Ed. Note: DHL Photographer Monte Gullo (DHLMonte, Blues4monte) also wrote some notes about the show. Monte also shot the Mickey Hart Band for DHL last August at The Independent, and several of his shots were also featured along with Blair Jackson’s review on Dead.net) I got there late and the first song I heard was Starlite Starbrite. I started taking pics and getting a feel for the place. The space was pretty nice. The Colonial theater is a converted movie theater and a good place for a show. Mickey and the band have lots of equipment and they fit in nicely without being cramped.
Endless Skies was next, and is really evolving into a very melodic, dreamy and swaying lyrical number. Tim Hockenberry’s vocal style really stands out well. In the video I shot people do seem to be picking up on the swaying and rocking vibe.
One of the things I noticed was Crystal Monee Hall’s presence on the stage. She really seems to be enjoying herself, smiling and dancing through the songs and singing wonderfully along with Tim and by herself.
SIKIRU ADEPOJU started the lyrics of Who Stole The Show with some wonderful native chanting and singing which brings the singing total to four in this band.
Scarlet/Fire came next and Dave Schools kicked serious bass ass! I have never seen him live before and he is a very active playing, melodic bass player and I left a big fan. Gawain Matthews had some fine guitar playing moments during those songs for sure.
The second set opened with Heartbeat. Mickey gave a nice introduction on how this song is based on the sound the radiation of the sun makes and the sound stars emit. Along with the space samplings, Mickey plays the Beam. Any time that happens it’s a good thing.
Slo Jo Rain and Supersonic were very strong vocal numbers and are very good live. Little bit harder in the rock dept, but nothing compared to the coming of “The Other One”. Dave and Gawain’s style have taken one of the Dead’s hardest rockers a step further down that path. Way more dancing than shooting.
Cut the Deck I have to say falls in to the short term memory loss category because I don’t know what happened. Maybe I took lots of shots then to make up for my dancing/lagging.
GDTRFB/ We Bid You Goodnight is always a success and got the crowd moving as it always does and always will. All with a MHB drum heavy twist. Ian “Inx” Herman is an excellent time keeper and still manages to throw out some drum riffs along the way.
Good way to try and end the night. But then came the encores. Papa Was A Rolling Stone. Wow! To everyone. The groovers, Crystal’s awesome performance, Tim’s trombone, and the band for choosing that one. Hard to choose but that might have been the one that night. Ended with a very good Franklin’s Tower.
The band seems very comfortable and happy. They have changed for the better since the first tour. Tighter, but groovier.
Another great show from Mickey Hart and his band. After a week on tour, the band was ready to smoke! The energy was high throughout the show – this band gets better and better. Starting to really mix up the setlist, and throwing in some new things too, like the surprise Sly Stone cover “Papa Was A Rolling Stone”.
Crystal Hall is obviously having a blast, her sweet singing voice embraces the songs, and she’s rocking out on rhythm guitar too. Gawain Matthews takes his solos and realy opens it up sonically into some high places we haven’t been before. And his interactions with bass player Dave Schools are cool, they have a few laughs together while playing.
Tim Hockenberry has a deep rich voice, somewhere between Tom Waits and Peter Gabriel in timbre and expression. Switching between keyboards and trombone, he’s a showman without showing off.
Of course the band keeps on groovin’ along with deep rhythm, Ian INKX Herman at the drum kit. Mickey is the maestro, orchestrating cosmic sounds into songs; “Heartbeat” is created from the sounds of the sun, and while it is Mickey’s standard 2nd set opener, it is never the same twice, as it deeply entrances us into a deep state of awe. It was clear Mickey was having more fun than ever in Healdsburg – his energy was more relaxed than the previous week in Santa Cruz, tuned in, and engaged with the audience at this show. The tour has been going well, he knows the music is good, and he invites us all to come along and “enjoy the ride!” And you know that is what DHL is all about!
It was great to hear talking drum master Sikiru Adepoju step up to the mic on “Who Stole The Show”!
