Phil Lesh and Friends 

October 19, 2000

By Jeff Wisser 

"There is nothing like a Grateful Dead concert!"

That was the tag line on "The Grateful Dead Movie" back in the late '70s, 
but, after Wednesday night's curtain raiser on a four-night stand by Dead 
bassist Phil Lesh & Friends, the tag line is no longer accurate.

A Phil Lesh & Friends show--at least the one Wednesday--was a lot like a 
Grateful Dead concert.

The smoke from cigarettes and other smoking materials filled the air. Dozens 
of microphones were set up on the Riviera's main floor to pick up every note,
nuance and bit of nonsense. And young white people of questionable personal 
hygiene danced in tight circles with no apparent sense of rhythm.

Oh, and the music, consisting of a couple of covers and a sizable chunk of 
the Jerry Garcia-Robert Hunter songbook, was more than a little familiar.

By adding the guitarist Warren Haynes to the jazz-rock/jam band stylings of 
keyboardist Rob Barraco, drummer John Molo and guitarist Jimmy Herring, Lesh
has assembled a formidable Grateful Dead tribute band.

Wednesday night, that was not such a bad thing.

After an uneven beginning that featured a bit too much aimless noodling on 
Traffic's "Low Spark of High Heeled Boys," the band kicked things into high 
gear with spirited readings of Dead staples "Sugaree," "Tennessee Jed," 
"Ramble On Rose," "Cold Rain and Snow," "Playing in the Band" and "Bertha."

And there at the center was Lesh. Haynes and Barraco may have added the 
finishing touches. Molo and Herring may have put a charge into the rhythm. 
But it was Lesh out front in a game of follow the leader.

And while Lesh--who shared vocal duties with Haynes and Barraco--may not have 
the most mellifluous pipes around, the band's three-part harmonies were solid.

On this night in Uncle Phil's Sonic Kitchen, the chef mixed the ingredients
with panache.

Phil Lesh and Friends
7:30 tonight through Saturday
Riviera, 4746 N. Racine
Tickets, $30.50
(312) 559-1212
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