Bob Weir & Wolf Bros continued their excursion in the Sunshine State on Saturday with a show at Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, FL featuring the Wolf Pack. The show featured the band’s debut of Jerry Garcia‘s “They Love Each Other”, which Weir last sang with David Nelson Band (featuring Mookie Siegal, Barry Sless, Pete Sears, and John Molo with Katie Skene) in 2017.
Weir and company kicked off the show with a steady “Jack Straw” that was highlighted by fully fleshed out horn arrangements courtesy of the Wolf Pack. Even without a symphony, the band’s orchestration has come a long way since the Wolf Bros Trio launched in 2018 with the addition of Jeff Chimenti on keys, Barry Sless on pedal steel, and a small strings and horn section. What started as stripped down interpretations of Dead songs highlighting Weir’s abilities as a guitarist and story teller has developed into a new and expanded vision—a veritable Grateful Dead orchestra with Weir at its helm.
The ten-piece ensemble sounded reminiscent of Steely Dan as Weir embraced his falsetto on “Bombs Away”, from his 1978 solo album Heaven Help the Fool. Weir has said that he thinks of songs critters that need to be played to stay alive. With Wolf Bros and the Wolf Pack, he has kept the Grateful Dead’s music not only alive, but growing, with each new instantiation unfolding the next chapter in a storied history.
A slow and slumpy “Crazy Fingers” received the Wolf Pack treatment next. The song stayed true to its essential form while taking on new life with the rich orchestration of overlapping horns, woodwind, guitar, and keys. “Bertha” came next, raising the energy before the band dropped into Ratdog‘s “Money for Gasoline”. The band capped the first frame with an upbeat “Mexicali Blues”, the Wolf Bros debut of Jerry Garcia’s “They Love Each Other”, and the politically cynical “Throwing Stones”.
Upon returning to the stage for set two, the band opened with “Me and Bobby McGee” by Kris Kristofferson, followed by “Scarlet Begonias” > “Viola Lee Blues” by Cannon’s Jug Stompers. Then came an extended “Eyes of the World” with Marving Gaye’s “What’s Going On” sandwiched in the middle of the tune. Weir then took time to reflect on his adventures with Cowboy Neal Cassady with “The Other One” before wrapping up the set with another meditative song, “Standing on the Moon”, and a heartwarming “Turn On Your Love Light” by Bobby “Blue” Bland.
For the encore, Weir made the predictable choice, sending the adoring audience off with “One More Saturday Night”.
Listen to full-show audio from Bob Weir & Wolf Bros with the Wolf Pack at Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale and check out a gallery of photos from photographer Josh Hitchens/Bolt of Sunshine below.
Bob Weir & Wolf Bros winter tour continues with a four-show run at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY starting on the 7th. The band recently announced a five-night residency with just the original trio. For a full list of tour dates and ticketing details, visit Bob Weir’s website.
Setlist: Bob Weir & Wolf Bros ft. The Wolf Pack | Broward Center for the Performing Arts | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 2/4/23
Set 1: Jack Straw > Bombs Away, Crazy Fingers > Bertha, Money for Gasoline (Ratdog), Mexicali Blues, They Love Each Other (Jerry Garcia) > Throwing Stones
Set 2: Me and Bobby McGee (Kris Kristofferson), Scarlet Begonias > Viola Lee Blues (Cannon’s Jug Stompers) > Eyes of the World > What’s Going On (Marvin Gaye) > Eyes of the World, The Other One, Standing on the Moon > Turn On Your Love Light (Bobby “Blue” Bland)
Encore: One More Saturday Night