Along with all the new songs, the band still broke out some Grateful Dead tunes; Mickey told me last summer, it is part of who he is. Crysrtal sang “Brokedown Palace” in the middle of set one – nice placement, this song does not have to live as an encore always. And a fun and hot “Franklin’s Tower” closed the first set leaving us all smiling as we migrated out for setbreak.
A nice crowd of mostly locals from Healdsburg, Santa Rosa, and Sonoma county in general. Each town has such a different vibe, and this wasdefinately the wine country crowd, relaxed and chatty, socializing freely durring the break (where as Santa Cruz was more “hippie”, with large portions of the audience doing stretches and yoga between sets, nothing worng with it, but very differnet energy!) This was the closest to Mickey’s hometown show, and it had a very freindly feel to it. Most of the band members had friends and family there, and it felt open to hang out and talk.
Set two included a powerful version of “The Other One” that segued into the new song “Cut The Deck”, which really impressed my friend who had come with me – she is not a Deadhead, by the way. She turned to me and said “I really like this song!” It could actually be a break out, I could see this getting airplay on non-deadhead radio. If you don’t tell people it’s by someone in the Grateful Dead, you might be able to slip it by them!
I spoke with Tim Hockenberry and keyboardist/producer Ben Yonas after the show, and they were both very excited about the new CD. They’re proud of their work, and can’t wait for you to hear it. The CD drops on April 10th, Mysterium Tremendium on Shout! Factory records. DHL will be reviewing it for you shortly. The live versions are great – can’t wait to hear what the studio version sounds like.
Enjoy the great pictures here from my old friend Cheryl Alterman, of Cheryl Alterman Photography. While not a Deadhead, Cheryl’s been going to concerts with me since we were teenagers, and it was fun for me to turn her on to the Mickey Hart Band. I think she had fun… it’s infectous! Mickey and his band have a good thing going here, and the newness of it is exciting. It is so differnet than anythng else in the Dead ‘lands! It’s fresh and fun, danceable, and meaningful.
Keep on rocking Mickey and band, you know our love will not fade away!
Phil Lesh & Friends:
Phil Lesh – bass & vocals, Grahame Lesh – guitar & vocals, Bob Weir – guitar & vocals, Tim Carbone -violin (Railroad Earth), John Skeehan – mandolin (Railroad Earth), Andy Goessling – banjo, lap steel, and others, (Railroad Earth) Ross James – guitar, pedal steel, & vocals (Blue Light River, Dry Creek Rounders), Danny Eisenberg – Keyboards (Mother Hips, Ryan Adams, Glider), Jaz Sawyer – Drums
Terrapin Crossroads
San Rafael, CA
Sun. March 11, 2012
1st set
Alabama Getaway (Grahame Lesh)
Loose Lucy (Bob Weir)
Pride of Cucamonga (Phil Lesh)
Chinatown Shuffle (Ross James)
Ashes and Fire (Grahame Lesh)
Peggy-O (Phil)
Will The Circle Be Unbroken (Ross)
Not Fade Away
Set 2 (10:35pm – 12:15am)
Cumberland Blues
Springheeled Jack – (instrumental, no Weir 1st 3/4)
The Wheel
Long Road (Grahame)
Cold Rain & Snow (Phil)
Dear Mr. Fantasy > (Grahame)
Viola Lee Blues
In The Midnight Hour (Bobby)
Donnor Rap, and Phil thanks us for coming out.
We all sing ” Happy Birthday” to Phil (his birthday is 3/15 – cards were signed earlier when we were standing on line)
Wow! An extra special night, featuring two sets, and a really tight band. No keyboards for most of the night, just Phil and Grahame Lesh, along with Mark Karan on guitar (RatDog and Jemimah Puddleduck), Jeff Pehrson on vocals (The Fall Risk, Furthur), Jaz Sawyer on drums, and Ross James (Blue Light River, Dry Creek Rounders) on guitar and pedal steel.
