Phil Lesh & Friends
Monday, March 11, 2013
Phil’s House Party (Night 4 of 8 to celebrate Terrapin’s 1st Anniversary)
Unbroken Chain Foundation Benefit
Terrapin Crossroads Bar & Restaurant
San Rafael, CA

6:00pm – 7:30pm
Walked into the restaurant with an open Jam already underway with many different folks, including Phil Lesh & Bob Weir, also joined by Jackie Greene, Jeff Chimenti, Joe Russo, Mark Karan, & Stu Allen
Jam >
West L. A. Fadeaway (bw) >
Loser (sa) >
Deal (jgre)
Ripple (pl) w/Brian Lesh on Mandolin & Jason Crosby on fiddle
Might As Well (sa) w/Grahame Lesh on acoustic guitar
Deep Elem Blues (gl)

7:30pm - 8:25pm
Terrapin Family Band (Grahame Lesh, Brian Lesh, Ross James, Scott Padden, Alex Koford, Alex Nelson, Emily Sunderland)
Jam >
Jacksin (Is Long Gone) (an)
Detroit Turnaround (rj)
Cash On The Barrelhead (gl)
?? (rj) with Jeff Chimenti on piano >
Big River (bl) w/Grahame Lesh on bass & Scott Padden on drums
Ignition (Remix) (sp) with Jackie Greene joining ak on drums (no gl, bl, iirc)
30 Days (rj) (no gl, bl)

8:25pm - 9:50pm
Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Jackie Greene, Mark Karan, Jeff Chimenti, & Joe Russo
Uncle John's Band (pl) >
New Minglewood Blues (bw) >
Standing on Shaky Ground (bw, jgre) >
New Minglewood Blues (bw) >
Sugaree (jgre, bw)
Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad (all) >
Eyes of the World (pl) >
Playing In The Band (bw) >
Low Spark of High Heeled Boys tease instrumental >
Playing in the Band (bw)

10:00pm - 10:45pm
Terrapin Family Band (Grahame Lesh, Brian Lesh, Ross James, Scott Padden, Alex Koford, Alex Nelson, Emily Sunderland)
Up on Cripple Creek (gl)
Love Me Like a Man (es)
Apartment Song (rj)
Althea (sa) w/Stu Allen on guitar & vocals
Ramshackle Shack (an)
Respect (es) w/Jackie Greene on keyboards & Joe Russo also on drums

10:45pm - 11:10pm
Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Jeff, Chimenti, Jackie Greene, Stu Allen, Mark Karan, & Joe Russo
Mason's Children (pl, bw) >
Sugar Magnolia (bw)

Setlist by John Provost & Rob Scalcione (and help from Grahame Lesh!)

Because the Phans want to know!

Correction: the majority of the middle Phil set (825-950pm) had Stu Allen on guitar instead of Mark Karan.

thank you, you are correct. We have been working on this all morning will update soon...

That is one awesome setlist Scalc!
I really did not think you could do it.
Rock on!

props to John Provost for leading, I was the editor! Thanks to Grahame Lesh and some Zoner contributions, I think we got it all almost right!

this is the latest...

Phil Lesh & Friends
Monday, March 11, 2013
Phil’s House Party (Night 4 of 8 to celebrate Terrapin’s 1st Anniversary)
Unbroken Chain Foundation Benefit
Terrapin Crossroads Bar & Restaurant
San Rafael, CA

6:00pm – 7:30pm
Walked into the restaurant with an open Jam already underway with many different folks, including Phil Lesh & Bob Weir, also joined by Jackie Greene, Jeff Chimenti, Joe Russo, Mark Karan, & Stu Allen
Jam >
West L. A. Fadeaway (bw) >
Jam >
Loser (sa) >
Deal (jgre)
Ripple (pl) w/Brian Lesh on Mandolin & Jason Crosby on fiddle
Might As Well (sa) w/Grahame Lesh on acoustic guitar
Deep Elem Blues (gl)

7:30pm - 8:25pm
Terrapin Family Band (Grahame Lesh, Brian Lesh, Ross James, Scott Padden, Alex Koford, Alex Nelson, Emily Sunderland)
Jam >
Jacksin (Is Long Gone) (an)
Detroit Turnaround (rj)
Cash On The Barrelhead (gl)
El Paso (rj) with Jeff Chimenti on piano >
Big River (bl) w/Grahame Lesh on bass & Scott Padden on drums
Ignition (Remix) (sp) with Jackie Greene joining ak on drums (no gl, bl, iirc)
30 Days (rj) (no gl, bl)

