff of legend and will be talked about when folks compare this version of PLF with the others that have come before it. The Particle Dude was also at the top of his game singing a very impressive boucny rendidtion of Doin That Rag and adding some phat fills throughout the night especially in that sacond set when he became sort of a master blaster on the moog. Obviously, this is what Phil originally heard when he brought Steve into this band and last night the promise was delivered. Larry Campbell, well that guy was shredding all night and his take on the Band's classic Chest Fever included the powerful Garth Hudson intro known as the Genetic Method which was magestically played on the guitar. And lastly, John Molo. I don't known how this guys does it. Molo brought his A game all night like he always does and his ferocious drumming locked in with Phil's explosive bassplaying and dropped my jaw all night. Theere was a jam during the Fire on the Mountain when Molo just let loose with a volley of his own and of course during that Caution - Other One. But when the guy gets his second wind during the Help on the Way you could see him just waiting to let loose during the Slipknot...Like I said this show had it all, fantastic playing, flawless execution, and a joy amongst the players that I haven't seen or heard before.

The bar has been raised. Believe it.

Nice review Pete!

Looks like Phil's Spring Romp is off to a good start. . .

Sully wrote: <<it>>

Somehow I'm certain there will be a plethora of comments describing the second show as "Da Bomb" and the hottest Lesh gig ever.

Seems that so many shows are better than the one before it or are the best. Indeed, the first Denver show got this comment above: <<i>>

My point: Have some perspective. Enjoy the music while you're at the show and/or listening afterward. Don't worry about installing every night in the Lesh/Dead Pantheon.

I scanned the review. A point left out... Molitz was lead vocals The Eleven. During The Other One Jackie was doing a lot of down tuning of the E string. The largest string anyway - I think that is E. Sounded cool. Then toward the end of the song Phil and Jackie were getting some good feedback in when Jackie pulls out a pair of needle nose pliers. I was front center (1st person in the door last night) so had a perfect view. He grabs the top string with the pliers and started bending it around using the neck as leverage. This was on the cream SG BTW. He popped that string pretty quick and proceeded to the adjacent string. He was then grabbing 2-3 at once. The thinnest string popped, then a couple others. Only two survived. He then handed the battle scarred ax to the guitar guy. Pretty intense. I'll try and type more later.

>> He grabs the top string with the pliers and started bending it around using the neck as leverage.

I've seen the bass player from the Mother Hips do this, must be where JGe got it from, makes cool sounds. Thanks for the reviews keep 'em coming

G-Dad, yes, lyrics in both "The Eleven" & "Caution ...".

This was an amazing show and it was my birthday! I never saw the Dead on May 8th in over 200 tries, but last night was worth the wait! The band was defenitely on and clearly having fun. I think the Cold, Rain and Snow was the best song of the evening. This was not your father's Cold, Rain and seemed to be nice dedication to Jerry. I can't wait to get the tapes and confirm what I already know.

Hey Skeptical_envelopment
>>every night in the Lesh/Dead Pantheon<<

The comparisions by young and old heads to great P&F and Dead shows is valid. Sure it's not a '68 to '74 30+ song Dead show, but the quality of this Q is first rate.

The detour from the all jam format makes it interseting. Well done songs before a big jam accents the jams.

Every show has been getting these types of comments because this work is great. Enjoy the ride.

This was a great setlist. A tune-up gig for the Warfield.

Larry played a Les Paul for all but two songs. Maybe three. Tele I believe for the encore. Phil suggested he may play other instruments tonight. Jackie mixed it up fairly evenly between the SG, the hollow body Gibson and his Telecaster. After the show I asked Molo when Phil was going to give him a riser. I saw that smile Molo. I know you heard me. No real comment above on Truckin' yet. I have to admit to being a tad disappointed when they opened Set 2 with it, but it turned out real nice. Dare I say it, but I think I like Jackie on Bob tunes better than Bob. Post Dead that is. He plays with so much enthusiasm. No mention of the very meaty Slipknot. Really excellent. Long, and they all hit it spot on. Got to focus on the drummer for this one. Heading out for night two in a minute. Bye.

The band was much tighter than their Denver visit last year and Jackie particularly seems to have grown into his role in P&F. Tight and hot (music and air temps) show last night. My favorite was the transition into Caution which was simply fantastic and really rockin'!

I though we saw Jackie take lots of leads last nite (needle nose plier thing was crazy as already noted) and I look for Larry to rip more tonight. I can smell a Viola Lee sandwich!

Saw a few killer shows last year with this line up(i've seen all the line ups thus far) back home here in PA last year and will be catching the two nearby here in June as well. Had a chance to see Jackie play with his band here in Philly at the World Cafe a few weeks ago and they sounded great! I have a lot more appreciation for him now after seeing that show. I liked him before but it just definitely added to that seeing him do his thing on his own.
Wish i could have been at these shows in Denver! A preshow at Sancho's (across the street from the philmore) and then over to the show sounds like what i could use tonight!
Crazy set last night paralleled my life in a lot of ways.
Hope you had the chance to catch Phil and friends finally Elisa!! I'll never forget our first night together listening to Phil and drinking wine and feeling fine! Loose Lucy she's my delight......then alas My Ball and Chain. But there's nothing wrong with the look that's in your eyes. Had to learn the hard way(through some cold rain and snow) to let you pass by. Love ya still! What a long(not long enough for me),CRAZY,strange trip it's been!

