Phil 85, Part 1 - GOOD OL' GRATEFUL DEADCAST

Summary of "GOOD OL' GRATEFUL DEADCAST" Episode: Phil 85, Part 1

Podcast Information:

Title: GOOD OL' GRATEFUL DEADCAST
Host/Author: Grateful Dead
Episode: Phil 85, Part 1
Release Date: March 13, 2025

Introduction and New Releases

The inaugural episode of Season 11 of "The Good Ol’ Grateful Deadcast," hosted by Rich Mahan and Jesse Jarno, opens with an exciting announcement of two major Grateful Dead releases commemorating the band's 60th anniversary.

Enjoying the Ride: A limited edition 60 CD box set featuring over 450 tracks from 20 legendary venues, including previously unreleased performances. Rich Mahan highlights, “[...] virtually all of the music on Enjoying the Ride is previously unreleased, spanning more than 450 tracks and over 60 hours of music” (00:00).
The Music Never Stopped: A condensed version of the box set available on three CDs, six LPs, and digitally, offering a curated journey through the band’s live legacy. It will release simultaneously with Enjoying the Ride on May 30th (00:00).

Rich encourages listeners to explore past episodes and engage with the podcast community by sharing stories and reviews (00:00-05:04).

Tribute to Phil Lesh

As Season 10 concluded, the podcast paid homage to Phil Lesh, the Grateful Dead's iconic bassist, who passed away last October. This episode marks the first of a two-part series dedicated to celebrating Phil's profound impact on the band and the music world.

Rich introduces Phil Lesh as the "Grandmaster of low end deployment" and sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of Phil's legacy (00:00-05:04).

Phil Lesh's Musical Style and Influence

The hosts delve into what made Phil Lesh's bass playing unique and influential.

David Lemieux, the Grateful Dead archivist, shares his first encounter with Phil’s bass work, stating, “That sounds like Phil Lesh playing Not Fade Away on Skull and Roses. I felt. Didn't hear it. I felt it was Phil playing Not Fade Away” (05:04).
Mike Gordon of Phish discusses Phil's innovative use of the bass, likening it to “a conjuring trick of magic” that implied chords and rhythms without explicitly playing them (08:11).
Oteil Burbridge from Dead & Company emphasizes Phil's freedom in playing, noting, “Phil had no rules, so he would do all these bass substitutions” (09:53).

Phil’s approach to the bass was not just about supporting the rhythm but about creating a melodic and harmonic dialogue within the music.

Phil Lesh's Early Life and Musical Journey

The episode transitions to Phil Lesh’s formative years, highlighting his deep dive into classical and jazz music, which profoundly shaped his unique bass style.

Tom Constantin recounts Phil’s early exposure to classical music and his first experiences with the trumpet and violin (18:24).
Phil reflects on his self-taught journey into composition, saying, “I started playing trumpet because I wanted to play jazz, but I also wanted to play classical music with it” (21:48).

Phil’s discovery of avant-garde composers like Charles Ives and his involvement with the San Francisco Improvisation Group underscore his commitment to musical exploration (25:55).

Phil's Relationship with Jerry Garcia and the Formation of the Grateful Dead

Phil Lesh’s pivotal meeting with Jerry Garcia and the formation of the Grateful Dead are recounted through personal anecdotes and historical context.

Jerry Garcia describes Phil as “a lunatic classical composer” and emphasizes their immediate connection (12:00).
Sam Cutler, a former radio conspirator with Phil, shares insights into Phil’s role as the band leader, highlighting his unique leadership style that balanced musical excellence with anarchy (15:05).

The story of Phil joining the Warlocks (which would become the Grateful Dead) is narrated with vivid recollections of their early gigs and the atmosphere surrounding their performances (46:37).

Phil’s Impact on Other Musicians

The episode features insights from contemporary bassists who credit Phil Lesh with shaping their musical approaches.

Mike Gordon discusses how Phil’s bass lines inspired him to innovate within his own playing, mentioning, “I specifically avoided learning his bass lines because I liked it too much” (61:26).
Oteil Burbridge elaborates on Phil’s ethos of defying expectations, stating, “Phil's whole ethos is like, you know, wait, I think it's a Beethoven quote. It's every artist's duty to confound expectation” (58:10).

These testimonials highlight Phil’s enduring legacy and his role in redefining the bass guitar’s place in rock music.

Phil Lesh's Philosophy and Musical Vision

Phil Lesh’s own words provide a window into his artistic vision and philosophy.

Phil asserts, “None of us need to be instrumental virtuosos, because the meat of our music doesn't lie in flights of technique. It lies in the interplay between us and the tension and the space that we can create” (48:36).
He further explains the unified concept behind Anthem of the Sun, emphasizing musical cohesion over lyrical or literary themes (53:37).

Phil’s dedication to blending multiple musical influences and creating a cohesive, exploratory sound is evident throughout the discussion.

Conclusion and Upcoming Content

The episode concludes by affirming Phil Lesh’s monumental influence on the Grateful Dead and the broader music landscape. Hosts Rich Mahan and Jesse Jarno tease the continuation of Phil’s story in the next episode, promising deeper insights from guests like Mike Gordon, Oteil Burbridge, Phil’s collaborator Ned Lagin, and others.

Rich wraps up by thanking the guests and contributors, emphasizing the collaborative effort behind the podcast (70:46).

Notable Quotes and Attributions:

David Lemieux [05:37]: “There's nothing like Phil's bass playing, and it is such an integral part of Grateful Dead music. Without it, it's not Grateful Dead music.”
Jerry Garcia [12:00]: “When I met Phil, he was a lunatic classical composer. He had an incredible musical education. The most knowledgeable guy I've ever known.”
Phil Lesh [14:08]: “...it seemed logical to apply some of those structural techniques...”
Mike Gordon [58:10]: “...every artist's duty to confound expectation and that...”
Phil Lesh [48:36]: “None of us need to be instrumental virtuosos...”

Key Topics Discussed:

Phil Lesh’s Unique Bass Style: Exploring how Phil’s classical and jazz background influenced his approach to the bass, making it a leading, melodic instrument rather than just a rhythmic foundation.
Phil’s Early Musical Influences: His journey from classical violin and trumpet to self-taught composition, and his discovery of avant-garde music.
Formation of the Grateful Dead: Phil’s meeting with Jerry Garcia, joining the Warlocks, and the early dynamics of the band.
Phil’s Leadership and Band Dynamics: How Phil became the de facto band leader, balancing musical excellence with a free-spirited approach.
Influence on Contemporary Musicians: Testimonials from Mike Gordon and Oteil Burbridge on how Phil’s playing inspired their own styles and approaches.
Phil’s Musical Philosophy: Focus on musical interplay, tension, space, and creating a cohesive sound over technical virtuosity.

Conclusion

The first part of the Phil 85 series on "The Good Ol’ Grateful Deadcast" offers a comprehensive and heartfelt tribute to Phil Lesh, celebrating his unparalleled contribution to the Grateful Dead and the evolution of rock music. By intertwining personal anecdotes, expert testimonies, and Phil’s own reflections, the episode paints a vivid portrait of a musician who redefined the role of the bass in a rock band and left an indelible mark on generations of artists.

Listeners are left eagerly anticipating the continuation of Phil’s story in the next episode, which promises to delve deeper into his collaborations and the enduring legacy of his musical innovations.