Over the weekend RatDog returned to California for appearances at Los Angeles Wiltern Theater Saturday and Long Beach, CAs The Vault 350 Sunday. On both nights Bruce Hornsby keyboardist J.T. Thomas joined RatDog onstage, as he did on occasion during Weir and Hornsbys summer joint tour. On Saturday, Thomas appeared at the start of the groups second set for Bob Dylans A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall, returning at the end of the show for Dear Prudence, the second verse Dark Star, One More Saturday Night and U.S. Blues. Earlier in the evening, Gabby La La made her first appearance with Weir on most of the above-mentioned selections as well as Even So, October Queen, The Deep End and The Wheel.
A night later, Thomas returned for a number of songs including Deal, Scarlet Begonias, Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door, Two Djinn and Samson and Delilah. Fiddle player Philip Salazar also joined RatDog for its entire second set while tenor saxophonists Matt Otto and Alex Budman, both frequents collaborator of RatDogs Kenny Brooks, helped the group close out its performance. RatDogs tour will continue at San Franciscos Grand Ballroom tomorrow.