Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Senior citizen status hasn’t put the brakes on Bob Weir’s concert and collaborative pursuits. On the contrary, his 71st year is chock full of creativity, starting with the spring debut of the Bobby & Phil duo (with fellow Grateful Dead co-founder Phil Lesh), followed by an annual Dead & Company expedition and now the fall formation of an entirely fresh band that filled up the acoustically pristine and ornate Chicago Theatre for two nights.

The way everyone kept cheering, the encores could’ve lasted well into the weekend, though a sole return for the always sweet “Ripple” will have to be enough to keep everyone content until Bob Weir bares the next “Ace” up his sleeve.

Bob Weir And Wolf Bros could be considered a mini-Traveling Wilburys of sorts thanks to stand-up bassist Don Was, The Rolling Stones/Bonnie Raitt super producer and sometimes Was (Not Was) leader, alongside drummer Jay Lane, whose been in and out of Primus and a RatDog/Further regular. Although a performance on Halloween was a primer to celebrate both their birth and the holiday, it was actually the following evening’s almost three-hour undertaking that sent the cork flying and made the downtown landmark feel like an overflowing Alpine Valley.

That’s because the lean and loose trio had the set list and vibe exactly right, starting with the double shot of Dead dynamite “Jack Straw” and “I Need A Miracle.” Weir and his wolves would return to that catalogue on numerous occasions, but also spread some groovy cowboy dust throughout “Gonesville” (off Weir’s latest solo pursuit “Blue Mountain”) and impulsive, intriguing covers as wide as Willie Dixon’s “Wang Dang Doodle,” The Beatles’ “Tomorrow Never Knows,” The Temptations’ “Shakey Ground” and Bobby “Blue” Bland’s “Turn On Your Love Light” (amongst others).

In between, “Loose Lucy” kept the calls and responses coming, “Althea” was flat out classic, “Dark Star” delivered and “The Music Never Stopped” aptly symbolized the evening’s attitude. The way everyone kept cheering, the encores could’ve lasted well into the weekend, though a sole return for the always sweet “Ripple” will have to be enough to keep everyone content until Weir bares the next “Ace” up his sleeve.

Click here for more photos of Bob Weir And Wolf Bros at the Chicago Theatre.

For additional information on Bob Weir And Wolf Bros, visit BobWeir.net.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Chicago Theatre include Jo Koy (Nov. 3-4); Hanson String Theory (Nov. 5); Stars And Strings (Nov. 7); Bill Burr (Nov. 8-10); Dr. Seuss’ “How The Grinch Stole Christmas!” The Musical (Nov. 16-25); Anita Baker (Nov. 26-27); Conan & Friends (Nov. 28); John Butler Trio (Nov. 29) and Trailer Park Boys (Nov. 30). For additional details, visit TheChicagoTheatre.com.

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