Summary of "GOOD OL' GRATEFUL DEADCAST" Episode: Phil 85, Part 2

Release Date: March 27, 2025

Introduction

In "Phil 85, Part 2," hosts Rich Mahan and Jesse Jarno delve deeper into the life and legacy of Phil Lesh, the esteemed bassist of the Grateful Dead. Building upon the foundations laid in Part 1, this episode offers an expansive exploration of Phil's unique approach to music, his intricate bass techniques, collaborations, personal struggles, and enduring influence within and beyond the Grateful Dead community.

New Grateful Dead Releases

Announcements of Upcoming Releases:

The episode opens with exciting news for Deadheads: the announcement of two significant Grateful Dead releases.

1. "Enjoying the Ride" Box Set:

   • Details: A monumental 60-CD limited edition box set celebrating the Grateful Dead's 60th anniversary.
   • Content: Features over 450 tracks spanning more than 60 hours of music, including unreleased performances from 20 legendary venues.
   • Availability: Limited to 6,000 numbered copies, available exclusively at dead.net starting May 30th, 2025.

   Rich Mahan at [04:58]: "Enjoying the Ride is available exclusively from dead.net and you can pre-order your copy today."

2. "Music Never Stop":

   • Details: A condensed version of "Enjoying the Ride," providing a curated selection of songs from each venue featured in the deluxe set.
   • Formats: Available on three CDs, six LPs, or digitally via rhino.com, also releasing on May 30th.

Phil Lesh’s Musicality and Approach

Guest Insights from Graham Lesh:

Phil Lesh's son, Graham Lesh, offers intimate insights into Phil's teaching methods and musical philosophy.

• Phil's Teaching Method:

  • Philosophy: Emphasizes openness without domination, allowing the song and music to lead.

  Graham Lesh at [07:11]: "Everyone has to be open, but no one person can be too domineering with anything either. The song will lead the way, the music will lead the way."

• Phil's "School":

  • Approach: During rehearsals at Terrapin Crossroads, Phil would review performances, providing pointers in a manner akin to Zen teachings.

  Graham Lesh at [06:59]: "When he started Terrapin Crossroads, he would take all of us musicians and we'd have Phil School. He would listen to us rehearse and have pointers. Never play the same thing."

Phil’s Songwriting and Complex Structures

Exploration of Phil’s Compositions:

Phil Lesh is renowned for his intricate songwriting, often incorporating unconventional time signatures and complex harmonic structures.

• "Box of Rain":

  • Background: Co-written with Robert Hunter during a poignant period when Phil's father was ill.
  • Musical Complexity: Features shifting chord progressions and time signatures that challenge traditional structures.

  Graham Lesh at [11:22]: "If you lay it out and you look at it as a chart, they do make sense. And you do start to see the thought process..."

• "Unbroken Chain" and "Pride of Cucamongo":

  • Characteristics: Both songs exhibit Phil’s penchant for varying chord progressions within verses, creating a tapestry of melodic and rhythmic complexity.

  David Crosby at [15:56]: "It really did sound just like math to me, not emotion. But with Phil... it really felt like it was for emotional purposes, all the mathematical parts."

Collaborations Beyond the Grateful Dead

Working with Ned Lagin and David Crosby:

Phil Lesh extended his musical collaborations beyond the core Grateful Dead lineup, notably working with avant-garde composer Ned Lagin and folk-rock legend David Crosby.

• Ned Lagin and "Seastones":

  • Collaboration: Phil joined forces with Ned Lagin to perform "Seastones," an experimental electronic composition.
  • Performance: One notable performance at Miami High Alai on June 23, 1974, showcased their melding of improvisation and structured composition.

  Ned Lagin at [20:04]: "It was such a gas to see Crosby jumping in on something like that."

• David Crosby’s Contribution:

  • "Unbroken Chain": Crosby recounts Phil's intricate bass lines that weave through the song, enhancing its emotional depth.

  David Crosby at [15:03]: "There's a sign if there's six verses, many verses, they're all different... Every verse has a slightly different chord progression."

Phil’s Instrumentation and Equipment

Transition to Custom Basses:

Phil Lesh's commitment to evolving his sound is evident in his transition from traditional four-string basses to more complex instruments.

• Alembic Basses:

  • "Big Brown" and "Osiris": Customized by Alembic, these basses featured extensive controls for shaping Phil's distinct tones.

  Graham Lesh at [32:32]: "It's always melodic, and it's always not exactly in the rhythmic place that you think, but it is so perfectly groovy and funky at the same time."

• Six-String Bass:

  • Introduction: Phil debuted his six-string bass during late 1982 shows, enhancing his melodic range and tonal versatility.

  David Lemieux at [56:57]: "It sort of allows you to play like across the neck instead of like so much up and down."

Challenges During the 1970s and 1980s

Personal Struggles and Reduced Role:

The late '70s and early '80s were tumultuous for Phil Lesh, marked by personal challenges and a diminishing role within the Grateful Dead.

• Alcoholism and Isolation:

  • Phil’s Reflection: Phil recounts his descent into alcoholism, attributing it to feelings of isolation after a decade immersed in the band.

  Phil Lesh at [51:25]: "Thus began my descent into alcoholism."

• Vocal Issues:

  • Impact on Performances: Bob Weir explains that Phil lost his vocal capabilities due to improper singing techniques, leading to him no longer having a vocal mic during live performances.