Phil Lesh and Friends
Terrapin Crossroads
San Rafael California
March 10, 2012
1st set:
Truckin’ >
Highway 61 Revisted
Liberty
Good Morning Little Schoolgirl
He’s Gone(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiPdMOx1OZE)
Althea
San Francisco Rain
The Weight
Death Don’t Have No Mercy
Box of Rain
2nd set:
Mason’s Children >
Mississippi Half-step Uptown Toodles Loo >
I Know You Rider
Casey Jones >
Franklin’s Tower
Phil’s Donor rap
Encore:
Turn On Your Lovelight
Then… Phil headed over to the Fillmore in San Frncisco for a sit-in with Railroad Earth!
I was lucky to be at Terrapin Crossroads for the 2nd night of the “Casual Opening”, with some good friends, old and new!
It was a thrill, to see many of my favorite musicians, Tim Bluhm and Danny Eisenberg (The Mother Hips). Nicki Bluhm (Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers) sitting in with Grahame and Phil Lesh. No one was as thrilled as Derren Ney (Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers) when Nicki introduced him to Phil, on stage, and Derren sat in for “You’re no Good”! And a joy to enjoy the talented guitar and pedal steel of Ross James (Dry Creek Rounders, Blue Light River). Jordan Levine. Really great mixture fo known and unknown talent… Nice pick up band!
These opening sets are casual, in the restaurant, (not in The Grate Room, where next weeks shows will take place) starting around 8ish. I talked with Phil Lesh for a minute after the show, and he said “please come back, it’s gonna be something different every night”. We shared a smile, and I said that was “wonderful, we like it different!”. Really nice to get to thave a drink and talk with the musicians at the bar after the set. Tim seemed really happy about it, and said he had fun, as did Nicki. And it was great to talk with Derren Ney, who told me what a thrill it was for him, he has listened to the Grateful Dead since he was 10, and was honored that Nicki brought him out to play with Phil! Ross James was super kind, and thrilled to be there, though he admitted having to learn a bunch of songs fast, he stepped up to the plate like he knew them all. He is a guitarist to check out, for sure.
Phil Lesh and Friends
Phil Lesh-Bass, Grahame Lesh-Guitar, Tim Bluhm-Guitar (acoustic and electric), Danny Eisenberg-Keyboards, Ross James-Guitar and Pedal Steel, Jordan Levine-Drums, Nicki Bluhm-Vocals on select songs, Derren Ney-Guitar on “You’re No Good”.
Sugar Magnolia
Samson and Delilah
Bird Song
Fennario
Deep Elem Blues
Easy WInd
Big River
You’re No Good
Tennessee Jed
Cumberland Blues
Helpless
The Wheel >
Scarlet Begonias >
Fire On the Mountain
Phil Lesh and Friends – Grahame Lesh, Jackie Greene, Tim Bluhm, Nicki Bluhm, Jeff Chimenti, Jaz Sawyer, Ross James Terrapin Crossroads (formerly location of The Seafood Peddler)
San Rafael, CA
March 8 2012
setlist (updated from Grahame Lesh’s instagram: http://instagr.am/p/H9V4QBw0Ec/) :
Uncle John’s Band
Brown Eyed Women
Dire Wolf
Mississipi Halfstep Uptown Toodleloo
Squeaky Wheel
Friend Of The Devil
Deal
Bertha
Ramble On Rose
Look at Miss Ohio
New Speedway Boogie >
Dark Star (instumental) >
New Speedway Boogie jam (according to Jay Blakesberg’s Facebook posts!)
