Furthur, in preparation for Furthur Festival this weekend, did two public rehearsal sessions in San Rafael on Monday 5/24 and Tuesday 5/25. Did they play anything that wasn’t in the repertoire so far? I don’t think so.
They did have to work out a new line-up. With the departure of Jay Lane (who has returned to his post, after many years, as the drummer of Primus), Furthur is a one drummer band. That drummer is power house Joe Russo. Phil Lesh suggested a few months back that this phase of Furthur will be like the Bill Kreutzmann only period for the Grateful Dead.
Zoe Ellis, who has been singing back up with Furthur since December of 2009, was also absent. No details on her departure. There was a new singer, Jeff Pehrson, who took the microphone beside Sunshine Garcia Becker.
So some line-up switches, work out the arrangement etc. But nothing new… Not that I am saying they shouldn’t rehearse! Those there thought it was fab, but I would think they would need to work up some of the new things, songs they haven’t played!
First off, people on Phil Zone have been begging for “Gomorrah”. Everyone on Ratdog dot org wants to hear “My Brother Esau”. And everyone is waiting for the “Lazy Lightning/Supplication”. Phil did say he would try to get to this one, after seeing the request in the Zone.
Um, there are some songs on these albums that Furthur has never done – I think they would want to have rehearsed those!
From Terrapin Station there is “Sunrise” (I hope Sunshine steps out on this one! Unless Donna shows up…) as well as large chunks of the full “Terrapin Suite Part 1” (Ratdog, to their credit do “At A Siding” and “Terrapin Flyer”). Of course, only Robert Hunter does part 2.
They actually have played all of Anthem of the Sun, and most of Aoxomoxa – except for “Rosemary” and “What’s Become of the Baby”. Phil has done those two songs with friends, and I imagine Theresa Campbell will be making a guest appearance, unless Sunshine is going to tackle it.
On Blues for Allah they have to do “Sage and Spirit” as well as “Blues For Allah: Sand Castles And Glass Camels / Unusual Occurrences In The Desert”
Unless I missed something, that’s it – Furthur really does play most of these albums in their repertoire. I’m still holding out for that “Lazy Lightning”. Phil promised!
Regardless, I am looking forward to it, and my set list job will be easy! What I am really wondering is what Friday’s sound check will be…
When Phil Lesh and Friendsclosed the Warfield (as we knew it) in May of 2008, and performed 8 Grateful Dead albums in their entirety, it was some of the sweetest shows I have ever seen. In fact my biggest disappointment that week was that they left out a few albums. I really wanted to hear Wake of The Flood, Blues for Allah,Terrapin Station, and Shakedown Street.
(OK, I admit it I wanted Shakedown Street – because I need to hear “France” live once before I die. And I will still have to wait on that one… I do hope they do it one day when Donna can sit in! )
Phil Lesh & Bob Weir will take the musical journey Furthur performing some of the Grateful Dead’s most beloved albums in their entirety, including a very special 40th Anniversary celebration of their classic recordings; Workingman’sDead and American Beauty.
When Phil and friends played Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty on Friday may 16th, 2008 it was so freaking beautiful and sweeter than honey. Listen to American Beauty from that night here.
Also included will be Aoxomoxoa, and Anthem of the Sun, both of which Phil included in May of 2008. And… yeah! We will get to hear a live Blues for Allah and Terrapin Station. I am excited, because that includes “Terrapin Flyer” and “At A Siding”, which as far as I know, only Ratdog has performed live.
Get the full scoop at the Furthur Festival website. Schedules are posted, and other announcements, like the fact we will get to hear Furthur do a soundcheck set Friday night, suggestion of sitting in with the other bands and muscians (Hot Tuna, Jackie Greene, Mark Karan, Larry Campbell, Maiden Lane and more).
If you know Tom Constanten , then you know the place inside you where his keys tickle your spine. And if you don’t know who he is, I bet you’ve been tickled anyway.
He was one of Phil Lesh’s early friends:
“Phil Lesh was standing in line at Cal Berkeley’s music department in 1961 when he overheard a young man, Tom Constanten by name, remark that Music stopped being created in 1750 and began again in 1950. They shook hands, and became friends for life…
He advised about creative keyboard’s on Anthem of the Sun and Aoxomoxoa as well as being a touring member of the Grateful Dead from the end of 1968 to early 1970. He felt he was underamplified!
Enjoy this selection of T.C. that you can turn up! A few clips of his solo piano mastery, as well as him sitting in with other Dead bands. I remember an L.A. area show or two he played with Remnants of Eden round 1996 or so… does anyone have any footage of that?
Love you TC, you’ve rocked my soul for many years!