  Bob Weir at [52:10]: "He blew his voice singing. Improper singing technique."

• Songwriting Difficulties:

  • Unusual Structures: Phil struggled to communicate his complex musical ideas to the band, often resulting in songs that were difficult to perform live.

  Phil Lesh at [14:13]: "If I wanted to do a tune that alternated between 6, 4 and 5, 4, say just on a level of rhythm or meter rather, it was real hard for the guys in the band to remember when the changes were gonna come."

Phil’s Return and Musical Evolution

Formation of Phil and Friends and Terrapin Crossroads:

After overcoming personal hurdles, Phil Lesh revitalized his musical journey through various projects.

• Phil and Friends:

  • Inception: Began in the late '90s, featuring a rotating lineup of musicians and focusing on improvisation and exploration of the Grateful Dead’s repertoire.

  Rob Collier at [97:36]: "He could schedule gigs fairly spontaneously... Any combination of musicians could sound different from any other combination."

• Terrapin Crossroads:

  • Establishment: Opened in 2011 in San Rafael, serving as a hub for live performances and Phil’s ongoing projects.

  Rob Collier at [99:46]: "Once he got Terrapin Crossroads up and running, it was just like the greatest little playhouse in the world."

Support for Experimental Music and the Rex Foundation

Rex Radio and Rex Foundation:

Phil Lesh’s dedication to fostering experimental and avant-garde music is highlighted through his involvement with the Rex Foundation and Rex Radio.

• Rex Radio:

  • Creation: Started in June 1987 as a platform to broadcast eclectic and obscure music selections.

  Phil Lesh at [68:02]: "What I wanted to do... was to bring this music to an audience so that others could enjoy it as I had."

• Impact: Provided vital support and exposure for composers and artists outside the mainstream musical establishment.

  Rob Collier at [68:13]: "The composers were just flabbergasted... they had no idea who were behind."

Phil’s Family and Influence

Influence on Sons Graham and Brian:

Phil Lesh's role as a father intertwined with his musical legacy, influencing his sons' paths in the music world.

• Graham and Brian Lesh:

  • Early Exposure: Grew up amidst the Grateful Dead’s tours, fostering a deep connection to music from a young age.

  Graham Lesh at [80:06]: "My folks traveled as a family unit... to a little bit more of an extent than maybe before my brother and I were born."

• Onstage Moments:

  • Nostalgic Performances: Memorable instances where Phil incorporated his sons into live shows, such as the giant purple dinosaur act at Nassau Coliseum in 1993.

  Graham Lesh at [81:04]: "It was not my dad in the costume. It was my dad behind the road cases."

Legacy and Ongoing Influence

Impact on Fellow Musicians:

Phil Lesh's innovative bass techniques have left a lasting imprint on musicians across genres.

• Influence on Mike Gordon (Phish):

  • Adoption of Techniques: Mike Gordon discusses his admiration for Phil’s counterpoint and melodic approach, shaping his own bass playing style.

  Mike Gordon at [98:27]: "Trying what Phil tried... I pretty much abandoned that."

• Collaborations and Mutual Respect:

  • Shared Performances: Instances where Phil joined other artists on stage, fostering a culture of musical exchange and mutual growth.

  David Crosby at [28:24]: "They even briefly formed a quartet featuring Crosby, Garcia, Lasch and Kreutzman."

Conclusion

"Phil 85, Part 2" offers a comprehensive look into Phil Lesh's profound influence on the Grateful Dead and the broader musical landscape. Through detailed discussions, personal anecdotes from family and collaborators, and in-depth exploration of his musical innovations, the episode celebrates Phil's enduring legacy as a visionary bassist, composer, and mentor. His journey—from navigating personal struggles to pioneering experimental music spaces—illustrates the depth and resilience that have solidified Phil Lesh as a cornerstone in the world of progressive and improvisational music.

Notable Quotes

• Phil Lesh on Complexity: [05:47] "Phil is an incredibly complex guy. He's an incredibly brilliant, incredibly complex guy."

• Graham Lesh on "Unbroken Chain": [15:43] "Blue light rain... Unbroken chain... Looking for familiar faces in an empty window bay."

• Phil Lesh on Addiction: [51:25] "Thus began my descent into alcoholism."

• David Crosby on Phil's Bass Lines: [15:43] "With Phil, and as with the Grateful Dead in general, when they got into the froggier sounding stuff, it really felt like it was for emotional purposes, all the mathematical parts."

• Phil Lesh on Organ Donation: [90:19] "I'm a liver transplant survivor and I'm lucky to be alive at all... Please join me in honoring his courage... by turning to someone that you love and that loves you... and tell them, hey, if anything ever happens to me, you know, I want to be an organ donor."

References

• Related Episodes:
  • "Our American Beauty"
  • "Unbroken Chain"
  • "Loose Lucy"
  • "Addicts of My Life"
  • "Midnight North"
  • "Mars Hotel"
  • "Deadcast Index"

All referenced episodes and additional content are available for listening at dead.net/deadcast.

This summary encapsulates key discussions, insights, and notable moments from "Phil 85, Part 2," providing listeners and newcomers alike with a rich understanding of Phil Lesh's multifaceted contributions to music and the Grateful Dead's enduring legacy.