Bob Weir. Photo by Chloe Weir.
Weir, the Dead rhythm guitarist who was the subject of Netflix’s The Other One documentary in 2015 about his life and career, will release the new solo record, Blue Mountain, on September 30 on Columbia/Legacy Recordings. Blue Mountain will be Weir’s first album of entirely original material in 30 years, and in recording it, Weir worked with some of the most acclaimed young musicians in indie rock, including a songwriting collaboration with Josh Ritter and performances from a trio of musicians from The National: guitarists Aaron Dessner and Bryce Dessner and bassist Scott Devendorf. The National producer Josh Kaufman helmed Blue Mountain.
Columbia calls Blue Mountain “
A deeply personal collection of music inspired by the ranch stories and fireside songs of Bob’s youth, told with amazing wisdom and heart.” The album was recorded at a variety of locations on both coasts, including studios in San Rafael and Woodstock, New York over the spring and fall of 2015. A host of fellow musicians appear alongside Weir on Blue Mountain including Ray Rizzo (drums, harmonium, harmonica, backup vocals), Joe Russo (drums), Jon Shaw (upright bass, piano), Rob Burger (keyboard, accordion, tuned percussion), Sam Cohen (electric guitar and pedal steel), Nate Martinez (guitars, harmonium, backup vocals), Jay Lane (drums, vocals), Robin Sylvester (upright bass, vocals, hammond organ) and Steve Kimock (Lapsteel). Providing backup vocals are The Bandana Splits, comprised of Annie Nero, Lauren Balthrop and Dawn Landes. Kaufman produced the record with engineering by Dan Goodwin.As one of the founding members of the Grateful Dead in 1965, Weir received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. The band also appeared on Forbes’ list of top-grossing entertainers and in the early ‘90s were the highest-grossing concert attraction in the U.S. Over the span of more than 50 years, Weir has also performed with bands like The Other Ones, Kingfish, Bob Weir Band, Bobby and the Midnites, Scaring the Children, Ratdog and Furthur, co-led by former Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh.
Weir’s first solo album, Ace, was released in 1972. Most recently, Weir has been performing with Dead & Company, which features Grateful Dead members Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann along with Grammy-winner John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge and Jeff Chimenti. 2014 saw the release of “The Other One: The Long, Strange Trip of Bob Weir,” created by Netflix which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. Additionally, an Amazon film series based on Steve Parish’s 2003 book, “Home Before Midnight: My Life on the Road with the Grateful Dead,” is currently in development with Weir serving as an executive producer.
The 411: Blue Mountain is now available for pre-order on CD HERE and digital HERE. Weir will be performing in support of the album this fall on his “Campfire Tour.” Pre-sale tickets will be available on August 9 at 10am local time and public on-sale on August 12 at 10am here. Every online ticket order comes with a physical CD of Blue Mountain. A limited amount of Enhanced Experiences are available throughout the tour including two premium tickets in the first 2 rows, an invitation to attend soundcheck and more. For more information visit HERE See below for a full list of dates.
BLUE MOUNTAIN TRACK LIST
1. Only A River
2. Cottonwood Lullaby
3. Gonesville
4. Lay My Lily Down
5. Gallop On The Run
6. Whatever Happened To Rose
7. What The Ghost Towns Know
8. Darkest Hour
9. Ki-Yi Bossie
10. Storm Country
11. Blue Mountain
12. One More River To Cross
BOB WEIR LIVE
October 7—Marin County Civic Center—San Rafael, CA
October 8—Fox Theater—Oakland, CA
October 10—The Wiltern—Los Angeles, CA
October 12—Tower Theatre—Upper Darby, PA
October 14 & 15—Kings Theatre—Brooklyn, NY
October 16—The Capitol Theatre—Port Chester, NY
October 19—Ryman Auditorium—Nashville, TN