Photo: Jay Strausser

Last night, the All-Star Daze Between Band brought select songs to Tipitina’s. The New Orleans venue was treated to a guest-heavy performance that centered around a core group of musicians, including Eric Krasno, George Porter Jr., Ivan Neville, Tony Hall, Skerik, Jennifer Hartswick, Nicki Bluhm, Alex Wasily, and Raymond Weber, and an impeccable arrival of guests, including Mike Gordon, Dave Matthews, Duane Betts, G. Love, Jeff Coffin, and Neal Francis. 

The night served as a celebration of New Orleans’ greats through the conjuring of associated material, from the concert’s entrance via the great Earl King’s “Street Parade” to the night’s final notes of Allen Toussaint’s “Yes We Can Can.” The billed players used their initial stage time to flex The Allman Brothers Band composition, “Dreams,” before taking the fantasy to Fleetwood Mac territory, on their song by the same name. 

After covering The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s “Fire,” which took the concert’s fifth song slot, the unannounced participant, Matthews, took the stage and unleashed on Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer.” Notably, Matthews and his namesake ensemble are no strangers to the cover, having performed it in concert over 150 times since its initial inclusion on the band’s 2008 MSG setlist. 

Matthews’ bandmate, Coffin, turned up for an ensuing take on Daniel Lanois’ “The Maker,” a long-associated jam favorite covered by JBG, Phish, and DMB over the years. The saxophonist stayed on stage for the group’s take on Aretha Franklin’s “Rock Steady,” before leaving the billed majority on Jimmy Cliff’s classic, and another feature of JGB’s live show and discography on “Sitting in Limbo.” 

During the late-night gig, Andy Frasco turned up and added to Johnnie Taylor’s “Who’s Making Love,” with an extra shake of talent from G. Love and Coffin. A pinnacle of the concert was Mike Gordon’s unbilled arrival, along with George Porter Jr., and subsequent assistance on Lee Dorsey’s “Sneakin’ Sally Thru the Alley.” 

More surprise guests arrived, including Neal Francis, who, along with Betts and Coffin, worked through Toussaint’s “Get Out My Life Woman.” Eventually, a trio of Meters songs cascaded into the concert’s finale, which took shape as one last ode to Toussaint. 

Watch fan-captured clips below.