Once again, I am thoroughly impressed with this band. I can not say enough good things about this performance. First let me say a few things about the Webster Theater. It is in a ghetto, plain and simple. If one were to stroll a few blocks in any direction, a very bad element would surface--especially after the show around midnight or so. It can be very dangerous, as crack neighborhoods are on the periphery. I hope fellow heads had their fight-or-flight mechanisms in check.
On to the show... a small somewhat lackluster venue that was a bit crowded but manageable. This place was an old movie theater and has been around for 60 years. The intimate nature of the venue is what was special; it probably sold out which means 1200 people. There isn't a bad seat in the house. It was a family outing for my twin brother and my younger sister and I, which made the night extra special. Bobby came out and opened with a roaring Hell in a Bucket, which slipped into a beautiful Sailor > Saint. The highlight of the first set was the sparkling Scarlet that just poured out of Karan's guitar. He really hit some beatiful jams--they all did. Scarlet > GDTRFB was a treat. The 10AC Jed was rousing as well and got huge audience participation, and Bury Me Standing is a song I will hope to hear instead of wondering what it is. I was, again, impressed. By the second set I noticed how energized everyone was and how loud it got. The theater is all cement and arched the entire length of the roof so the sound sort of rains down on you. China Cat > Rider to close the show left everyone (and their ears) ringing. I can not say enough good things about Ratdog. Cheers! And Bobby, you play your heart out and it shows--the whole band was marvelous. You should book the Palace in New Haven or even the Shubert. The Palace is like the Warfield and the Shubert is like a mini Carnegie Hall. Good luck to you on the tour!
Sean McAuley, Madison, CT
