Photo Credit: Marc Millman

Phil Lesh has delivered the latest episode of his Terrapin Clubhouse Sessions. The celebrated bassist and original member of the Grateful Dead returns with series frequenters Jason Crosby, Alex Koford, Grahame Lesh, Stu Allen, Elliott Peck, and Rolling Stones saxophonist and bandleader the effervescent Karl Denson, a first-time contributor to the multi-part YouTube series. 

Staying consistent with previous episodes, the sixth installment begins with the group huddled in a semicircle, participating in a conversation that lends itself to the impending musical delivery. Lesh dips into historical anecdotes while outlining what’s to come, touching on the Dead’s association with The Rolling Stones in a shared back-and-forth with Denson, who references a time he asked bandmate Keith Richards about his experience listening to blues classics, like “Smokestack Lightning” on the radio. 

Richards told Denson that tunes of the like weren’t played across the airwaves. Instead, the band depended on Brian Jones to import the sought-after recordings. Tossing tales, Phil turned toward Ron “Pigpen” McKernan (as suggested by Grahame) and his massive impact on the Dead’s taste in blues and R&B due in part to his father’s role as a disc jockey. Lesh references the Dead’s reputation for performing all the Stones’ newest songs, making it easier to get gigs due to catalog association, back in the day.

With a chuckle, Lesh adds, “Then… We started playing songs for 45 minutes,” delineating the difference in style and culling a humorous response from Denson, who says, “The longest version of ‘Satisfaction’ ever known to man.” Breaking down Stones originals, like “Get Off Of My Cloud,” the group discusses the British band’s take on songwriting, discussing Richards’ place, providing hooks. At the same time, Mick Jagger would fill in the verses, making for a collaborative experience. 

To start the video’s live performance aspect, Denson opens “Shakedown Street” with quick accompaniment from the rest of the group. A stunning solo from virtuoso contributor Crosby highlights the delivery. Without pause, they sequence the song above into “Miss You,” which reveals an instrumental interlude led by Denson. 

After cashing in on a brief rest, the ensemble wastes little time returning to their designated task and The Rolling Stones archive, with Allen’s strums open the recognizable onset of “Gimme Shelter.” The interpretation of the 1969 originator accentuates Peck’s vocal strengths while staying consistent with the original flow, partly due to Koford’s exemplary backbeat and esteemed precision, before driving home the start of “Not Fade Away,” which serves as the group’s final number. 

Notably, the collision of the Grateful Dead and Rolling Stones’ music has been a point of interest for players, including Grahame Lesh, Crosby, and Koford, who have combined the two songbooks into a live setting during their Gratefully Stoned concerts, billed as The Terrapin Family Band. While the group does not have a show of that nature on the calendar, they will perform alongside Ross James and special guests Peter Rowan and Eric Krasno on Aug. 9 at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, and the next night, at the exact location, only this time, Rowan’s spot will be filled by Ivan Neville. Tickets remain on sale. 

Watch episode six of the Phil Lesh-led Terrapin Clubhouse series below.