Bob Weir | Los Angeles | 10/10/16 | Review

Article Contributed by Steven Rood | Published on Thursday, October 13, 2016

Bob Weir’s latest album ‘Blue Mountain’ inspired the Campfire Tour which came to the Wiltern Theater on the 10th of October. The packed venue was entertained with Bob performing solo, three songs against projected images of the Dust Bowl era, (including 2 of his new tracks (KC Moan, Blue Mountain and a lovely Loose Lucy).  The rest of the band came on stage to support him, which included notable performers Steve Kimock from RatDog, Matt Berninger, Bryan and Scott Devendorf (all from The National), Jon Shaw and Shakey Graves. The full band joined Bobby on several newer titles from the album, 'Lay My Lily Down', 'Only a River', 'Ghost Towns' and ‘Gonesville’ with an ‘El Paso’ thrown in for good measure!

When the group returned after intermission, the mood changed from traditional cowboy songs to more trippy versions of some Grateful Dead favorites (Me & My Uncle, Jack-a-roe, and West L.A. Fadeaway (in which the audience sang their parts).  Then Bobby made an announcement, calling for “Security!” as John Mayer came on stage to join Bob and the boys for the remainder of the show. They opened up with an expected, yet mind bending Jack Straw and then a beautiful Morning Dew with Matt Berninger sharing vocals before finishing the set with an ‘I Know You Rider”.  Bob returned for the encore to perform Ki-Yi Bossie as a solo piece and finally, with the full band ended the night with Peggy-O and Ripple!