Thanks for the reviews guys, very much appreciated here in the SF Bay Area. This is making me salivate for the Warfield shows. Enjoy tonight!

Another smokin Phil show and it was great to hear Molitz vocals and more pronounced keyboards. He jammed some sweet funky keys in with Help and the Slip was a thunderous jam. Molo was on absolute fire all night. I especially enjoyed The Chest Fever. Larry continues to amaze. No doubt this band is tighter than ever right now. Thanks Phil & Friends for continuing to bless us with the music here in Denver! Looking forward to tonight!

>>>Obviously, this is what Phil originally heard when he brought Steve into this band and last night the promise was delivered.

Nice. I'm glad the boys are on time...is it Sunday yet?

Really liked the show, lived up to my reasons for going (and passing on Hot Tuna) - needed to boogie in more of a non-blues groove last night. I laughed, I cried, I danced, I got too hot because I was too cheap to buy water.

Set 1
------

Loose Lucy - nice solid version, Jackie getting right into it early, but they didn't do the thing with the multiple "yeah" sections towards the end; just single "choruses"

Ball and Chain - liked this, good playing, not sure if I'd heard it live before

Mississippi Half Step - dare I say it, Phil is in better voice these days; now he can work on remembering the lyrics (missed one cue, I think); I seem to recall a tasty Larry solo in this one

Doin' That Rag - this teetered on the brink of disaster for me, but made it out safely, thanks to a lovely "a capella" ending; instrumental part was done well, and kudos to Molitz for the effort on main vocals - I see this getting killer down the road

Chest Fever - Larry did a great job on vocals & guitar, and really seems more comfortable overall now

Scarlet Begonias - another Phil lyric flub, but he was a trouper about it; not the smoothest segue section, but it had its early moments

Fire on the Mountain - the first hint of some nice well laid beats from Molo, as well as the initial taste of Molitz on analog synth

Set 2
------

Truckin - I could hear this every show; solid Jackie vocal, and it just kept truckin' on into:

I'm So Gone - nice groove that just didn't quit (well, it did when the song stopped, but you know what I mean)

Eyes - very good, and one of the Larry solo highlights of the night for me; started shakin' the bones and didn't stop until the end of TOO; how could I with it being followed directly by:

The Eleven - I'm going to say it was pretty damn good, because I was feeling it big time; face it, you play a song in 11/8 and it's either going to suck or be great; this was great and steamrolled its way to:

Caution! - well, I'm still partial to Joan on this (more "experience", and come on, a female can do wonders with a tune like this), but if anyone else is going to rave this up, it's Mr. Greene; nice call out to each band member to solo, including Phil (he did a "who, me?" take as his initial response, then ripped it up on the bass; classic!); devolved interestingly at the end into:

Cryptical Jam - not smart enough that I'd call this by this name, but a very cool soundscape that led to:

Other One - the culmination of the groove; final Phil lyric flub of the night (it's the altitude adjustment; that's the story I'm sticking to)

Loser - enjoy the way they do this; might've been too soon after the KBCO performance for me, but I'm picky that way

Help on the Way - I'll take it, oh yeah; hadn't ever heard a Phil ensemble do this until last year in Santa Fe, and here I am getting it again at my "next show"; the usual segue into:

Slipknot! - instrumental beauty at its best, possibly my favorite "non-hit" GD tune; Moog master Molitz squeezing out the squiggly synth sounds; and yes, ladies & gentlemen, Mr. John Molo; for me, the only other rock drummer who can find places to put beats like Bonzo did; moving of course to:

Franklin's Tower - don't have much to say about it, as by this point, I was just along for the ride (a damn good one at that); anyway, could there ever be a "bad Frank" after "Help & Slip"? not for me, I don't think

Encore
-------

Cold Rain and Snow - enjoyable & average for me, my least favorite tune of the night (kind of like being #10 in a top ten list of all-stars; still really good)


A damn good show overall, but I'll admit that I'm not sure I would say I've ever seen a "bad" Phil show (somehow I missed all the Ryan shows; luck of the Irish?). Tonight, it will be very interesting to see what gets pulled out of the hat next, and it looks like it will definitely be worth that 1 mile walk uphill if I go to the LA Greek show.

We had a great time, tho I would add a few qualifiers to the ecstatic reviews.

Jackie indeed kicked off the night with a special energy. The show groove got off track a bit with Molitz' rendition of Doin' -- both the song choice and the band's ability to dig in contributed. Scarlet>Fire seemed a tad predictable.

However, in the second set, the groove never flagged and band stepped it up, resulting in some great jamming. Phil singing The Other One made me realize what a great singer Bob is, however.

Overall, despite some great playing on their parts, I don't feel Campbell and Molitz are quite up to the rest of the band. Not hatin' at all, just noticed that last night.

I will say, the crowd was one of the best and most fun of any I've seen in a long time. Fun and a nice mix of gender, age and favorite poisons.

Well worth it.

Thanks for the reviews! This summer should be a lot of fun with some great music!

Northern Calif here. Fellow taper here says thanks to the seed and download off of cotapers.org and it sounds great....San Francisco here they come.....the setlist tonight Fri is looking good here thruout the first set...SMILE SMILE SMILE

LA>San Fran

Thx Co. for a real good time :-)