Page 88 - ION Indie Magazine MarchApril 2018 Issue

Back in 2015, the remaining members of the band that is synonymous with the jam scene, The Grateful Dead,
put together the “Fare Thee Well” tour, claiming to be their last run together. Months after that tour ended,

the original band members (minus bassist Phil Lesh) decided to keep it going under a group that would be
called “Dead & Company.” Who did they seek out to fill the bass spot? Oteil Burbidge, of course! Also joining
him in the group on guitar was John Mayer. Dead & Company kept the momentum going with their first tour
commencing just months after The Grateful Dead wrapped up. Since the fall of 2015, they’ve sold-out larger
venues in fall and summer tours, with 2018 already underway with 4 sold-out shows in Mexico in February,
followed by a handful of US dates in the South.

In between these tours, Oteil doesn’t take a break, squeezing in extra chances to jam with his friends where
he can. Oteil & Friends played 9 shows in the fall and 5 more in the winter, the last one in Philly at the Theatre
of Living Arts. Joining Oteil were guitarists Eric Krasno from Soulive and John Kadlecik from Dark Star
Orchestra, as well as organ legend Melvin Seals. On drums and percussion were Jay Lane and Weedie
Braimah, both with very impressive resumes themselves. Vocals are provided by Alfreda Gerald, who has a
diverse background ranging from opera with the London and New York Philharmonic Orchestras as well as
soul and R&B collaborations.

When this collective of talent came together in Philadelphia, there was no indication that this wasn’t a
seasoned group that had been playing for some time. The set kicked off with the title track from Oteil’s solo
release “Water in the Desert.” Although he released a few albums with the group “Oteil & The Peacemakers”
in the past, this is his first studio album under his own name, released in August of 2017. It was an explosive
opening, with his soulful original song continually building with Ms. Gerald’s mesmerizing and show-stopping
vocals. The packed audience was ignited by the opening and kept pace the rest of the night. Nearly impossible
to follow, Oteil opted for the fun-loving Marvin Gaye classic “How Sweet It Is” next, which showcased the
sheer joy he gets out of playing music.