Let me admit right now that I’m an old deadhead and that Bob Weir is probably my all-time favorite musician. I don’t know why I’ve always had a soft spot for Bobby, I just know that I do. I’m thrilled with the fact that not only has he survived but he has prospered and triumphed as well. He was recently married for the first time and he has a baby daughter too. He’s 52 years young and he still looks great. With Ratdog he has surrounded himself with some outstanding musicians. After what I saw at this concert I’m thinking it’s possible his best days are still ahead.

It sure was nice to get together with a bunch of deadheads again. The audience was completely jacked up for the show. It was a total lovefest. I’ve seen Bobby in New Haven before with the Dead of course at the Coliseum and also a couple of times with the Midnights at Toad’s Place. But the Palace is a damn near perfect venue. It’s very intimate and the acoustics are great. It was just a wonderful evening from start to finish.

O.K. now for the songs! "Jack Straw" was the opener followed by "Birdsong," "Easy To Slip," and "Odessa." After that the band went acoustic with "KC Moan" and "Desolation Row." This was followed with "Welcome To The World," "The Other One," and "Weather Report Suite." Yes, they played the entire "Weather Report Suite" including "Let It Grow." At this point just when it couldn’t get any hotter came "Samson And Delilah" in what was unquestionably the highlight of the evening. "Throwing Stones" and "Gloria" closed things out.

This was a thirty show tour for Ratdog which began in L.A. on October 22nd and ended in Florida at Pomano Beach on December 2nd. There will be a new CD coming out soon and most certainly a spring tour. So after all these years I’ve got the itch again in a big way. Can you believe it? Well, as the songs says, it’s an obsession but it’s pleasing. I can’t wait to see Bobby and Ratdog again. And again.