Phil Lesh and his ever present “Friends” set up shop at the Mission Ballroom last weekend and this time around he invited Grahame Lesh on guitar and John Molo on drums, Rick Mitarotonda of Goose, Jason Crosby on keyboards and violin, and the Trey Anastasio Band horns, Natalie Cressman, Jennifer Hartswick, and James Casey.
There was one line that was running through my head all night – and yes, it’s a little cheesy but I couldn’t shake it – Weir Back! From the opening notes of “New Speedway Boogie” it was apparent that not only were the Deadheads back in force, but so was Bobby. Looking to be in great shape both physically and vocally, Weir’s choice of songs to open his first show back from the pandemic was no happenstance as the opening trio all contained references to the odd year we’ve all endured together, and apart.
You can’t help but to get a little nostalgic when David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash take the stage. It doesn’t matter where the venue is and it shouldn’t matter the age of the audience member. Once they hit the stage and strap in, you cant help but to realize their place and importance in both the Rock and Folk music genres. The crowd at Red Rocks on Tuesday were loving every minute of being there, basking in the presence of 3 true musical legends who brought them back to a much different time.
Last year, Colorado folk music fans had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with Anais Mitchell’s music. In April she opened up for Graham Nash and David Crosby at The Paramount Theatre, late summer brought her to the mainstage of The Rocky Mountain Folks Festival, and Swallow Hill Music Association presented her “Folk-Opera” Hadestown in October. Her new album, Young Man in America, will be released on February 28th.