Daily Staff Writer

“Fallout from the Phil Zone”

The Grateful Dead

Since the untimely death of Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia, there has been an overwhelming demand for copies of live Dead performances.

The newest addition to the archived collection is the latest release by Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh entitled “Fallout from the Phil Zone.”

Unlike the popular series of full concerts from archivist Dick Latvala, “Fallout” is a compilation of Grateful Dead songs spanning all the way from earlier concerts in 1967 to the last days of Garcia in 1995.

This two-disc set features some of Lesh’s favorite recordings and focuses on songs sung by the late Dead keyboardist Ron “Pigpen” McKernan.

Included are such versions of the bluesy “Easy Wind,” featuring a trademark Pigpen harmonica solo, the classic Otis Redding tune “Hard to Handle” and a half-hour version of “In the Midnight Hour.”

“Fallout” falls short in just a couple places, such as the boring monotony and poor sound quality of “In the Midnight Hour” and the flat harmonies of vocalist Donna Godchaux on “Viola Lee Blues.”

The more memorable moments from “Fallout from the Phil Zone” include the surprising “Jack-A-Roe,” slowed down from its usual country-western version, and a flawless rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Visions of Johanna.”

Grateful Dead fans will also appreciate classic performances of “Dancin’ in the Street,” “Mason’s Children” and a downright funky “The Music Never Stopped.”

As Lesh says in the linear notes, “Fallout from the Phil Zone” has material that “could stand on its historical relevance” without being released with the rest of the shows.

3 1/2 stars out of five.

— Brendan Greiner