Photo Credit: Andrew Scott Blackstein
On Saturday, Sept. 23, Oteil & Friends arrived at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, N.Y. The ensemble, led by Oteil Burbridge, featured a talented assemblage of supporting artists such as Melvin Seals, Steve Kimock, Duane Betts, Jason Crosby, Johnny Kimock and Lamar Williams Jr. Over two sets, the esteemed grouping of players performed a mix of material that touched on the famed bassist’s storied career with the likes of Allman Brothers Band, Dead & Co., and his latest studio project which involved reinterpreting material from the Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter ballads collection.
To commence the night, the billed players dug into Dr. Lonnie Smith’s “Play it Back” in the same fashion they had the night prior in Providence, R.I. Next, the band beckoned to Burbridge’s Peacemakers material on “No More Doubt,” which came before the Charles Johnson original, turned Jerry Garica Band associated cover, “Sisters and Brothers.” After “New River Train,” “Rooster,” and “Time for the Sun,” the group worked through a take on “Cats Under Stars,” jamming on the 1978 title track.
For the final song of set one, Burbridge and friends took a chance on The Allman Brothers Band’s “Every Hungry Woman,” making a success out of the 1969 released track. Upon their return from set break, the group turned to Betts, performing his original, “Waiting on a Song.” Then, at the same time, Bob Dylan surprised guests at Farm Aid–The Capitol Theatre was treated to a take on “Positively 4th Street.” A high point occurred with the arrival of Bukka White’s “Fixin to Die,” which gave expansive space to jam.
After taking on the Hank Ballard penned “Tore Up Over You,” they added “Too Many Times,” prior to a take on the Grateful Dead’s “Standing on the Moon,” which appears on Burbridge’s latest studio release, Lovely View of Heaven. Memorable moments continued to unfold during the band’s mashup on “Friend of the Lithium Devil,” featuring elements of the Grateful Dead’s “Friend of the Devil” and Nirvana’s 1991 number, “Lithium.” The second set ended after Dylan’s “Knocking on Heaven’s Door.”
For the night’s encore, the band reemerged and cut into The Allman Brothers Band’s “Blue Sky,” followed by Peter Rowan’s “Midnight Moonlight.” For the final song of their covers heavy gig, the band pulled out another Allman Brothers original, “Memory of Elizabeth Reed.” Of note, prior to Burbridge’s fully-fledged performance at The Capitol Theatre, he surprised folks at the neighboring Garcia’s venue during Rock and Roll Playhouse‘s back-to-school bash featuring the music of the Grateful Dead.
Scroll down to view photos and video from Oteil’s weekend in Port Chester, N.Y.
Photos courtesy of Andrew Scott Blackstein.
Oteil & Friends
The Capitol Theatre – Port Chester, N.Y.
September 23, 2023
Set I: Play It Back (Dr. Lonnie Smith), No More Doubt (Oteil & the Peacemakers), My Sisters and Brothers (Charles Johnson), New River Train, Rooster (Oteil & the Peacemakers), Time for the Sun, Cats Under the Stars (Jerry Garcia), Every Hungry Woman (The Allman Brothers Band)
Set II: Waiting on a Song (Duane Betts), Positively 4th Street (Bob Dylan), Fixin to Die (Bukka White), Tore Up Over You (Hank Ballard), Too Many Times, Standing on the Moon (Grateful Dead), Friend of the Lithium Devil (Grateful Dead/Nirvana), Mighty High (Mighty Clouds of Joy), Mother’s Song, Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan)
Enc.: Blue Sky (The Allman Brothers Band), Midnight Moonlight (Peter Rowan), In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed (The Allman Brothers Band)