Sam Grisman Project Curate Acrostic “Bobby Weir” Setlist, Pay Homage to Late Guitarist at The Capitol Theatre
Photo: Cassidy Rose Friedman
Sam Grisman Project reached mecca this weekend. Or at least the East Coast jam mecca: The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, N.Y. On Saturday, Feb. 14, the traditionally acoustic roadshow– known for its interpretations of classics and deep cuts from David “Dawg” Grisman and Jerry Garcia’s coiled catalog, in addition to pulls from the Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, and beyond– went electric, plugging in and delivering an acrostic-constructed set that spelled out “BOBBY WEIR.”
Saturday’s performance occurred just over a month after the unexpected passing of the Grateful Dead’s rhythm guitarist and arduous cosmic cowboy, Bobby Weir. During Sam Grisman Project’s initial concert following Weir’s death on Saturday, Jan. 10, the group triumphantly debuted the Ace break-up anthem, “Looks Like Rain,” which was flawlessly and effectively sung by Max Flansburg. Read more.
The band continued their tributes to “The Other One” on Saturday during their single set delivery at The Capitol Theatre. In a post nodding to the significance of the event, they noted: “Grateful for the opportunity to play a little electric music to honor our hero, the great Bobby Weir, who graced the stage at the Cap 42 times.”
For the concert opener, the group–Sam Grisman, Max Flansburg, Victor Furtado, Joe K. Walsh, Larry Eagle, and Tod Livingston–covered Bob Dylan’s “Buckets of Rain,” a feature off their debut self-titled studio record, which dropped in December. Paying homage to Sam’s famous father, the group delivered the instrumental “Opus 38” merged with “Shady Grove,” before kicking their tributes into high gear with a haunting “Brokedown Palace.”
The John Hiatt-written, Sam Grisman Project LP featured “Bound by Love,” highlighted the Valentine’s Day theme ahead of Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks piece, “You’re a Big Girl Now.” With the submission of the latter track, the band had accomplished piecing together BOBBY. It was “Waiting for a Miracle” that initiated the construction of Bobby’s surname.
The group’s pursuit of thoughtful excellence resulted in Dawg’s “EMD,” Dylan’s “It’s All Over Now Baby Blue,” and traditional turned Doc Watson-associated “Red Rocking Chair.” Saturday’s pensive setlist choices shaped the night’s identity and honored the roots of Grisman’s own mentorship and status as a deadhead and leading practitioner of the craft.
Notably, Sam Grisman shared notes with Bobby Weir at the Sweetwater Music Hall during the venue’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2022. Watch a video here.
Following the band’s latest East Coast stint, they will take their talents West for a series of California concerts beginning on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at the Mystic Theatre in Petaluma, Calif. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.samgrismanproject.net.
Scroll down to view Sam Grisman Project’s Valentine’s Day setlist.
