One of the many cool traditions that Phil Lesh has instilled at his Terrapin Crossroads venue in San Rafael, Calif. is the Sunday Brunch. Diners at the venue’s restaurant are treated to mostly acoustic tuneage while they enjoy their meals. For instance, at this past Sunday’s Mother Day Brunch, Phil’s son Grahame led a few of his buddies through a set and was later joined by his father and Furthur guitarist John Kadlecik. Not a bad way to spend an early Sunday afternoon in the Bay Area.

Watch Grahame Lesh, Phil Lesh, Kadlecik and Connor O’Sullivan perform Brown-Eyed Women at this past Sunday’s Mother’s Day Brunch, held at Terrapin Crossroads…

Grateful Dead / Furthur bassist Phil Lesh’s Terrapin Crossroads venue has just announced a full slate of performances set for the first three weeks of May. The action starts on May 3rd with an Infamous Stringdusters show which The Terrapin Family Band will open and continues on May 5th when Phil will perform with The Terrapin Family Band as a benefit concert for the Unbroken Chain Foundation. Then, on May 10th, The Black Crowes’ Jackie Greene will Ramble with Phil and Furthur members John Kadlecik, Joe Russo and Jeff Chimenti.

Lesh will bring back his Telstar night of “improvisation and psychedelic music” on May 12th when he’ll perform with Kadlecik, Russo, Chimenti and Anders Osborne. TC will throw a “Spring Fling House Party” on the 13th featuring Lesh, Kadlecik, Russo, Chimenti and Osborne along with the Terrapin Family Band. On May 15th, Phil will offer up a “Rockin’ Ramble” along with Kadlecik, Russo, Chimenti and Osborne. The announced shows come to a close with three Rambles on May 16th – 18th that will find Lesh performing with Kadlecik, Russo, Chimenti and Luther Dickinson.

Tickets for every show besides the Stringdusters (tickets for that show are onsale now) will be available at the Terrapin Crossroads Box Office on Thursday, April 18th, starting at 3:00 PM. The Terrapin Family Band will play for those queuing up for tickets. Remaining ducats will be available for purchase online on Saturday, April 20th. Here’s more details on each May Terrapin Crossroads show…

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When three nights of music at Terrapin Crossroads came to a close late on Saturday, Phil Lesh told the crowd it was “one of most energetic weekends of music here yet for me” during his donor rap. Apparently Lesh wasn’t ready for it to be over as he stopped by his venue for Sunday Brunch before heading to New York for tonight’s start of Furthur’s nine-show run at The Capitol Theatre.

• Anders/Luther Rambles: Night One, Night Two, Night Three

Phil joined his sons Grahame and Brian as well as guitarist Ross James during the Post-Ramble Acoustic Brunch to sing on a cover of Sigh No More by Mumford & Sons and to add vocals to Ramble On Rose.

Here’s videos of both…

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It’s hard to believe that Terrapin Crossroads is just a smidge over one year old. The Phil Lesh-owned venue has provided so many magical collaborations that previously only existed in our dreams. Anders Osborne and Luther Dickinson playing THREE shows with a band Phil put together? What a fantastic idea that turned out to be as good as expected when it actually took place. Last night was the finale of the three-night stand of Spring Rambles that saw Phil Lesh, Anders Osborne and Luther Dickinson team up with Grahame Lesh, Tony Leone and Jason Crosby at Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael, Calif. However, that wasn’t the only show at the venue on Saturday leading to Lesh to call it “one of most energetic weekends of music here yet for me” when the music finally stopped just after midnight.

Early in the day guitarist Stu Allen was the featured performer at Terrapin Crossroads during brunch. Allen treated brunchers to covers from the likes of The Beatles, Steely Dan and Bruce Cockburn as well as some Grateful Dead staples. Drummer Pete Lavezzoli joined Stu at one point as did keyboardist Rob Barraco who was in town with Dark Star Orchestra.

Watch Stu and Rob’s stupendous cover of Kid Charlemagne by Steely Dan…

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After Thursday’s show turned our heads, we were excited to see what “Uncle” Phil Lesh, Anders Osborne, Luther Dickinson, Tony Leone, Grahame Lesh and Jason Crosby had in store for their second of three Spring Rambles at Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael, Calif. last night. Just like Thursday’s opening show, Friday saw the newly-formed ensemble mix blues classics, NMAS tunes and a bunch of songs from the Grateful Dead’s touring repertoire. Then, for good measure, the band threw in a pair of Neil Young gems in Cortez The Killer and Down By The River for good measure.

Once again, the sextet infused plenty of improvisation throughout each set. Band members took turns handling vocals with Luther stepping to mic on Rollin’ and Tumblin’, How I Wish My Train Would Come and Mean Old Wind Died Down, while Anders fronted the group for Friend of the Devil, Big Boss Man, Down By The River, Cortez The Killer and Fire On The Mountain. During his usual donor rap, Phil remarked that the evening marked the 52nd anniversary of the first manned spaceflight.