Stella Blue >
Dark Star (Instrumental) >
The Other One
Sugaree
encore:
Going Down The Road Feelin’ Bad >
Brokedown Palace
The Wheel – A Musical Celebration of Jerry Garcia
and
Benefit for the Rex Foundation
ON THE ROAD TO WASHINGTON, DC
Featuring:
New Riders of the Purple Sage
Jesse McReynolds, Garrett McReynolds, Steve Thomas
Moonalice
Saturday, March 24, 2012
The Hamilton
600 14th Street, N.W. (14th & F)
Washington, DC
6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Reception, Food and Premium Seating Concert Tickets: (All but $70 is tax deductible)
Includes Drinks, Hearty Finger Food and Event Poster
Lightning $500.00 Reserved Front & Center Floor Seating Thunder $150.00 Reserved Prime Floor Seating
7:30 Doors Open for Concert – Music Begins at 8:00 p.m. Concert Only $45.00 Reserved Floor Seating & Floor Standing Room
Performances by Blue Bear Youth Bands
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Doors open at 7:00pm, Show at 7:30pm
Bimbo’s 365 Club, 1025 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94133
VIP Tickets $150
GA Tickets $75
Blue Bear Member GA $60
For tickets and information: www.bluebearmusic.org/40th, (415) 673-3600.
Blue Bear School of Music presents the Blue Bear 40th Anniversary Benefit featuring performances by Jackie Greene plus special guests, and opening performances by Blue Bear youth bands, on Thursday, March 22 at Bimbo’s 365 Club, 1025 Columbus Avenue in San Francisco. The Blue Bear 40th Anniversary Benefit will provide major funding for the school’s non-profit mission and youth music education programs that enrich the lives of more than 600 Bay Area youth from low-income families and under-served communities each year. Proceeds support Blue Bear’s innovative Rock Band Ensemble Program, Digital Audio Production Studio 101, and guitar outreach programs at partner sites in public schools and community centers, summer camps, youth scholarships and sliding scale tuition support for low-income students.
Headlining this year’s benefit is the prolific guitarist and vocalist Jackie Greene. At 31, Jackie has accomplished what many artists strive decades for. He has recorded seven albums of original work, an EP, DVD, and a recently released book of lyrics. Greene has been involved in many high-profile side projects including his endeavors with Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Furthur, Levon Helm and Warren Haynes’s Gov’t Mule. Constantly touring, Jackie has a reputation for putting on an energetic live show and has earned the respect of critics and musicians across the country. While difficult to pigeonhole his music, frequent comparisons are to Bob Dylan and The Band, there is a consistent influence of Americana Roots Music that runs through the themes in his large musical catalog. At times, his songs are playful – other times they are sorrowful. But always, they are soulful. Greene is musically rooted in the rock and roll tradition, though he is emotionally attached to other forms of American music like country-western and rhythm and blues. Armed with a voice that turns heads and a near-mastery of several instruments, Greene has been dubbed by New York Times as “The Prince of Americana.”
Blue Bear School of Music, the original school of rock and roll since 1971, celebrates its 40th Anniversary as San Francisco’s leading destination for aspiring musicians of all ages and all skill levels who want to enjoy learning and playing rock, pop, blues, folk or jazz music. The school’s mission is to provide superior quality and affordable popular music education for all, regardless of one’s ability to pay, through the school’s experienced professional faculty and diverse programming. Blue Bear provides a comprehensive music education meeting the needs of students from
I got there late and the first song I heard was Starlite Starbrite. I started taking pics and getting a feel for the place. The space was pretty nice. The Colonial theater is a converted movie theater and a good place for a show. Mickey and the band have lots of equipment and they fit in nicely without being cramped.
decades for. He has recorded seven albums of original work, an EP, DVD, and a recently released book of lyrics. Greene has been involved in many high-profile side projects including his endeavors with Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Furthur, Levon Helm and Warren Haynes’s Gov’t Mule. Constantly touring, Jackie has a reputation for putting on an energetic live show and has earned the respect of critics and musicians across the country. While difficult to pigeonhole his music, frequent comparisons are to Bob Dylan and The Band, there is a consistent influence of Americana Roots Music that runs through the themes in his large musical catalog. At times, his songs are playful – other times they are sorrowful. But always, they are soulful. Greene is musically rooted in the rock and roll tradition, though he is emotionally attached to other forms of American music like country-western and rhythm and blues. Armed with a voice that turns heads and a near-mastery of several instruments, Greene has been dubbed by New York Times as “The Prince of Americana.”