reCAP :: Phil Lesh 76th Birthday Celebration w/ Warren Haynes, Eric Krasno, Rob Barraco + John Molo :: 2016.03.15
The uniqueness of The Capitol Theatre and its patrons is the most fun and interesting part about working here. When Phil Lesh comes to town I know I'm going to see a lot of familiar faces. Some faces I see all the time but have never met, some I've come to know and love, and some I'm just getting to know. That, I believe, is one of the most special things about the live music community. Once you're a member of this unique club for music enthusiasts, you begin to build a stronger and stronger family at every show.
Upon arriving into the venue I was greeted by some of my favorite people, The Capitol Theatre's ushers. Immediately I was handed a party hat which stayed on my head for the entire show. In my opinion, and an opinion that I know others share, is The Cap's ushers are what makes the experience for fans so welcoming. To be greeted by a smiling face before entering a show makes all the difference.
For night one of Phil Lesh's 76th Birthday Celebration Shows, Lesh was joined by Warren Haynes, Eric Krasno, Rob Barraco, and John Molo. What makes Phil Lesh & Friends so special are the dynamics between the different musicians. When the band began, I could tell they were feeling fearless. That fearlessness was evident by the "Help > Slip" opener. Highlights for me during the first set were "Just a Little Light," a Brent Mydland song, performed this night by Warren Haynes, that progressed beautifully and left me with a huge smile on my face. Following, a rousing cover of Eric Clapton's "Let it Rain" brought the show into a beautiful "Althea," and the first set closed with a rollicking "Bertha," which is always one of my favorite songs to hear.
During the show, the cries of, "Happy Birthday Phil," and, "I love you, Phil," rang through the theater. I felt that we could continue this birthday tradition with Phil for 100 more years, and the cries of love for Phil would still ring just as loud and true.
When the second set began, the rock 'n' roll energy was booming and one of my all-time favorite songs opened the set. Whenever Phil Lesh & Friends play "Shakedown Street," the lyric "Don't tell me this town ain't got no heart," feels to me like it was written just for Port Chester, New York. A highlight for me during this set was a jam in the middle of "Shakedown." The music flowed endlessly, sharing its wisdom into the souls of the crowd. This set was also filled with my personal favorites like "Viola Lee Blues," "Eyes of the World," and of course "Terrapin Station," which as my friend Jerry says, "There's no other song like it."
The show ended with beautiful versions of "Morning Dew," and "Standing on the Moon," and as the crowd sang happy birthday to Phil at the end of the night, it occurred to me that so many roads had led me to this moment at the The Capitol Theatre, my favorite venue, with my favorite people, and my favorite guy, Phil Lesh. I hope it was just as much fun as it was for you as it was for me.