Song Review: Blackberry Smoke with Bob Weir - “Deep Elm Blues”
Old - so old as to be Dead - and (relatively) new join together on a new version of the American chestnut “Deep Elm Blues.”
Recorded at Bob Weir’s TRI Studios in 2013 and set for inclusion on the DVD “Blackberry Smoke with Bob Weir: An Evening at TRI,” out tomorrow, this track finds the Dead man and the Smokes trading verses and solos and melding visual and musical styles.
Languid, as is Weir’s wont, but bouncy, as is Blackberry Smoke’s, this performance features Weir, in shorts, a golf shirt and Birks, on acoustic slide and vocals and the young band, in jeans and Ts, playing ably with him, despite being obviously starstruck.
“Not to kiss ass, but this is a big deal,” guitarist/singer Charlie Starr says in the DVD’s trailer (above) before it cuts to the performance.
Starr and keyboardist Brandon Still each take solos around Weir’s and the resulting “Deep Elm Blues” is deep in the groove and feather light.
It’s one of 16 songs, half of which feature Weir, on the DVD, including covers of the Grateful Dead, Johnny Cash, the Band, Chuck Berry and more. There’s also behind-the-scenes footage and a band interview conducted by Weir.
“An Evening at TRI” is available at Blackberrysmoke.com.
Grade card: Blackberry Smoke with Bob Weir - “Deep Elm Blues” - A
2/2/17
