Robert “Bobby” Weir, famously known as a founding member of The Grateful Dead, celebrated the 50th anniversary of his first studio album ‘Ace’ in a pair of back to back shows at New York City’s one and only Radio Music Hall on April 2nd and 3rd. Unbeknownst to many, Bob would be celebrating the evening with a couple of of the most captivating artists in modern music.
Respect must be given where respect is due. Bobby started the show with an absolutely beautiful rendition of a new song titled “She Knows What I’m Thinking.” Crazy for a guy at 74, who has played guitar in probably over 5,000 live shows, is still performing new tunes. He finished set one with a bone tickling version of “Jack Straw,” which led to the much anticipated play through of the entire Ace album, 50 years after it dropped.
To the appeal of anyone with an ear for country music, Bob welcomed West Virginia’s one and only Tyler Childers on stage. Known for the hit song “Feathered Indians,” Bob allowed Tyler to take lead on the vocals of the albums first song, “Greatest Story Ever Told.” I would recommend reading the lyrics to that song if one ever has time, it is psychedelically poetic.
Tyler also hung around to later sing Merle Haggard’s “Mama Tried,” an all-time staple of Weir shows. You cannot go wrong with either Tyler or the Dead, but putting the two together is something special for diverse sets of music fans.
After ripping the entire Ace album in fantastic fashion, many thought the show would conclude. How could you follow this up? Well, only with a whole set that featured Dead classics including “Terrapin Station” and “Samson and Delilah.” The night was highlighted by an all-star guest performance by John Mayer on “Sugar Magnolia,” “Scarlet Begonias,” “The Other One,” and “Morning Dew.” Mayer is turning into a legend in the dead-o-sphere, especially amongst younger fans.
That hall was a music lovers haven for four hours on Sunday night. Not all will understand, but that’s is okay.
Long Live the Dead.
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