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Published: 2012/06/03

Phil Lesh & Friends Perform a Free (but Private) Show

Phil Lesh with sons Brian and Grahame along with Marco Benevento and Joe Russo soundchecking at Princeton University

Saturday night saw a free (but private) Phil & Friends show on Princeton University’s Terrace Club lawn. The event was part of the university’s graduation-reunion festivities. This particular lineup of the ever-rotating cast of musicians featured Lesh on bass, the bassist’s sons Brian and Grahame on guitar, Marco Benevento on keys, Joe Russo on drums and Stanley Jordan on guitar.

The catalyst for the event was Brian’s graduation from the prestigious university this year. (And, as it happens, Jordan is also an alum- class of ’81.)

While no confirmed setlist has surfaced, it appears the band performed one long set featuring such Dead tunes as “The Wheel,” “Uncle John’s Band,” “Birdsong,” “Casey Jones,” “Sugar Magnolia” and “Deal” along with “Peggy-O” and “Up on Cripple Creek.”

Grahame posted a video on his twitter of the band soundchecking “Sugar Magnolia” earlier in the day.

The performance also marked the first time Benevento and Russo had performed together with a band other than Bustle in Your Hedgerow since the Freak’s Ball this past January.

Comments

There are 14 comments associated with this post

Greg Alkalay June 3, 2012, 21:39:34

Phil was noticeably impressed with Stanley Jordan. Brian and Graham were great. Joe and Marco were brilliant as always. And my wife and I were in the front row. Amazing show!

Jen Klopp June 3, 2012, 23:43:18

It was amazing – Phil was so clearly pleased about playing with his sons and Stanley Jordan was particularly outstanding. Incredible music for a very memorable 25th reunion.

Jesse June 4, 2012, 00:00:33

I hope someone recorded this.

xian June 4, 2012, 01:29:52

I always regret it when I miss reunions, especially at Terrace F’-in’ Club, but this time I am practically gnawing my own arms off in envy.

Luke June 4, 2012, 07:28:42

“Oh the benches were stained, with tears and perspiration..” BD

joe p. June 4, 2012, 07:53:04

great show, far exceeding expectations. these six guys had never played together before but yet they sounded like they’d been playing forever. tight, smoking jams. phil’s kids are very talented guitarists and vocalists. benevento was pounding the keys. stanley jordan was tremendous. and of course phil held it all together. remarkable show.

Tim Robertson June 4, 2012, 08:12:27

Stanley Jordan first came out for Friend of the Devil and had an awesome solo at the end. Other highlights were I Know You Rider and the encore of GDTRFB->AWBYGN. Just an incredible show all around. Phil was very gracious and quite comfortable and friendly with the crowd. What a treat!

Cale June 4, 2012, 09:03:14

Set list was:
Wheel
Cripple Creek (his sons can sing)
Deal
Some song I didn’t recognize (new to me, not GD),
Cumberland (smokin),
Uncle John’s
Birdsong
Freind of Devil (Stanley Jordan joins the band)
Peggy-O (earlier int eh set, but can’t remeber where)
Casey Jones
I know You Rider
Sugar Mags
GDTRFB encore and We Bid You Goodnight
Awesome perfoamnces all around, and a gorgeous full moon night outside.

Cale June 4, 2012, 09:27:36

Oh yeah, Phil’s Mountain song was in there later in the set as well.

mars June 4, 2012, 10:04:06

One of the songs was ‘Sigh No More” by Mumford and Sons. It was the very melodic song that just exploded at the end. Someone told me another song was something by Kings of Leon.

ben June 4, 2012, 12:25:23

The show was filmed and recorded. Not positive when it will be available though.

Doug Roberts June 4, 2012, 14:26:55

I think it was Mountain Song -> Sugar Magnolia. Thought I had during “Casey Jones”: radio play from that song alone probably could have easily paid for Brian’s entire Princeton education. The three Leshes sounded great on vocals- imagine Crosby, Stills, and Nash-esque vocal skills on Dead songs- with Phil holding down most of the bass lines just like he did with the Dead. Cumberland and Cripple Creek were real highlights. It seemed like they were really having a good time- as a family should at a child’s college graduation. Thanks to the Lesh family, TFC, and Stanley Jordan for an epic and memorable evening.

mulebyrd June 9, 2012, 12:40:08

w/ Stanley Jordan. such good songs. wow. wat a long strange trip.

Cowboy Neal August 15, 2012, 09:33:19

A quick note about the (“Private”) nature of this gig. Terrace Club did just about everything they could within reason to accommodate as many people as possible inside the OUTDOOR venue. There was a max capacity legally allowed inside and based on the number of folks there – they probably exceeded it by a good margin. All that said – the Terrace Club parking lot turn around immediately outside the lawn fence was open and hundreds of folks were there happily enjoying a great view of the show and the band. If you were in a four block radius of the show, you could hear it. Further, Phil and the band cheerfully ignored the curfew and played till 2 a.m. Anyone who has a gripe about the “private” show at a private club to celebrate his son’s graduation needs to check their shit. This a totally kind scene and anyone who felt cheated – cheated themselves. The rumour about this show surfaced about two weeks prior. A friend was going to ‘hook me up’ through a Terran employee but as the date arrived it was a no go, “dude – no one is getting in..” Later same day another friend calls with another rumour “after all the alumni get in and the show starts, they’ll let in anyone up the max capacity..” So I toodle on over to Princeton, ( 5 minute drive ). Cutie out front of Terrace confirms the 2nd rumour, “hang out back around by the gate– you’ll get in about 5 mins after the show starts..”. About 40 mins before the show starts this Terran bro show up and says he’s on the list to get in – ticket/list girl says to him, “this guy is an old time Dead Head and is itching to get in – do you have a guest? “ Guy turns to me and says”, “Bra! You’re in! Let’s go!” First time I was ever ‘miracled’ into a show. The Wheel opener was too cool, sublime, a portent of what was to come at the TRI Studio show. Phil was more spry and happier looking, more full on energy than I’ve seen him in a long while. He was so clearly over the moon to be playing with and celebrating with his sons the vibe was infectious. Stanley Jordon coming up to play add fuel to Phil already stoked fire. As one might expect, Stanley tried to lay back a bit but Phil kept after him, egging him on and getting him to feel comfortable to really jam in. The show was for sure recorded and taped through the board by Phil’s crew. There were also at least three tapers there and I’m still searching for a feed for that. It was a great show, an amazing time, and one of those events where if were there – you were meant to be there.

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Phil Lesh & Friends Perform a Free (but Private) Show

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