Believe It If You Need It - Remembering Phil Lesh

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Hosted by: 
Produced by: 
KBOO
Air date: 
Sat, 01/18/2025 - 12:00pm to 2:00pm
Phil Lesh of The Grateful Dead, circo 1967.
The first of several broadcasts highlighting his musical genius.

 

Sadly, Phil Lesh no longer makes music.  Luckily, prior to his death last October 25th, he left an utterly gargantuan catalog of recorded live performances, both with The Grateful Dead and afterward in various iterations, with his, and other bands.  

This show launches my long awaited (at least by me), multi-show tribute to Phil's musical career.  My aim is to offer a comprehensive listen to the quality and expansiveness of Phil's work as a musician, composer, lyricist, and vocalist, across seven decades; but be prepared for some disappointment.  There's simply too much material, and ideas regarding their presentation, to squeeze it into about 7 1/2 hours, given that Phil has perhaps played more live concert time than anyone else (can we know this?).  Expect each broadcast to have a focus, maybe even foci.

Today's initial foray is tightly focused on the pre-1970 (~)Grateful Dead.  Think (mostly) deep psychedelic improvisations that are somehow eerily familiar, and you're in front of Phil's speakers.  But never forget the early years.

Episode Playlist

  • Time
    12:05
    Artist
    The Grateful Dead
    Song
    Born Cross-Eyed > space
    Album
    1-20-68 - Eureka Municipal Auditorium, Eureka, CA
    Label
    http://www.archive.org/details/gd1968-01-20.sbd.miller.97340.sbeok.flac16
  • Time
    12:09
    Artist
    Mickey and the Heartbeats
    Song
    Clementine jam
    Album
    10-30-68 - The Matrix, San Francisco, CA
    Label
    http://www.archive.org/details/gd68-10-30.sbd.sacks.1205.sbeok.shnf
  • Time
    12:27
    Artist
    The Grateful Dead
    Song
    No Left Turn Unstoned (Cardboard Cowboy)
    Album
    7-29-66 - P.N.E. Garden Auditorium, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Label
    http://www.archive.org/details/gd1966-07-29.sbd.GEMS.94633.flac16
  • Time
    12:31
    Artist
    The Grateful Dead
    Song
    Alligator > drums > jam > Caution (Do Not Stop on Tracks)
    Album
    2-28-69 - Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA
    Label
    http://www.archive.org/details/gd1969-02-28.132672.sbd.multi.track.healy-latvala-wise.flac16
  • Time
    1:04
    Artist
    The Grateful Dead
    Song
    Viola Lee Blues
    Album
    1-14-67 - Polo Field, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA
    Label
    http://www.archive.org/details/gd67-01-14.sbd.vernon.9108.sbeok.shnf
  • Time
    1:15
    Artist
    Mickey and the Heartbeats
    Song
    Dark Star
    Album
    10-30-68
    Label
  • Time
    1:35
    Artist
    The Grateful Dead
    Song
    Mindbender (Confusion's Prince)
    Album
    5-19-66 - Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA\
    Label
    http://www.archive.org/details/gd1966-05-19.sbd.miller.106683.flac16
  • Time
    1:38
    Artist
    The Grateful Dead
    Song
    St. Stephen
    Album
    8-24-68 - Shrine Exhibition Hall, Los Angeles, CA
    Label
  • Time
    1:42
    Artist
    The Grateful Dead
    Song
    New Potato Caboose
    Album
    1-24-69 - Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA
    Label
    http://www.archive.org/details/gd1969-01-24.sbd.fix.miller.110304.flac16
  • Time
    1:55
    Artist
    The Grateful Dead
    Song
    FEEDBACK
    Album
    12-12-69 - Thelma Theater, Los Angeles, CA
    Label
    http://www.archive.org/details/gd1969-12-12.sbd.clugston.2247.shnf
  • Time
    1:58
    Artist
    Bob Dylan
    Song
    Masters of War
    Album
    The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
    Label
    Crazy Warthog Media

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