Like a old soul reborn, Bob Weir brought his rhythm and rhyme to the Pearl at the Palms in Las Vegas last Friday night. Opening the show was Jonathan Wilson, who brought some familiar Dead tunes and was a nice filler. The show got into hyper drive when Weir suddenly appeared mid-set for Wilson’s set taking the stage 30 minutes earlier than planned. And Bobby’s setlist encompassed songs from the usual Grateful Dead catalog, Weir originals and a few surprise covers (see setlist below).

Starting it all came “The Music Never Stopped,” ending with “Sugar Magnolia/Sunshine Daydream.” It was one of the best Weir solo shows I have ever seen. The first set was nicely scattered with a cover of “Blackbird” and “Easy to Slip,” Bobby’s solo tune. Second set was all Jonathan and Bobby together with a nice rendition of “Mission in the Rain” taking turns between verses. Bobby was in classic form and reached back into relics for a little “Red Rooster,” too (nice touch). “Ramble on Rose” featured Wilson on vocals. Second set killer was “Bird Song” with a two-minute “So What” intro (John Coltrane/Miles Davis classic) before ripping into a 17 minute “Bird Song.” Nice job, Bobby…visit us a little more often in Las Vegas! For a great audience recording check out this show on The Archive (recorded by HClayton).

Bob Weir w/ Jonathan Wilson @ The Pearl Theatre Las Vegas NV 3/1/13

Set 1 Bob Solo:
Music Never Stopped >
Standing on Shaky Ground >
Music Never Stopped
Loose Lucy
Black Bird
Easy to Slip
Good Mornin’ Little Schoolgirl
Masterpiece
Ashes & Glass
Looks Like Rain
Sugar Magnolia >
Sunshine Daydream
Set 2
Playin’ in the Band
Mission in the Rain (JW and BW on vocals)
Little Red Rooster
Ramble on Rose (JW and BW on Vocals)
Bird Song (So What Intro) >
Not Fade Away
E: Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door