Here’s the setlist from last night’s Spring Ramble @ Terrapin Crossroads…

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Furthur / Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh kicked off a set of Spring Rambles at his Terrapin Crossroads venue in San Rafael, Calif. last night with a band consisting of Anders Osborne, Grahame Lesh and Luther Dickinson on guitar, Tony Leone on drums and multi-instrumentalist Jason Crosby (See our interview with JCros). The ensemble worked through material from the Grateful Dead canon as well as tunes from Anders and the North Mississippi Allstars over the course of two sets.

[Photo via Pok Pok Wings on PhilZone.org]

Here’s the setlist from last night’s show via PhilZone.org…

Set One: Alabama Getaway (TL), Dire Wolf (GL), Cold Rain & Snow (PL), Ramble On Rose (TL) Hear the Hills (LD) > Tomorrow Never Knows Jam > Burning on the Inside (AO) > extended jam > Goin’ Down the Road Feelin’ Bad

Set Two: Truckin-> Conan-> Cumberland Blues, Sugaree > Shake > Joliet Bound > The Other One > I Know You Rider, Donor Rap

Encore: Knockin On Heaven’s Door

We’ve come across audio of Sugaree > Shake > Joliet Bound > Other One > I Know You Rider…

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There was once a time when Phil Lesh and Dark Star Orchestra weren’t on good terms. It was said Lesh didn’t appreciate DSO’s concept and that DSO wasn’t thrilled that Phil recruited John Kadlecik for Furthur. Those bad vibes have apparently dissipated as Uncle Phil sat in with Dark Star Orchestra last night for the second time in six months.

DSO performed at Lesh’s Terrapin Crossroads venue and were joined by the Grateful Dead / Furthur bassist for the majority of the second set. Phil emerged at the beginning of the second stanza, as DSO bassist Kevin Rosen sat out, for China > Rider and That’s It For The Other One sequences. While most of the show focused on material from the late ’60s, Dark Star offered an “original setlist” instead of performing a show from the Dead’s past.

Here’s the setlist from last night’s show…

Set One: Dancin’ In The Streets > Till The Morning Comes, High Time, Easy Wind > Not Fade Away > New Orleans > Not Fade Away > Death Don’t Have No Mercy > Viola Lee Blues

Set Two: China Cat Sunflower* > I Know You Rider*, Cryptical Envelopment > * The Other One > * Cryptical Envelopment*, Hard To Handle > Alligator > jam (mountain jam) > The Eleven > Going Down The Road

Encore: Brokedown Palace

* – w/ Phil Lesh

[Setlist via DeadHeadLand]

Dark Star Orchestra move on to a venue owned by a different member of the Grateful Dead this evening for a sold-out show at Bob Weir’s Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley, Calif.

It’s important to remember that our rock heroes are real people who go through all of the same emotions that we do. For instance, they beam with pride at the accomplishments of their children. Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh has used his new venue, Terrapin Crossroads, to not only play with his variety of projects, but also as a home for the projects of his two talented songs – Grahame and Brian.

Watch as Phil can’t wipe the smile off his face as he performs a cover of Kenny Chesney’s You and Tequila last night at Terrapin Crossroads with his two boys and their band. Chesney recorded You and Tequila in 2010 with the help of Grace Potter. Phil has mentioned his appreciation of contemporary country stars such as Chesney in a recent Relix interview. This take on You and Tequila, which sweetly segues into Uncle John’s Band, is delivered by the Terrapin Family Band…

And here’s the ensemble’s riveting take on New Speedway Boogie…

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The next set of West Coast Rambles will take place on April 11 – 13 at Phil Lesh’s Terrapin Crossroads venue in San Rafael, Calif. Guitarists Anders Osborne and Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars) will make their Terrapin Crossroads debut at those shows.

In addition to Anders and Luther, the band will consist of drummer Tony Leone, multi-instrumentalist Jason Crosby, guitarist Grahame Lesh and bassist Phil Lesh. You can score a $65 at the Terrapin Crossroads Box Office starting tomorrow or online via the TC webstore on March 21st.

Phil Lesh will celebrate both his birthday and the anniversary of Terrapin Crossroads opening at his San Rafael, California venue starting tonight and running through March 17th. For those who can’t make it out, the venue will be offering Pay-Per-View webcasts of each show.

Lesh has put together some killer lineups for the gigs…

March 8th, 9th and 10th – Phil Lesh, Jackie Greene, Tony Leone, Stu Allen & Jeff Chimenti!

March 11th – Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Joe Russo, Jackie Greene & Jeff Chimenti

March 14th & 15th – Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Joe Russo, Jackie Greene & Jeff Chimenti!

March 16th & 17th – Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Jeff Chimenti, Stu Allen & Joe Russo!

Each webcast will run you $7 and can be bought HERE.

[Hat Tip - @DeadheadLand]

Phil Lesh’s Terrapin Crossroads venue has just announced a series of benefit concerts for the Unbroken Chain Foundation that marks the One Year Anniversary of the venue as well as the Grateful Dead / Furthur bassist’s 73rd birthday. The run starts on March 8th and continues until the 17th.

