I never understood the notion of the critic.  Who takes the time and effort to write about something they don't like?  I have always tried to use the written word to elevate, not dissect or discredit.  So it's with some trepidation that I set out to discuss RatDog's two night stand at (to borrow from the great Neil Peart) the "obnoxious local bank" theater (near Westbury Music Fair) on October 31st and November 1st in Westbury, NY.

It's a wet and cold Friday Night in Denver Colorado. Outside the sleet it turning to snow and inside Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom the stage is melting into the eclectic sounds and sights of Banyan. The west coast based Banyan was created by Stephen Perkins, the long-time drummer of Jane's Addiction.

Almost an afterthought to a long weekend in 2000, Particle was born on a boat cruise in the San Francisco Bay to commemorate what ended up being Phish's first hiatus.  The then-unnamed Particle ended up surprising everyone on the boat cruise with their fresh sound and original compositions. 

You may have heard already, or maybe you sensed it someplace inside your bones. Tom Waits is touring. This rare treat began down south on August 1st and gallops toward the Midwest while I write this. The tour, with only eight performances, is promoting Waits' yet-to-be-released three-disc set called, Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards.

It's hot out tonight. The temp in Denver is over 100 degrees. The weather man will tell you it has something to do with the Heat Index, I say it's because The Raconteurs are playing the Fillmore tonight and they brought the scorching heat with them.

Another decade another night at Red Rocks for Bob Weir.  Joined by RatDog for the current lineup's first appearance and co-headlining with Colorado native sons String Cheese Incident, Bobby celebrated his

"One of my favorite quotes by Igor Stravinsky, is 'My music is best understood by children and animals,'" says Joel Cummins, the keyboard player for Umphrey's McGee." I thought that was kind of cool because on some level he's kind of saying, 'Don't think about it too hard. Just try to experience it.'

Phil Lesh and Friends plus Trey & Mike played the Tweeter Center in Mansfield, MA last night.  Here are some photos from the show.

Thanks to the powers that be for the photo pass to last night's show.

Pictures from the Tweeter Center in Mansfield.

hope you enjoy!

Grateful Web

Grateful Web will have a review up shortly of Ratdog & String Cheese Incident's Saturday night Red Rocks show.  In the mean time, here's a few photos from the