Photo by Kyle Stites

A rousing rendition of “Cumberland Blues” kicked off Phil Lesh & Friends’ fourth night of a fourteen-show run at New York City’s Nokia Theater, and the band didn’t quit after that.  The quintet, featuring Phil on vocals and bass, Jackie Greene on guitar and vocals, Larry Campbell on guitar, pedal steel and mandolin, John Molo playing drums and Steve Molitz behind the keyboards, continued from the opening moments to please the crowd.

The first set was packed full of old favorites.  Greene and Campbell traded guitar solos on “Beat it Down the Line;” a jam of “Loser” chugged into “New Minglewood Blues” and then “Brown Eyed Women” was followed by Theresa Williams belting out “Dancin’ in the Streets.” Set one went too quickly, but when it finished, the approximately four-fifths capacity crowd shuffled outside for a much needed smoke break before rushing back to the ballroom. 

Waiting for the second set to begin, it became apparent that there would be at least one member added to the lineup, as an extra microphone and guitar amplifier were placed on the stage.  It wasn’t hard to imagine who the guest would be when a Warren Haynes body double walked onstage to tune up.

Indeed, Warren Haynes joined the group for the entire second set, adding some freshness to an already joyous occasion, and allowing Greene and Campbell to tackle the keyboard and pedal steel guitar, respectively, which they hadn’t touched during the first set.  If that weren’t enough, a “Scarlet Begonias” > “Dire Wolf” > “Fire on the Mountain” jam certainly let the audience know that this particular Monday was a good night to see the band.  And they weren’t done either, bringing photographer Danny Clinch onstage with his harmonica for a “Viola Lee Blues” jam surrounding “Deal” and “Death Don’t Have No Mercy.”

As expected, Phil spoke out on the responsibility of participating in the next day’s presidential election before informing his fans of the importance of becoming organ donors, at which point Warren rejoined the group onstage for the encore and sang the lead vocal on the always touching “Stella Blue.”

Phil Lesh & Friends continue the 2^nd Annual “Philathon” at Nokia Theater this month before gearing up for two nights in San Francisco to celebrate the New Year, joined by Bob Weir and Ratdog.