Phil Lesh and his son Grahame Lesh play Grateful Dead classics in the first episode of eTown Hall‘s new Solar Sessions series.
Launched on Sunday, just in time for Father’s Day, the Solar Sessions feature performances and interviews filmed in eTown’s solar-powered building and recording studio. The Lesh men open the first episode of the series with a duet on “Friend of the Devil”. The episode then continues with a conversation between Phil and eTown founder Nick Forster, who asks the Grateful Dead bassist about his early love of classical music before reading questions submitted by Phish bassist Mike Gordon, who he says almost conducted the interview himself. Gordon’s questions breach some heady topics, including whether or not there is still a Phil when “the music plays itself” and what steps he takes to channel music from its divine source.
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Forster goes on to ask about Phil’s experience as a bandleader, to which he replies, “I’m not really a band leader,” comparing himself to Jerry Garcia in the way he opens up musical doors without pushing his band through them. The conversation then turns to Phil’s musical collaborations with his son.
“That really is kind of the pinnacle really, especially when it happens at that level. There’s an extra color and warmth to it, you know? You end up knowing each other better than you you might ordinarily without that experience.”
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After one more question from Mike about what advice he would give young musicians (“Listen, listen, listen…”), the episode returns to the music with Phil and Grahame’s duo take on “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo”. Forster then interviews the younger Lesh about topics including his work alongside Amy Helm in the Luther Dickinson-led project Capitol Sun Rays, growing up around the Grateful Dead, the time his dad played in his high school talent show, and more. The episode ends with the Leshes playing “Jack Straw”.
Watch the full eTown Solar Sessions episode featuring Phil and Grahame Lesh below.
eTown Solar Sessions – Phil Lesh & Grahame Lesh