A Long, Strange Trip That Wasn’t Long Enough
How a Long Island Deadhead kid made a record with Bob Weir
He put the cowboy-hippie in rock ‘n’ roll
Photos of a middle-aged Jerry Garcia were propped up behind the bowl in a worn leather frame
Through a series of dreams realized, I produced, played on, and cowrote Blue Mountain — Bob Weir’s third and final solo album. The record was released in the fall of 2016 by Columbia/Legacy, and I got the chance to be the music director for the tours that followed. We were billed as Bob Weir and the Campfire Band. Quite the hoot. Feels like a hazy dream now, or perhaps just part of a long and strange trip. Bob and I became close for a time. I felt we were at the very least collaborators, and at the very most burgeoning friends? Who can say. I can tell you this: He was a great listener and an easy hang. We had an amazing and productive time working together. I mostly followed his lead, but he was never above following mine, too, which always made me feel welcome in his vast and storied circles. He was bright and wise, funny and warm, and a true follower of the muse. At a time of chops-y blues breakers, Bob latched onto the left hand of legendary jazz pianist McCoy Tyner, whose …
