Picture Show: Phil & Friends’ Mardi Gras

With 6 pm doors and 7 pm opener – appropriately, the New Orleans stylings of Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk – we did not expect to be sprung back onto the rainy streets of San Francisco after 2 am. No complaints on the long sets, although the breaks between Dumpstaphunk and then P&F’s sets could have been a lot shorter.

Inside Bill Graham Civic is an immense and non-descript space with potential sound problems, but the production was strong (a few minor vocal mic issues at the start were quickly fixed) and festive decorations made the cavern feel more like a room. That, and the positively electric energy of the very mixed-age crowd made for an incredibly lively soiree, fueled by a quintet that delivered heartfelt, tasteful versions of classic Grateful Dead songs and signature covers while injecting the music with tumultuous psychedelic jams.

Phil seems to revel in and shine with the current line-up: now-longtime drummer John Molo (a.k.a. “The God John Molo,” as Phil introduced him at the end), keyboardist Steve Molitz (of Particle fame, who had just joined the band at the Mardi Gras celebration three years ago), guitarist Larry Campbell (whose occasional pedal steel playing was a lovely addition to several songs) and multi-instrumentalist Jackie Greene (Sacramento wunderkind who took the lead on most vocals, in addition to playing guitar, keys and harmonica). Jackie’s bluesy style is well-suited to the R&B leanings of much of the song selection that night, and there was even a nod to Pigpen during the set closer when Jackie rapped during the “Caution” portion of “Viola Lee Blues > Caution > Viola Lee.”

There was a distinctly vintage feel to the show, yet with an interesting twist when they opened with “One More Saturday Night” — always a dreaded Dead closer for me, it nonetheless makes a good opener (who knew?). This was followed by “Brown Eyed Woman,” during which Phil sang the lines referencing “the old man,” a nice touch to a beloved song that perhaps reflects on himself as well as those who have passed. I think it was then that I spotted the little Jerry doll propped up stage left.

After a fun, upbeat “Pride of Cucamonga” they slipped in a Jackie Greene original called “Cold Black Devil,” which was solid. True to the nature of the song, “The Golden Road” brought the raucous party vibe. Great rendition. “In the Midnight Hour” made way for “Viola Lee Blues,” a song that P&F typically does very well, and this version was well done indeed.

The end-of-set-break costume contest with Judge Phil was won, via audience acclaim, by the giant blue dancing bear, who should get props for wearing that rig all night. More waiting for set break to end, only to be relieved by a “Shakedown” that set the tone for the craziness that followed with the Mardi Gras parade. What would a Mardi Gras Ball be with out “Iko Iko”? Especially with Ivan Neville joining the fun on B-3 organ and vocals. It was a long, long version, but then again they had to extend the song until the parade made it to the opposite end of the floor and back.

And what a spectacular parade it was! Glowing mushrooms jutting out of one float, a giant earth sphere propped on another, stilt walkers, confetti blasts, lots and lots of beads, Wavy Gravy wearing his ubiquitous clown nose. We were right on the sidelines, and if there were 8,000 fans during the first set, it felt like 15,000 converged during the parade.

The “long strange trip” refrain during “Truckin'” (the next number, also with Ivan sitting in) was well placed. The rest of the set featured more fine song selections – “Jack Straw” and “St. Stephen > The Eleven” – more Dead material that the mercurial P&F typically does very well and certainly did on this night, all fired up and mounting on the post-parade momentum.

We shifted over to house left on the floor for the rest of the second set, where there was a lot of elbow room and all the kids were getting down. A lovely “Unbroken Chain,” a hot “Fire on the Mountain” followed by “I Know You Rider.” The dance floor was a swirl of bodies, colorful costumes and shiny beads. If people were bummed that “Morning Dew” brought it down a bit too much, I was thankful for the respite. It was hot in there, although hearing Phil’s voice carry across the room gave me a chill; considering how lit up the crowd was, it’s amazing how quiet it got during that song.

“Uncle John’s Band” was a wonderful way to close the set, followed by Phil’s pre-encore donor rap. Tonight he brought Jen Setzekorn to the stage, wife of Jeff Setzekorn, a Modesto man and long-time fan who died just last month in a car accident on his way to work. The positive note to this sad story is he is an organ donor who has so far given life-saving organs to four recipients, which really brought it home for the donor rap.

Though I’m not too knowledgeable about Mardi Gras traditions, for me the recurring themes of the evening were honoring the souls of the dead, paying respect and keeping their memories alive, all while reveling in the present moment and having a hell of a good time. The “Box of Rain” encore was not too heavy or crazy, not a blow-out as some of the other numbers, but well played and a nice way to wind up the party and say goodnight.

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Set List:

I
One More Saturday Night
Brown Eyed Woman
Pride of Cucamonga
Cold Black Devil
The Golden Road
In the Midnight Hour
Viola Lee Blues >
Caution > Viola Lee

II
Shakedown Street
Iko Iko *
Truckin’ *
Jack Straw
St. Stephen >
The Eleven
Unbroken Chain
Fire on the Mountain >
I Know You Rider
Morning Dew
Uncle John’s Band

E: Box of Rain

* w/Ivan Neville on B-3 and vocals