Bob Weir Fronts Jam Band All-Stars At Private Bay Area Benefit Show

Last night a slew of familiar faces in the jam scene led by Bob Weir came together in Mill Valley, California for a private backyard benefit show for Heroes Rock, an organization that aims to help our nation’s veterans.

The night began with an ambling introduction by former Grateful Dead roadie Steve Parish, before Bob Weir played a pair of songs solo acoustic. First up was a take on Robert Johnson’s “Walkin’ Blues,” a tune that’s been a longtime staple in his repertoire, followed by “Blue Mountain,” the title-track from his most recent solo album.

Next up Weir was joined by guitarist extraordinaire Steve Kimock for a take on Little Feat’s “Easy To Slip.” As the set unfolded more and more musicians emerged with drummer John Morgan Kimock and Weir’s Dead & Company band mate Oteil Burbridge expanding the group for “Only A River.” The former Grateful Dead rhythm guitar player next acknowledged that it was Parish’s birthday and led everyone in the singing of “Happy Birthday” to his old pal.

Vocalists Leslie Mendelson and Nicki Bluhm were next up to join Weir, with the trio offering a take on “Friend Of The Devil.” From there the ad-hoc act played “Deep Elem Blues,” followed by Weir and Mendelson dueting on “Blue Bayou.” The backyard all-star jam band next worked their way through a tender, jammed out take on “Bird Song.” The hour-long show closed out with a beautiful campfire version of “Ripple” with Weir and Kimock beginning the tune, and Bluhm and Mendelson joining in on harmonies for the last few verses.

Watch the full show here:

Video (Captured by Deadheadland Films)

Setlist

Heroes Rock Benefit House Concert – Mill Valley, CA

With Bob Weir, Steve Kimock, Eric Krasno, Leslie Mendelson, Nicki Bluhm, John Morgan Kimock, and Oteil Burbridge.

Set: Walkin’ Blues (Bob Weir solo), Blue Mountain (BW solo), Easy to Slip (with Steve Kimock), Only A River (with SK, Oteil Burbridge & John Morgan Kimock), Happy Birthday (sung to Steve Parish), Friend of the Devil (w. SK, Leslie Mendelson & Nicki Bluhm), Deep Elem Blues (w. SK, OB, JMK, LM & NB), Blue Bayou (w. SK, OB, JMK & LM), Bird Song (w. SK, OB, JMK, LM & NB), Ripple (w. SK, LM & NB)

[Hat Tip – Deadheadland]