Review — Reflections on the Band (2002)
Wow, what a fun road Ratdog has provided for myself and friends since 1995. Being a huge supporter of the Grateful Dead, I think we all felt a great loss when the band's instrumental career came to an end. As we raised our heads towards the future, we found the creation of a new way of life in Ratdog. Over the years we have made trips to the Hammerstein Ballroom, New Jersey, Connecticut, Philadelphia, DC, and most recently in my hometown of Norfolk, VA. I have to say we have been truly blessed to see the birth and growth of this outstanding band. My life has been changing so much in the past five years, and with the power of Ratdog and the community I have been able to keep my head above water with a big grin. I cannot remember the last time I was so excited to get an album and "Evening Moods" was well worth the wait. I really believe that Ratdog has found its niche on the road as they continue to get better every show. I must also admit that experiencing the magic of the Washington D.C. show on 9/28/01 was beyond words. I have never felt so connected and confident about the decesions in my life as Ratdog reaffirmed this in a most patriotic manner. For this I say, "Thank you." I am sure I could go on and on about my expereince with Ratdog but I did want to mention one last thing. I feel that you guys have a real connection with the east coast and we love the attention you give to us. The only thing that I wish could happen would be to one time give a thought to bringing a New Year's Show to the East Coast. I understand that most of you reside on the West Coast, but life is an adventure and I have no doubt that bringing this type of experince to the East Coast would be met with electricity of musical appreciation and a party never to forget. Just a thought. Well it is time for me to sign off, thanks again for being such an influential aspect on mine and many others lives. You truly have the power to change people and I think that you do this in a captivating way. Always remember TheNorva in Norfolk Virginia cannot get enough of that rock n' roll spirit. Peace in the Middle East,
Kevin McCarthy, Norfolk, Virginia
I started seeing the Dead live in 1989. I saw them 65 times in those last 6 years, and contrary to what many may think, I saw some pretty damn good shows in those last years. From the end of 89 until 92 were some great shows - any of the ones I saw with Brent, and many of the early Hornsby stuff. Jerry just seemed to really like playing with those guys. Anyway, I was such a blatant Jerry fan that I often found myself getting a beer, going to the restroom or guessing what song Jerry would do next while Bobby was screaming away at some Victim or the Crime, or Picasso Moon, or Hell in a Bucket. It just wasn't my cup of tea - either that, or I just didn't get it. However, as the days dragged on for Jerry in the mid-90's, I began to watch a man get better and better at his craft, almost solely it seemed, for the sake of someone else. What I'm saying is that Bob seemed so dedicated to making a good show, and to making his buddy Jerry look good, that whenever Jerry was having a bad day, Bobby was there to save it.
I started seeing Bob and Rob shows in the early 90's, and by the mid 90's, I was beginning to really like the Bobby way of song. Throwing Stones, Looks Like Rain and the always coveted Lost Sailor became some of my favorite tunes during that period. When Jerry died, I, like many, was floored. I thought I'd never feel again the way I did at those special shows. I was only partly correct.
Early Ratdog didn't really get it for me. It kinda felt like they were trying to do something they weren't really capable of yet. They had the song list, but they didn't seem to be able to expand jam wise. I guess the potential must've been there, I just didn't hear it. Even still, I was fully content to just see Bobby doing anything at all, let alone play. All the while, I began to appreciate the band more and more, and even further, I began to appreciate what Bobby was doing. He could've gone out and gotten the very best virtuoso players to join his band, but he didn't. He found some damn good players with some really cool ideas, and he made a band out of it.
Over the years, the whole band has gotten better. Mark Karan has become a very exceptional guitar player who can turn it on like nobody's business when he feels it (See 4/13/01 Kalamazoo for proof). The whole band has really begun to gel, and the result is something far better than a Dead cover band. This is a band of its own that speaks an incredibly similar language to that which the Dead spoke, but they do it their own way, and that's the key for me. I sat through a few sleepers when Jerry was here, and I'll gladly do a few more for the cause. It doesn't hurt to know that every few shows I see, at least one hits a new level for the band. They haven't disappointed me yet, and I don't think they will.
