Philzone.org - Philzone Phansite Community Discussion Board: Setlists and Reviews: Non GD Related Reviews: Archive: Ratdog Redrocks

Awesome show last night! I've already heard a good chunk of the songs from earlier in the tour, and redrocks brought out some VERY solid versions, more so than what I've heard. I don't remember Bobby forgetting any lyrics, except for a minor fumble during Money for Gasoline..and Kimock absolutely SMOKED. I don't know if I've seen Bobby wave his fingers around (meaning: keep the jam going one more measure) that many times during a show, but Kimock's solos were so nice that there were MANY extended jams. Lots more Kenny than I was expecting too. I went to the RatdogLive booth during setbreak, already jonesin' to get this show after the first set, and they had already sold out. Bummer, but I wasn't too surprised either, lol.

Highlights for me were the 15 minute long loopy Dark Star, with such great, trippy interaction between Keller and Bobby on acoustic. Shakedown opener was great, although it took about half the song before Jay really started rolling. Minglewood Blues had an added verse about a woman in San Francisco..don't know how new that is, but since I had just gotten back from the SCI shows at the Greek, and came directly from the airport to the show, it was great to hear. Lots of people obviously hadn't heard Money for Gasoline, but by the end of the song and kimock's solo, most of my friends were dancing hard.

I'm not a huge fan of Bobby's take on Loser and BEW, but I really enjoyed having those songs shared by Keller. When Bobby has a nice vocal counterpoint (ala Hornsby or Joan Osborne) I really like some of those Jerry songs that are otherwise a tad mediocre for me. These versions were pretty smoking, very well executed. But the biggest highlight was the INSANE WRS>Let it Grow. Kimock played slide during WRS, which is the first time I've heard the song in its original, psychedelic form. Don't know how to describe it, but it just had that beautiful, Jerry feel to it...then Let it Grow went straight to the sky. Kimock had a killer section, which was abruptly cut short, but then it went into another slinky, trippy jam with Kimock and Kenny chasing each other with Bobby doing the super trippy effect...then back through the usual let it grow exercises and peaks. A must hear for any Ratdog fan!

Second set took a while to build steam...Victim was really cool and dark, with some beautiful work by Kimock...kind of lighted up the song a little. Half Step was a very solid version, at least Ratdog style, and with a beautiful crescendo that went straight in to the highlight of the show for me, the Other One. Kimock started by using the effect he used with the Rhythm Devils, very high treble and trippy. This got very swirly, and some great lyrical work by Bobby (again, no flubs during this set!). After the first verse Kimock locked in to a cool envelope filter effect and things just transformed. Some crazy effects by Kenny too... just gotta hear this one, as it was an amazing treat to both hear and watch. Stuff was awesome too! Jay seems to be locking in to a little of Mickey's spirit, with some great sample stuff on drums that just sounded surreal, and then it went in to this full throttle intersteller fusion John McLaughlin style jam where Kimock just went insane again. Very surreal jamming, with Jay playing some familiar commercial theme while the rest of the band tripped it out.

SOTM was beautiful, with Bobby pointing all over at the stars and moon as he went through ther verses. Great to watch the video screen, as Bobby was showing a lot of emotion singing this song. A treat to watch his youngest daughter dancing in circles to the swirly lights behind the band too. Awesome Sugar Mag, and the At a Siding>Terrapin Flyer was just a perfect ending to a beautiful evening. I will have to say that if you haven't heard any shows this tour, or are feeling like downloading a sbd, this is definitely worth getting, and cranking up loud! I briefly saw crossed paths with Kimock backstage after the show, and he seemed like he was completely blissed out.

Also wanted to thank Keller for attracting all of the beautiful young women, who made the show an extra treat, lol. Great to have such young energy for a bunch of old doggies. Also kind of funny dancing behind DSO Bobby while real Bobby was on stage!

Great review! The magic of the rocks!! I caught the Dog there last summer with SCI. Good times.

fake bobby was there?

great review, thanks.

It's up on cotapers.org

Was indeed a fun show!

This weekend at his house, John Olson played a recording of the beginning of the second set...Uncle and Victim; and to be frank, both those songs sounded slow, lifeless and dreadful! The rhythm section sounded pathetic, with no swing nor drive whatsoever.

I'm downloading the show as I type, but I hope I heard the worst of that show...