8:25pm - 9:50pm
Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Jackie Greene, Mark Karan, Stu Allen, Jeff Chimenti, & Joe Russo
Uncle John's Band (pl) >
New Minglewood Blues (bw) >
Standing on Shaky Ground (bw, jgre) >
New Minglewood Blues (bw) >
Sugaree (jgre, bw)
Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad (all) >
Eyes of the World (pl) >
Playing In The Band (bw) >
Low Spark of High Heeled Boys tease instrumental >
Playing in the Band (bw)

10:00pm - 10:45pm
Terrapin Family Band (Grahame Lesh, Brian Lesh, Ross James, Scott Padden, Alex Koford, Alex Nelson, Emily Sunderland)
Up on Cripple Creek (gl)
Love Me Like a Man (es)
Apartment Song (rj)
Althea (sa) w/Stu Allen on guitar & vocals
Ramshackle Shack (an)
Respect (es) w/Jackie Greene on keyboards & Joe Russo also on drums

10:45pm - 11:10pm
Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Jeff, Chimenti, Jackie Greene, Stu Allen, Mark Karan, & Joe Russo
Mason's Children (pl, bw) >
Sugar Magnolia (bw)

Setlist by John Provost & Rob Scalcione (and help from Grahame Lesh!)

Phil turns 73 on Friday, but chose yesterday to have his in-house celebration at TC. This was a "one-off" and the only thing predictable about the night was some of the lineup, and that dinner would be served. Phil felt a thanksgiving style buffet would be most appropriate and its easy to see why. Every facet of the spread was as good as home although I missed the desert bar in favor of another Black IPA.

The show was a ping pong of the family band, including sons Grahame and Brian, with Ross James. When I arrived at 7:30 the family band was jamming heavy, and word was that the adults came out earlier at 6p and did more than a sound check, including Stu Allen, Phil, Bob and others I cant verify.

At about 8:30 the Family band handed back the stage. Chimenti and Phil pushed by me sidestage as I was talking with Karan who wasnt even sure if he was going on. "Very unscripted", I think were his words. Well shortly thereafter he followed on stage and the group was Chimenti, Greene, Weir, Phil, Karan with Russo ostensibly on drums behind the amps. When I peeked around the amps, there was a drummer in a hoody, and indeed, it was Russo. Previous nights this weekend the drummer was Tony Leone and I was glad to see Russo, or part of him. The stage was in a corner of the restaurant yet there was definite thought to the sound setup which was remarkably good. Lighting was unadorned and was simply the can lights of the restaurant with no direction or mobility.

The guys opened with Uncle Johns Band, and I cant tell you a set list. It was clear however that this was epic. The dynamic is always the story, and to me the headline was Weir is back, and Phil is a legend, albeit appearing more and more frail. Again the joy of the music dominates and the contributions are infinite. Greene is absolutely the real deal. Beyond his singing, he can absolutely play guitar but most significantly the creativity this guy possesses is superstar. Each lead is confidently laid out with phrasing that is presented with predictable repetition that diverges in many forms and coelesces to perfection. This occurs every time. After a few tunes, Mark Karan stepped off and Stu Allen replaced his position. Stu provided the other lead, and with this much power on stage, somethings got to give. Sadly, Stu was overrun by Jackie's creativity, and when things could have transitioned to the Jerry-toned jams I love about Stu, I was left with mediocre, short-lived soloing that was not particularly artful or lengthy. Despite the tone clone, Stu didnt deliver at the highest levels for me. That said, there was enough cream so that everything was acceptable. Chimenti was, naturally, a solid soloist with a very real connection with Jackie in both youth and craftsmanship. I never tire of him.

The headline, as mentioned, was Bob. I cant recall seeing his performance having more commitment and quality. His voice issues, which have haunted me since Ratdog in San Diego years ago, have appeared to resolve. Although not the 1973 tenor, he now sings as if he was formerly a virtuoso, with some age. And its really very good. So too I enjoyed his stage presence. It was as if he was celebrating Phil by taking the band by the horns and corralling a great rhythm for Phil's bass, while allowing the younger band mates to lay it down. Bob is back. Other songs were Playin, GDTRFB, Mason's Children, and Magnolia which had a great re-arrangement flair clearly rehearsed as I took note of the tightness.

