At The Grateful Dead Live, every song exists in its natural habitat on the stage, in the moment, shaped by improvisation and the shared energy between musicians and audience. That philosophy is at the heart of Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros: Live in Colorado, Vol. 2, a release that captures Bob Weir’s music exactly where it thrives best: performed live, expansive, and unrepeatable.
Recorded during Weir’s first post-pandemic performances in June 2021, the album documents a pivotal moment. These Colorado shows marked not just a return to touring, but a creative evolution for Wolf Bros, expanded by the addition of The Wolfpack, a brass and string ensemble that dramatically reshaped the band’s sonic landscape. Released on October 7, 2022, the collection stands as both a celebration and a statement, showing how Grateful Dead music continues to grow decades after its creation.
The performances were captured at two legendary Colorado venues: Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison and the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheatre in Vail. Both settings bring a sense of openness and grandeur that mirrors the music itself. You can hear the air in the sound, the space between the notes, and the way the band allows each piece to unfold naturally rather than rushing toward a familiar destination.
The lineup on this recording reflects a carefully balanced ensemble. Bob Weir handles guitar and vocals with a seasoned restraint that lets the songs breathe. Don Was anchors the music on double bass, bringing warmth and depth to every passage. Jay Lane’s drumming is fluid and conversational, while Jeff Chimenti’s keyboards add texture and melodic counterpoint. Greg Leisz’s pedal steel guitar weaves in and out, lending an Americana glow that fits seamlessly alongside the Dead’s cosmic leanings. Surrounding them, The Wolfpack’s strings and brass transform these arrangements into something orchestral without sacrificing the looseness that defines live Grateful Dead–related music.
Across its seven tracks and roughly 76-minute runtime, the album leans heavily into long-form exploration. Every selection is a live performance, stretched and reshaped by the band in real time. “Mama Tried” opens the set with a nod to Merle Haggard, delivered with a relaxed confidence that sets the tone. From there, the music moves into deeper waters with “Eyes of the World,” seamlessly paired with Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” in a medley that bridges generations and genres, blending social awareness with musical optimism.
The “Terrapin Station Suite” arrives as a centerpiece, unfolding patiently and majestically, supported by the Wolfpack’s sweeping arrangements. “The Other One” pushes into darker, more abstract territory, proving that this ensemble is fully capable of navigating the Dead’s most open-ended improvisational spaces. The emotional arc softens with “Brokedown Palace,” followed by the reflective weight of “Days Between,” a song that gains new gravity with age and experience. The album closes with “Ripple,” a reminder of the enduring simplicity and grace at the heart of the Grateful Dead canon.
Tonight’s edition of The Ace Radio Show fits perfectly alongside this release. The program offers a deep dive into Bob Weir’s musical universe, focusing on live performances that highlight his work beyond the original Grateful Dead framework. By showcasing material from projects like Wolf Bros, the show underscores how Weir continues to reinterpret and expand his catalog through live collaboration, blending rock, folk, and Americana into something that feels both rooted and forward-looking.
Together, Live in Colorado, Vol. 2 and The Ace Radio Show reinforce a core truth that has followed Bob Weir throughout his career: these songs are not museum pieces. They are living compositions, meant to be played, stretched, questioned, and rediscovered on stage. For listeners who believe that the real story of the Grateful Dead is written in live performances rather than studio takes, this album stands as essential listening and a powerful reminder that the music never stopped evolving, even when the world briefly stood still.
