Bob Wier - Kingfish

Kingfish

Kingfish has gone through numerous changes over the years, but this album featured both Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead and Dave Torbert of New Riders of the Purple Sage. Musically, as might be expected, it strongly resembles a cross between "Panama Red"-era NRPS and "Heaven Help The Fool"-era Bob Weir. Originally issued on vinyl on the long-defunct "Round Records" label, it was basically a Bob Weir side project-- though he left the band shortly after and they carried on for years without him. Although I have an original vinyl copy, it had actually been a long time since I'd heard this album. And I had forgotten just how great it really is. It's been a while since I have so thoroughly enjoyed revisiting an old favorite. The musicianship is top notch-- even better in fact than I remembered-- and the songs are all great too. Not a dud in the bunch. No, it's not terribly profound... no deep meaning to most of it. Bobby even covers the old Marty Robbins chestnut "Big Iron" (and he does a helluva job on it, too!). Mostly it's just nice listening, an excuse to have a good time for about 40 minutes. And a couple of the cuts became concert staples for the Dead, so you'll probably enjoy hearing the originals. Overall a great listen, and I'd highly recommend it for anyone who likes the Dead or NRPS. (On a side note, Rhino simultaneously re-released this and Bob Weir's excellent "Ace" album-- actually a Grateful Dead album in disguise-- which contains my personal favorite recorded version of "Playin' In The Band". Pick 'em both up!)