Phil, while absolutely loving the scene has me a bit concerned. He appears frail and couldnt be 140 lbs. I was bold enough to wish him a happy birthday, and got a firm handshake in return, along with a squinty grin of acceptance. That was encouraging, but he putters around and appears unsteady in his gait, maybe too much birthday. His playing didnt suffer and his singing remains emotive, if not comical, as he sang "sometimes the songs that we hear are songs of our own." His humor remains strong. After each song there was a clear spontaneity of "what should we play next", and although there was some mindlessness, greatness arises unplanned which it did. There was no earpiece communication among the band, and conversation on stage was open and interactive. Jason Crosby came out toward the end played violin which suffered from technical sound issues. In my mind this was good, going back to my firepower theory of too much noise doesnt allow individual appreciation. It was a minor distraction actually.

Phil et al left after about 90 min, and on returned the kids who again really impressed me. Great selection, arrangements and playing, especially when Stu joined them and really let it go. THIS was Stu on leads, and they were formidable for another hour. The headliners returned and played about 20 min before knocking off most unexpectedly. After an hour break, my expectation was another hour or so of celebration, but at 73 years old, 11P is late, and they did start at 6P. Off they straggled and we high tailed out of TC.

OK, after talking to some of the musicians and getting Grahame's blessing, here is the best I can offer for Phil's House Party Set list!

Phil Lesh & Friends
Monday, March 11, 2013
“Phil’s House Party” (Night 4 of 8 to celebrate Terrapin’s 1st Anniversary & Phil’s 73rd Birthday)
Unbroken Chain Foundation Benefit
Terrapin Crossroads Restaurant
San Rafael, CA

6:00pm – 7:30pm
We walked into the restaurant with an open Jam already underway with many different folks, including Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Jackie Greene, Jeff Chimenti, Joe Russo, Mark Karan, Stu Allen, & Jason Crosby
Jam >
West L. A. Fadeaway (bw)
Jam (w/Scarlet Begonias & The Other One teases) >
Loser (sa) >
Deal (jgre)
Ripple (pl, jgre) w/Brian Lesh on Mandolin
Might As Well (sa) w/Grahame Lesh on acoustic guitar
Deep Elem Blues (gl) w/Grahame Lesh on acoustic guitar & vocals

7:30pm - 8:25pm
Terrapin Family Band (Grahame Lesh, Brian Lesh, Ross James, Scott Padden, Alex Koford, Alex Nelson, & Emily Sunderland)
Jam >
Jacksin (Is Long Gone) (an)
Detroit Turnaround (rj)
Cash On The Barrelhead (gl)
El Paso (rj) w/Jeff Chimenti on keyboards >
Big River (bl, rj) w/Jeff Chimenti on keyboards, Grahame Lesh on bass & Scott Padden on drums
Ignition (Remix) (sp) w/Jackie Greene also on drums (no gl, bl) >
30 Days (rj) w/Jeff Chimenti on keyboards (no gl, bl)

8:25pm - 9:50pm
Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Jackie Greene, Jeff Chimenti, Joe Russo, Mark Karan, Stu Allen, & Jason Crosby
Uncle John's Band (pl, bw, jgre) >
New Minglewood Blues (bw) >
Standing on Shaky Ground (bw, jgre) >
New Minglewood Blues (bw)
Sugaree (jgre, bw)
Goin’ Down The Road Feeling Bad (all) >
Eyes of The World (pl)
Playing In The Band (bw) > w/Jason Crosby on fiddle for rest of the set
The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys instrumental jam >
Playing In The Band (bw)

10:00pm - 10:45pm
Terrapin Family Band (Grahame Lesh, Brian Lesh, Ross James, Scott Padden, Alex Koford, Alex Nelson, & Emily Sunderland)
Up On Cripple Creek (gl)
Love Me Like a Man (es)
The Apartment Song (rj) (w/Sugar Magnolia jam)
Althea (sa) w/Stu Allen on guitar & vocals & Jeff Chimenti on keyboards
Ramshackle Shack (an)
Respect (es) w/Jackie Greene on keyboards & Joe Russo also on drums

10:45pm - 11:10pm
Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Jackie Greene, Jeff Chimenti, Joe Russo, Mark Karan, & Stu Allen
Mason's Children (pl, bw) >
Sugar Magnolia (bw)

Setlist compiled by John Provost & Rob Scalcione (and help from Grahame Lesh)
Because the Phans want to know!

Food Setlist from the House Party:

Quinoa pilaf >
Mixed greens salad >
Roasted Turkey >
Mashed potatoes >
Brussel sprouts >
Sweet potatoes >
Stuffing
E: Chocolate cake

good write up mike

as mentioned elsewhere, IMHO, Jackie was not listening / sharing well, nor being inventive, and was very screechy ( I was on his side, and he was too loud in my mix) i took a walkabout when my patience wore thin.

conversely, he was rather good at the birthday show on Friday ( which shocked me)

the room setup works well, (till the sneaker inners make it too crowded)