Phil Lesh’s classic Quintet reunited last night for a performance at San Rafael, CA’s Terrapin Crossroads. The classic Phil Lesh & Friends lineup—which Lesh referred to as the Quintet in interviews—toured together from 2000-2003 but has not performed for almost nine years. In addition to Lesh on bass, the group features Allman Brothers Band guitarist Warren Haynes, Widespread Panic guitarist Jimmy Herring, Moonalice drummer John Molo and Dark Star Orchestra keyboardist Rob Barraco.

The Quintet were known for their deep jams and last night’s performance featured several pockets of heavy improvisation. As they did in their heyday, the group opened their second set with a freeform jam that morphed into the set’s first song, “The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion).” Later, the Quintet moved into a loose “Viola Lee Blues” and followed that song throughout the set. The group also paid tribute to Band drummer Levon Helm, whose wake took place yesterday afternoon, at a few points during the show. During their first set, the group busted into a cover of The Band’s “Acadian Driftwood.” Phil Lesh & Friends also nodded to Helm with a cover of Elton John’s “Levon” that led into “I Know You Rider,” a song whose chorus includes the lines “I know you, rider, gonna miss me when I’m gone.” At the end of the show, Lesh remarked that the show was “the most run he’s had with music in years.”

The Quintet will return to Terrapin Crossroads this evening.

Here’s a look at last night’s setlist via Philzone.org

Thursday, April 26, Terrapin Crossroads, San Rafael,CA

Set 1:

Shakedown Street>
Jam>
Pride of Cucamonga
Doin’ That Rag
Acadian Driftwood
Direwolf
Here Comes Sunshine>
Jam>
Into The Mystic>
Cumberland Blues

Set 2:
Jam>
Golden Road>
Viola Lee Blues(v1)>
Bertha>
Sicknesss Jam>
Viola Lee Blues (bluesy v2)>
She Said She Said>
Sickness Jam 2>
Viola Lee Blues (uptempo v3)
Levon> Jam>
I Know You Rider
Help On The Way
Slipknot!>
King Solomon’s Marbles… > Jam>
Slipknot!>
Franklin’s Tower
Donor Rap

E:
Midnight Hour