Lesh has put together interesting Phil & Friends lineups for the gigs:

March 8th, 9th and 10th – Phil Lesh, Jackie Greene, Tony Leone, Stu Allen & Jeff Chimenti!

March 11th – We’re closing down the restaurant to have a House Party! Featuring Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Joe Russo, Jackie Greene & Jeff Chimenti, Phil’s House Party includes a multi-course buffet dinner, non-stop music & a rockin’ night of fun!

March 14th & 15th – Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Joe Russo, Jackie Greene & Jeff Chimenti!

March 16th & 17th – Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Jeff Chimenti, Stu Allen & Joe Russo!

The Terrapin Family Band, featuring Phil’s sons, will open each of the shows. You can pick up tickets at the Terrapin Crossroads box office starting on Feb. 21st at 4PM PST and starting on Feb. 23rd at the venue’s online store. The ducats will cost $65 a pop with the exception of the show on the 11th, which runs $100 and includes a multi-course buffet dinner.

The first round of West Coast Rambles at Phil Lesh’s Terrapin Crossroads venue in San Rafael, Calif. continued last night where once again God Street Wine kicked off the show with an opening set before members of the band filled out Lesh’s lineup for two additional sets.

[Photo by Michael Weiss]

GSW started things off with oldies but goodies God Street and Light My Candles before tackling Wall from their 1997 self-titled album. From there, the jamband treated fans to three classics from their mid ’90s hey day: The Ballroom, Epiphany and Bring Back The News. For the set-closing combo of Hey Joe > Get On The Train, the band welcomed guests Jeff Chimenti on keys and John Kadlecik on guitar.

Phil Lesh closed the show with two sets that saw GSW’s Tom “Tomo” Osander on drums and contributions from guitarists Aaron Maxwell and Lo Faber as well as the bassist’s Furthur band mates Chimenti and Kadlecik. Faber handled vocals on He’s Gone, Simple Twist of Fate, Casey Jones and Hey Pocky Way while the Maxwell-led numbers included It Must’ve Been The Roses. Maxwell and Faber teamed up to sing the Phil Lesh debut of Late In The Evening by Paul Simon. The ensemble finished the Help > Slip > Frank’s trio they started the previous evening when they opened the second set with Slipknot! > Franklin’s Tower. They also used the final set of the night to split Scarlet Begonias and Fire On The Mountain by working the aforementioned Paul Simon cover, The Wheel, Uncle John’s Band and The Other One in between Scarlet and Fire.

Here’s the setlist from last night at Terrapin Crossroads…

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The first West Coast Ramble of 2013 took place last night at Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael, Calif. where the venue’s owner Phil Lesh was joined by God Street Wine and surprise guest Bob Weir. GSW kicked off the show with a set of their own featuring the five original members of the band and multi-instrumentalist Jason Crosby. For the second set, Lesh teamed up with members of God Street Wine as well as Furthur members John Kadlecik and Jeff Chimenti. Weir unexpectedly came out for the final set of the evening and stuck around for the whole closing stanza.

[Photo by Michael Weiss]

Phil dedicated the show to Poughkeepsie native and Phil and Friends’ tour manager Kathy Sunderland, who passed away recently. Lesh and God Street filled the final two sets of the evening with staple Dead tunes, Beatles gems and a few other classic rock covers.

Here’s a look at the setlist…

God Street Wine: Waiting For The Tide > Driving West, Chop*, Borderline*, Call It Love, Crazy Head > Goodnight Gretchen

* – w/ Jeff Chimenti

Phil & Winos Set One: Here Comes the Sun, Dear Mr Fantasy, Into The Mystic, Let It Be, So Many Roads, Here Comes Sunshine, Ripple

Phil, Bobby & Winos Set Two: Help On the Way > Slipknot!, Golden Road, Bird Song > Days Between > Golden Slumbers > Not Fade Away, Eyes of the World > China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Sugar Magnolia

Encore: Box of Rain > The End > Imagine

[via Mike Weiss and Ratdog.org]

The God Street Lesh Rambles continue tonight at Terrapin Crossroads.

The first West Coast Rambles of 2013 kick off tonight at Phil Lesh’s Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael, Calif. For this series of three shows that runs through Saturday, HT faves God Street Wine will open and then members of GSW will team with Lesh, John Kadlecik and Jeff Chimenti for additional sets.

For those of us that can’t make it to Terrapin, the venue will webcast all three shows, as well as Sunday’s “Hoedown,” for $7 a pop. Head over to Terrapin’s Webcast Store to make your purchase.

For a new series of West Coast Rambles at Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael, Calif., Furthur / Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh will team up with Jackie Greene and Jackie’s new Black Crowes band mate Adam McDougall as well as guitarist Neal Casal and drummer Tony Leone for a four-night stand. The shows will take place on February 7th to 10th and are slated to start at 7PM each night.

Tickets for these performances are on sale today at the venue’s box office and will be available online starting tomorrow through the Terrapin Crossroads’ website. The first set of 2013 West Coast Rambles, featuring HT faves God Street Wine, take place this coming Thursday, Friday and Saturday.