Phil Lesh revisits famous Grateful Dead jam songs in episode 5 of “Darkstarathon,” starting with 1971’s “Beautiful Jam” (watch)

Phil Lesh & Friends are back with a new episode of Dark Starathon—the jam “Dark Star”, which pauses but never ends—and this time the jam revolves around the famous “Beautiful Jam”, played by Gratefully dead at The Capitol Theatre on February 18, 1971.

The episode begins with Lesh, his son Graham, Stu Allen, Holly BowlingAnd Alex Koford everyone sits around a table and discusses their plans for the meeting.

“I’ve been researching some of these old classic jams,” says Phil, “and there are dozens of these jams that have been named by the fans. There’s the ‘Mind Left Body Jam,’ there’s the ‘Spanish Jam,’ which speaks for itself, and then there’s one called the ‘Beautiful Jam,’ which I listened to last night.”

The jams Lesh refers to represent standout moments from the Grateful Dead’s live repertoire that fans have recognized as emblematic of the band’s improvisational prowess. The so-called “Beautiful Jam” took place during an early East Coast tour that has since achieved legendary status, and aptly appeared at the end of Dark Star’s first set.

Lesh continues: “You can tell it’s from 1971 because there’s no keyboard,” and explains that the keyboardist and later founder Ron “Pigpen” McKernan was sick, but before Keith Godchaux joined the band.

Picking up where it left off with the never-ending “Dark Star,” Lesh and his younger bandmates continue the jam for over 40 minutes, improvising on the foundation of “Beautiful Jam” and detouring into “West LA Fadeaway.” Watch the full episode below.

Lesh prepares for the headline Terrapin Crossing‘ Sunday daydream Festivals in July and August. Click here for more information and visit the festival website for tickets.

The Clubhouse Session: Darkstarathon – Episode 5