Bob Weir’s ‘Blue Mountain’ Deluxe Edition Unearths Unreleased Studio & Live Recordings

Previously unreleased recordings from Bob Weir's Blue Mountain sessions and performances from his supporting Campfire Tour will surface on a new deluxe edition celebrating the album’s 10th anniversary. Blue Mountain: 10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition arrives digitally on November 20 via Rhino/WMG.

The collection was previewed today with Weir’s take on Bob Dylan's “Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again,” recorded at the Saenger Theatre in Mobile, Alabama on April 19, 2017. The previously unreleased live track offers the first taste of the expanded edition.

Originally released 10 years ago today, on September 30, 2016, Blue Mountain drew inspiration from cowboy songs Weir encountered as a teenager working on a Wyoming ranch. The album marked his first collection of entirely original material in more than 30 years and his first solo studio album since 1978’s Heaven Help The Fool.

Weir co-produced Blue Mountain with Josh Kaufman of Bonny Light Horseman. The record featured songwriting collaborations with Josh Ritter and contributions from The National's Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner and Scott Devendorf. Recorded on both coasts in 2015, the album included “Only A River,” “Gonesville,” “Lay My Lily Down” and its title track.

“Having the chance to work intimately with Bobby Weir on his album Blue Mountain was a dream for me. He was so open throughout the process, and his collaborative spirit was on full display at every session and with every musician we brought into the fold,” Kaufman said. “Working on this 10 year anniversary edition has really brought me back to that feeling… Here’s to you Ace! Thanks for the adventures and the music.”

Weir launched the Campfire Tour in fall 2016, performing the new material alongside selections from throughout his career. His backing musicians included Kaufman, Steve Kimock, Jon Shaw and The National’s Bryan Devendorf and Scott Devendorf, with Aaron Dessner joining for select dates.

A separate reissue of the original Blue Mountain arrives October 16, Weir’s birthday. The album will be pressed on two 180-gram black vinyl LPs and is available to pre-order exclusively through Dead.net.

The Grateful Dead first performed “Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again” while backing Dylan on their joint July 1987 tour. Weir subsequently sang the song regularly with the Dead from 1988 through 1992 before it became a rarity during the band’s final three years. He continued performing the cover with various projects after Jerry Garcia’s death, including RatDog and Furthur. The newly released Mobile recording marks his last documented rendition, according to setlist.fm.

Stream “Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again” below: