Bushwick’s Dead Celebrates Bob Weir’s Legacy With Robert Randolph, Karina Rykman, More At Brooklyn Bowl

Grateful Dead tribute project Bushwick’s Dead hosted a guest-filled concert honoring GD guitarist/vocalist Bob Weir last night. Robert Randolph Karina Rykman, Matisyahu, Stuart Bogie and Jordan McLean were among Bushwick’s Dead’s special guests at the original Brooklyn Bowl in New York City.

Bushwick’s Dead is a Brooklyn-based jam collective with a rotating cast of musicians put together by bassist Sarah Elaz. The core ensemble for the Monday night concert saw Elaz joined by moe. drummer Vinnie Amico, keyboardist Ross Bogan, guitarists James Calleo (Strangers Stopping Strangers), Jeff Greenspan (Strangers Stopping Strangers) and Quinn Tuff (Memo), percussionist Dave DeRiso and vocalist Michael Butler (Bearly Dead).

“Sugar Magnolia” kicked off the concert honoring the late Bobby Weir and Bushwick’s Dead would fill the setlist with many of Ace’s other classic compositions. Calleo channeled Weir on the ensuing “Black-Throated Wind” before Greenspan stepped up to sing “Me And My Uncle.” Bushwick’s Dead moved forward with a sizzling run of “Feel Like A Stranger,” “Promised Land” and “Not Fade Away.”

Karina Rykman emerged during the “Not Fade Away” jam and stayed out for the subsequent “I Need A Miracle.” The hosts wrapped the set with an adventurous “Playing In The Band” that featured Merle Haggard’s “Mama Tried” within.

Longtime Bob Weir tour manager Matt Busch came out before the second set to speak about his relationship with the guitarist. There wasn’t a dry eye in sight as Busch remembered his friend’s wish that the music of the Grateful Dead live on for 300 years or more.

Bushwick’s Dead struck up “Jack Straw” to launch the second set. Matisyahu took over lead vocal duties for a raucous “Estimated Prophet” before the core band tore through “Cassidy.” Elaz went on to welcome Robert Randolph to the stage to add lap steel magic to the biblical tale “Samson and Delilah.” Next, “Big River” flowed and “Let It Grow” raged into “Saint Of Circumstance” and back again. The band then paired beloved Weir favorites “Truckin'” and “The Other One” with a long, tasty jam featuring hints of the latter.

Vocalist Honey Marmalade helped Bushwick’s Dead end the closing stanza with a fierce “The Music Never Stopped.” Frequent Weir collaborator DJ Logic addressed the crowd before the encore, as did Brooklyn Bowl owner and Bobby pal Peter Shapiro, who feted his old friend with a rose-throwing ceremony.

Bushwick’s Dead returned for a jubilant “One More Saturday Night.” Saxophonist Stuart Bogie and trumpeter Jordan McLean then helped the hosts say farewell with a horn-driven “China Cat Sunflower”/”I Know You Rider” combo.

Watch Bushwick’s Dead guest-filled tribute concert at Brooklyn Bowl below via nugs:

Photos by Jeremy Gordon

Setlist

Set One: Sugar Magnolia, Black Throated Wind, Me And My Uncle, Feel Like A Stranger, Promised Land, Not Face Away > I Need A Miracle&, Playing In The Band > Mama Tried > Playing In The Band

Set Two: Jack Straw, Estimated Prophet&&, Cassidy, Samson And Delilah^, Big River, Let It Grow > Saint Of Circumstance > Let It Grow, Truckin’ > The Other One, The Music Never Stopped^^

Encore: One More Saturday Night, China Cat Sunflower% > I Know You Rider%

• & – with Karina Rykman on bass
• && – with Matisyahu on lead vocals
• ^ – with Robert Randolph on lap steel
• ^^ – with Honey Marmalade on lead vocals
• % – with Stuart Bogie on saxophone and Jordan McLean on trumpet

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