After many years of anticipation, Bob Weir has finally announced the release of his first solo album in over 10 years. The album with “cowboy songs” is called Blue Mountain, and is due out on September 30th, according to Weir’s website. Not only that, but he’ll be supporting the new album with a tour, performing dates on both sides of the country from October 7th through the 19th.
Weir has been talking about the new album for years, and it features a lively cast of musicians. Josh Ritter, Josh Kaufman, Scott Devendorf, Aaron Dessner and Bryce Dessner are all known to have contributed to the new release, and Weir has mentioned bringing in lyricist John Perry Barlow to help with some of the album’s storytelling aspects. The concept should focus primarily on “cowboy” music, according to past interviews. You can pre-order the album here.
According to Rolling Stone, the full list of contributing musicians includes: Ray Rizzo (drums, harmonium, harmonica, backup vocals), Joe Russo (drums), Jon Shaw (upright bass, piano), Rob Burger (keyboard, accordion, tuned percussion), Sam Cohen (electric guitar and pedal steel), Nate Martinez (guitars, harmonium, backup vocals), Jay Lane (drums, vocals), Robin Sylvester (upright bass, vocals, hammond organ) and Steve Kimock (lapsteel). The Bandana Splits – comprising Annie Nero, Lauren Balthrop and Dawn Landes – sing backup on the album.
The tour dates supporting the release kick off on October 7th, where Weir will perform at the Marin County Civic Center in San Rafael, CA, After three days in California, Weir will fly across the country and stop in Upper Darby, PA, Brooklyn, NY, Port Chester, NY, and Nashville, TN. He’ll end the run with one final performance at the famed Ryman Auditorium. Weir will be performing with members of The National on tour, including Aaron Dessner, Bryan Devendorf, Scott Devendorf, and Josh Kaufman!
While this means a Dead & Company fall tour is unlikely, it’s encouraging to see Weir working hard at some of his own music. You can see the full tour schedule and Blue Mountain tracklisting below!
Bob Weir Solo Tour
San Rafael, CA
Marin County Civic Center
October 7, 2016
Oakland, CA
Fox Theatre Oakland
October 8, 2016
Los Angeles, CA
The Wiltern
October 10, 2016
Upper Darby, PA
The Tower Theatre
October 12, 2016
Brooklyn, NY
The Kings Theatre
October 14-15, 2016
Port Chester, NY
The Capitol Theatre
October 16, 2016
Nashville, TN
Ryman Auditorium
October 19, 2016
Blue Mountain
1. Only A River
2. Cottonwood Lullaby
3. Gonesville
4. Lay My Lily Down
5. Gallop On The Run
6. Whatever Happened To Rose
7. What The Ghost Towns Know
8. Darkest Hour
9. Ki-Yi Bossie
10. Storm Country
11. Blue Mountain
12. One More River To Cross