Last night, Tuesday, Dec. 12, Bobby Weir arrived at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, N.Y., for night one of five at the storied location. Throughout the concert, the Grateful Dead guitarist swapped out configurations on stage, offering renditions of favored material that evoked the best of the musician’s talents as a three-piece, four-piece, five-piece, and beyond. Joining the billed band were Ron Carter and Kenny Brooks. The latter sat in as part of the Wolf Pack throughout the night.
Weir stepped out solo on the first tune of the night, delivering a stripped-down take on “Loose Lucy” before the arrival of Don Was and Jay Lane for an acoustic take on Bob Dylan’s “When I Paint My Masterpiece.” Weir went electric on “Brown Eyed Women” and expanded the configuration to a four-piece with Jeff Chimenti’s advent. The group swelled again, with Wolf Bro., taking their places and cutting into “Althea.”
Set one brought out “Playing in the Band” next, with added help from Brooks, known for his association with Weir’s RatDog project, which also featured Lane and Chimenti. With the Wolfpack’s help, the band worked through Roy Hamilton’s original work, “Don’t Let Go,” a feature of Jerry Garcia Band’s self-titled album, and continued with “Mexicali Blues.” For the set’s final songs, Weir brought up the famed jazz cat, Carter, who added to “She Knows What I’m Thinking,” a newer addition to Weir’s archive.
Notable, Carter appeared during Weir’s 50th-anniversary celebration of his debut solo record, Ace, during Radio City Music Hall celebrations in April 2022. To close out the night’s first half, Carter helped his hosts with one final number, a soaring rendition of fan favorite, “Bird Song.” After the set break, Weir returned for an acoustic take on his original, “Only a River,” delivered as a five-piece with select members of the Wolf Pack.
The added help remained on stage, helping Weir warp Dylan’s “Silvio” with The Champs’ “Tequila” and inevitably looping back to “Silvio” for a jammed-out display of musical excellence. Weir and company continued by picking up an emotive “He’s Gone” before adding The Beatles’ Revolver cut, “Tomorrow Never Knows,” which ran over into “Standing on the Moon.”
For the final song of the secondary frame, the band delivered the Chuck Berry classic, “Around and Around,” which felt like an ode to the venue and audience. For their encore, the ensemble returned for one final song, closing night one on “Black Muddy River.” After last night’s show, Weir and his band will return for the second of five nights at The Capitol Theatre this evening, Dec. 13. Tickets remain on sale and can be purchased here.
Photographer Marc Millman attended the event and shared his photos, see below.
Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros
The Capitol Theatre – Port Chester, N.Y.
December 12, 2023
Set I: Loose Lucy, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Brown-Eyed Women, Althea, Playing in the Band, Don’t Let Go, Mexicali Blues, She Knows What I’m Thinkin’+, Bird Song+
Set II: Only a River, Silvio > Tequila > Silvio, Estimated Prophet > He’s Gone > Tomorrow Never Knows (The Beatles) > Standing on the Moon, Around and Around
Enc.: Black Muddy River
Notes:
Kenny Brooks with Wolf Bros
+ With Ron Carter