George Porter Jr. -bass and vocals.
Michael Lemmler -keyboards.
Chris Adkins - guitar.
Terrance Houston -drums.
R.I.P. Phil Lesh.
There have been memorable nights in the 31 years of Proud Larry's, like when Alejandro Escovedo came off the stage and sat on the floor to play and sing as fans sat around him (1994), Tyler Keith provided background vocals in the foreground for Bob Weir (2001), Elvis Costello and his band played two nights in 2004 like it was 1977 or any of the nights in the 1990s that R.L. Burnside and Junior Kimbrough made the small, corner stage in the small, corner Oxford, Mississippi, music venue and restaurant the center of the musical universe.
One of those nights happened this weekend. The great George Porter, Jr., brought his band, the Runnin' Pardners, up from New Orleans to play Proud Larry's, as he has many times. Friday night, he paid tribute to his fellow musician, Phil Lesh. He spoke movingly and lovingly about the Grateful Dead bassist before leading his band through a tremendous "Eyes Of The World." The audience responded with love and enthusiasm and one could hear the name: "Phil!"
This version starts with a gospel opening before the band shifts into full "Eyes Of The World" mode. The moment for me happens at 7:55 when Mr. Porter responded to the joy in the room by holding back his band and letting their audience take over, joining him in singing. It was an absolutely wonderful Proud Larry's moment that brought tears to my eyes and has since. It appeared to bring much joy to Mr. Porter, as he responded with a bass solo like only he can.
This video also includes the songs that followed, including a sublime Terrance Houston drum solo.
George Porter Jr.:
https://www.georgeporterjr.com
This video ends abruptly while Mr. Porter talks, 18 seconds after the evening's last song ended because that is when my iPhone ran out of electricity.
Proud Larrys sound guy: Blake Gardner.
Proud Larry's stage engineer and lights guy: David McLaughlin (street name: D-MAC).
"Eyes Of The World" -Grateful Dead:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqK9KCKqacs
Proud Larrys:
https://proudlarrys.com