Posted with permission, natch:
David,
I just wanted to drop a note to thank you for selecting the Ratdog 7/17/07 Columbus OH show on the GD hour replayed on Sirius satellite radio on 1/13/08. Keep up the great work! I have enjoyed the GD hour since the late ’80s and always reflect back on those fun times when I catch the show.
I have a particular sentiment that I would be grateful if you could pass on to Bob Weir directly. Specifically, I get a great big kick out of the fact that he sings (and clearly enjoys) Jerry songs as part of his Ratdog sets. On the 7/17/07 show I was thrilled and filled with spirits past and present when Bob ran through the likes of ‘Might as Well’, ‘Jack-a-Roe’, ‘You Win Again’, “Liberty”, and “He’s Gone”- all great tunes in their own right, but especially wondrous because they were sung by Jerry in days gone by and now brought back to another level by Bobby with Ratdog. I just smiled and thought of happy space and the joy of life through the musical journey and felt compelled to share my feelings (I have never communicated with a band in my life). I looked through some of my Ratdog sets ranging from 1997-2005 and never noticed so many Jerry songs in a row, so I felt even happier about this really heartwarming and loving tribute. The arrangement of these tunes by Weir makes an interesting comparison to other tunes that are covered by surviving band members when the singer of note passes on. The one that comes to my mind is The Band, where the late, great Rick Danko would sing ‘Shape I’m in’ once Richard Manuel crossed the great divide. His version was always sad to me and sounded a lot like Richard, whereas the Weir renderings were the opposite- just joyful versions that were distinctly Weir in nature, maybe with a wink and a tip of the pick to the old bearded guy.
Thanks for your endless time and effort in music on my behalf and enjoyment.
STEVE GINSBERG
PS Believe it or not, my very first concert was actually Bobby & the Midnites in Rochester, New York, February 1982. I was 15 and went with 2 other 15- year old friends and sat in Row XX of a Row ZZ theater. Wow, I received an adult dose of a concert, equipped with my first contact high and an all around life brightening experience. The opening band was Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, who had just released their single hit, ‘I Love Rock-n-Roll’, which did not fit in with the headlining act at all, but was sure a trip to see. Bob, Alphonso Johnson, and Billy Cobham really stood out, and ‘Little Red Rooster’ and Satisfaction’ were highlights. Just a little tidbit from the vaults of my mind that is as much fun to think about as it is to pass on to you guys.