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All Photos By George Kopp

Phil Lesh and his current line-up of friends rocked Central Park on a warm late summer night, performing mostly Grateful Dead covers, but exploring and interpreting them in an exciting new style. Phil’s current sidemen include Chris Robinson, Neal Casal, Adam McDougall, Eric Krasno and Tony Leone. Robinson sang lead on the Black Crowes’ version of the Otis Redding classic, “Hard to Handle.” Mr. Lesh then took the lead on the Dead’s “Franklin’s Tower.” They also covered other Dead classics including “Easy Wind,” “Candyman,” “He’s Gone,” “St. Stephen” and Jerry Garcia’s “Sugaree.” The band also did a lovely version of “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds.” As is Dead tradition, there were lots of long improvisational jams and solos. They finished an early evening up (Central Park shows have to wrap by 10 p.m.) with crowd pleasing Dead classics “Mr. Charlie” and “U.S. Blues.”

– George Kopp