On a muggy Friday night at the Warfield Phil Lesh and his talented Friends covered all of the Grateful Dead’s Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty, leading fans to think they would play albums for the entire run. Saturday found the band expertly playing Skullfuck, before skipping about ten years and taking on 1981’s Dead Set. Both Dead Set and its acoustic brother Reckoning were partially recorded at the Warfield, making the choice to cover the electric album a fitting one.

[Photo by J.C. Juanis]

Yet Sunday was a completely different animal. Just as the show was starting Phil told the crowd that the night would be full of friends and improv. So the album covers went out the window, but what the crowd got what looks to be an epic three set affair featuring two acoustic interludes (one by Jackie Greene and Larry Campbell, the other with Greene and Tim Bluhm) between the sets.

The first set featured an intriguing trio of Phil, Bob Weir and John Molo rockin’ Come Together > Dark Star > Loose Lucy before Jeff Chimenti and Larry Campbell added their talents to West L.A. Fade Away and The Wheel > Not Fade Away. After Jackie and Larry’s mini-set Phil’s usual quintet came out to tackle a few GD favorites. Towards the end of the set Mark Karan came out to add some more psychedelic tones to the festivities. The quintet handled the third by themselves , ending what has to be the most exciting run they’ve played in years. Here’s hoping they keep the momentum goin’ throughout the summer. READ ON for last night’s setlist…

Phil Lesh & Friends
May 18, 2008
Warfield Theater
San Francisco, California

1st Set:
Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, John Molo

Come Together> Jam> Dark Star (Phil sang v1, bobby v2)> Loose Lucy, West L.A. Fadeaway*, Wheel*, Not Fade Away*

*with Jeff Chimenti and Larry Campbell

Mini Acoustic Set w/Larry Campbell & Jackie Green:

Your Last Letter ? Maureen?, Sing Me Back Home, Deep Elem Blues, Instrumental ?, Warfield Waltz, Love Please Come Home, Good Night Irene

2nd Set:

Shakedown Street> Ball & Chain, Big River, Mississippi Half-Step**> Jam**> Althea**, Mexican Girl**, Stella Blue (Instrumental)**> Sugaree**

** with Mark Karan

Jackie and Tim Bluhm “Skinny Singers” mini set:

Spider John, ? (last goodbye?), ? (squeek wheel?)

3rd Set:

(Balloons drop from rafters), Sugar Magnolia, Unbroken Chain> Jam> Mountains of the Moon> Inspiration> I Know You Rider

E: Donor Rap, Truckin’, And We Bid You Goodnight