Update: Thanks to Mr. Railing, aka seaweed1010 for the recording!

Bobby and Phil returned to Radio City Music Hall for their second show in as many nights as their first ever ‘Duo’ tour. A different set-list was guaranteed for night two, but no-one knew what was in store until a couple of hours before the show when Trey Anastasio headed into Radio City for a soundcheck.

The opening chords of “Playin’ in the Band” rang through the hall to kick off the second set and as the curtain rose, it was revealed that the duo turned into a trio with Trey on the acoustic guitar. Trey didn’t just stick around for a couple of songs, but instead jammed with the founding members of the Grateful Dead for over 100 minutes.

Having not played with Bobby and Phil since Fare Thee Well, Trey had difficult moments finding his place in the arrangements. On the flip-side, there were plenty of moments of brilliance that this once-in-a-lifetime collaboration yielded. The spacey jams that characterized the first half of the set, gave way to more intense and focused jams in the second half of the set.

Some of the highlights for me included Bobby, Phil and Trey trading verses on “Dark Star,” Trey opening up a little on “Jack Straw,” the energy of “Eyes,” and the force of “St. Stephen” and “Viola Lee Blues.” Just when you thought the set was over, the band kept on turning the heat up.

The love and appreciation that Bobby, Phil and Trey have for each other was palpable last night. From Trey’s almost annoying politeness when restraining a bust out jam to the multiple hugs that Phil gave Bobby and Trey on stage, it was apparent that the musicians were also aware of what a treat the evening was. Before Phil gave his donor rap, he commended the fans for squeezing him for everything he had last night.

Trey joined Bobby, Phil and Wally Ingram for a fitting “Ripple” encore to end a set for the ages.

Set 1
New Speedway Boogie* (bw, pl)
West L.A. Fadeaway* (bw)
Lazy River Road (pl)
Bobby’s Duck Joke
Deep Elem Blues* (bw)
Row Jimmy (bw)
Cassidy > (bw)
Touch Of Grey* > (bw, pl)
Cassidy* (bw)

Set 2
Playing In The Band (bw)
The Wheel > (all)
Dark Star v1 > (ta, pl, bw)
Jack Straw > (bw, pl)
Eyes Of The World > (ta)
Dark Star v2 > (pl, bw)
St. Stephen > (all)
Viola Lee Blues > (all)
Standing On The Moon > (bw)
Viola Lee Blues (all)

Encore
donor rap
Ripple (bw)

*Wally Ingram on drums

Thanks to skriddler for the stream!