Anthony Gentile, Bridgewater, Michigan
Alright. First of all, I just wanna say that I've always been a huge fan of you guys since the first time I saw you all in 97. This year was a complete surprise; I've never been blown away by anything like RatDog in 2001. I just wanna say a couple things. First of all, when I first saw in 00 that Dave Ellis was gone, I was pretty upset thinking "what the hell is Bobby thinking gettin rid of Dave Ellis," and then I was very impressed with Kenny at Hookahville that year. Then blam, fall of 00 was unbelievable. Blew me the fuck away and the exact same goes for Jeff. And for Mark, you're the man. I know not very many people put you in a class with some of the great playing right now (i.e. Kimock, Herring, Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks), but I think you blow all them away cause you play with one thing that they don't. You play with your soul. It's just not notes you're playing; you're playing from your heart and soul and that is beautiful. That's the thing Papa Jerry had over people. He didn't consciously rock out, he let his heart and soul play for him and then it just flows. As for Bobby, it's your world and we just live in it man. You're truly one of akind. in my relatively short time as a head (since 95), I've never seen you have such a good time on stage. You're smiling and laughing, acting like you're gonna body surf and shit. One thing I would like to suggest from you. Bust out some way way old tunes with the Dog that you have been busting out with everybody else (Dark Hollow, BIODTL, Midnight Hour). Thanx for such a wonderful year of shows and for all the love you guys give us. I for one am very grateful that you all stick togetha and make the beautiful music that you do. Jah bless my friends : ) 1 luv,
Watson, Peoria, Illinois
Well let's start at the begining: I've seen Ratdog grow and evolve into my opinion the best jam band on the scene these days! In the beginning Matt Kelly and Mookie were fun but I looked at Ratdog back then as more a a cover band, real bluesy stuff (which is not bad; I liked that as well). But then along came Jeff and Jay, then Mark, and Dave Ellis and Magic started to happen. Bobby started to seem a little more spirited in his play, the writing of new songs, Bob getting married, a kid, the whole shot. This Band, even more so w/ Kenny on the scene, is the way it should be. All Night should be evenings with The DOG!
Scott Miller, Chicago, Illinois
Ratdog is the sh*t. I have long loved the Grateful Dead, and forever will I love them. Ratdog is very similar yet extremely different, in so many different aspects! Everyone should know the similarities (i.e. Bob, songs, and jamming), but the differences is what makes this band amazing. First it was Dave Ellis, now Kenny Brooks, these guys put a completly different twist on everything, especially Kenny. He melts into the music so sweetly and then stands out, more BOLDLY then any text could on paper. Then you got Jeff, now i was--am--a HUGE Brent fan in the Dead era, and i connot even begin to say one is better then the other, but what they add to these bands, respectively, is all the same, out of this world keyboarding! Jay on drums is down and dirty, and he is always so happy with that big grin, he always makes me smile! Mark, in no way comparable to papa bear, but alot of things he learned from the man, has evolved him into something unimaginable in '98 when he first stepped on the stage with TOO. He is also very friendly, Hi Mark!!! Now we get the to core. Rob, no word in the Webster's Dictionary can explain this man. He is unreal, every song, even bass jam, acoustic, electric, you name it and he stands out, always seems in the right place at the right time with the right BOOM to fill the spot. He helped hold this band together through all the personnel changes for the past 6 years. BOB WEIR, this man is amazing 6 years after the inevitable end of the Grateful Dead and look at him go. Bobby the rock star, seems to have been through it all, and he keeps on ticking, like a Timex. He has this band heading in the right direction, the music is where it needs to be, and he now has a family. He is holding the Royal Flush now and loving it!!! Hope it's a while before he decides to lay it down and walk away from the table, a winner in all aspects of the game! WE LOVE YOU BOB! THANK-YOU!
Jon, Rome, New York