I have a tape from 1998 with the surviving members of the Grateful Dead that contains one of the most chill-inducing moments ever recorded. Performing as The Other Ones, it was the first time the band had performed as a whole since the death of Jerry Garcia. It was a hugely anticipated moment and they performed to perfection.
The moment in question comes during the opening notes of a song called “The Eleven.” Prior to that song, the band played “St. Stephen,” a song they had not played in some 10 years. Being a fan favorite, the audience erupted in joy as they once again could hear its notes played live. Though “The Eleven” originally followed “St. Stephen” in concert, it had not been performed live in nearly 30 years. It was something of a Holy Grail amongst Deadheads, being only a few people alive who could remember hearing the song performed as an audience member.
When the Other Ones began performing this relic of a song, the audience went absolutely bonkers. You can actual hear recognition sweep through the fans. With the first few bars there was a burst of excitement that grows and sweeps over the crowd as they began to realize they were in for something more than special – this was something historic and magical.
It was a perfect moment.
The Other Ones went on to perform several tours, eventually changing their name to the Dead. While they still get together from time to time, most of the surviving members have gone off to create their own side projects.
With Phil Lesh and Friends, the Grateful Dead bassist has created the perfect band name. With it, he gets immediate recognition, and can perpetually change the lineup for the band without ever having to worry about creating a new name – for it is always Phil and his friends.
And what friends they are. Since the fall of 2000, Phil has played with a virtual who’s who of the jam band scene. From old school jammers like members of Little Feat and the Allman Brothers Band, to fresher faces like that of Phish and Aquarian Rescue Unit, Phil’s friends have included some of the greatest improvisational musicians in rock music.
With the release of the two CD/two DVD set, Live at the Warfield, Relix Records have unleashed the bombastic sounds that make up the band's newest incarnation. Featuring Joan Osborne on vocals, John Scofield and Larry Campbell on guitars, Greg Osby on sax, Rob Barraco on keyboards, and John Molo on drums, the newest Friends are a formidable act indeed.
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
Will have to keep my eyes and ears peeled for this. I have a bootleg of one of the first shows they perfomed as The Dead. They were at the Warfield and were joined by Sammy Hagar and Osborne.
And can I just mention what a lovely song "Box of Rain" is?
2 - Mat Brewster
Aye, a grand tune it is, and even better when you know the story behind its creation.
I'm really not much for conceert videos so I suspect the DVD set won't get much play around here, but the CDs will get played a good deal, I'd say.
3 - Mark Saleski
i'm gonna have ta check this out. i forgot that Osborne had become involved. just think, Godchaux-related material without the off notes.
4 - Mat Brewster
They say Donna was a good singer, and I beleive she is in some kind of hall of fame for her work in Muscle Shoals, but you sure wouldn't know it from most of her live work with the Dead.
Joan does a very good job here, though she sounds a lot blusier than I remember from her stint with the Dead a few summers back.
5 - Jughead
I attended both these shows
Interesting to see how they will hold up on DVD and CD
Music was great, but several shows from Phil’s Winter Tour that year with a different lineup, IMO, eclipsed these shows
6 - Mat Brewster
I haven't heard any of the other shows from this tour. Which ones are you talking about and I'll track them down for a spin.
7 - Anth
Taping was expressly forbidden at these shows, so if there are copies floating around they are (1) hard to find, (2) the quality not up to snuff and (3) karmically tainted. Therefore the songs that were left off both DVD & CD (like Viola Lee Blues > Cumberland Blues which was amazing) will never be heard again. One can only hope that Phil -- a magnanimous and generous performer -- will gift these to the world someday soon as soundboard freebees, as he's done with gems in the past).
8 - Mat Brewster
Thanks Anth, I didn't realize there was a no taping policy at these shows, though it makes sense if they were planning on an official release.
Phil does have a tendency to release soundboards of his shows, so maybe fans will get an extra treat someday soon.