Bob Weir, RatDog. Photo by John Patrick Gatta

Bob Weir & RatDog are currently in Negril, Jamaica for the RatDog Daze event. As previously reported, original RatDog bassist Rob Wasserman is filling in for his successor Robin Sylvester, who is unable to attend the event due to health reasons. RatDog’s first set on Sunday, January 24, featured a complete reworking of Weir’s debut solo album Ace. The group remained true to the album—running through Ace ’s songs in their correct order—with the exception of a “Dark Star” jam that led out of “Walk in the Sunshine” (as most Weir fans know, “Dark Star” is not featured on Ace). “Walk in the Sunshine” is also the only Ace song RatDog had never played before Jamaica. Jackie Greene was on hand throughout the week, sitting in with RatDog on occasion and playing with Mark Karan in an intimate resort bar setting.

The members of RatDog also participated in a Welcome Jam Saturday night. The segment opened with RatDog members Karan (guitar), Jay Lane (drums), Kenny Brooks (saxophone) and Jeff Chimenti (keyboards) playing alongside Greene on bass. Greene later moved to guitar as Weir and Wasserman emerged for a few songs, including “Sugaree” and “Desolation Row.” The members of the Radiators—who were in Jamaica for their own event a few days before RatDog Daze—later sat in after Weir and Wasserman left the stage. In total, the Welcome Jam spiraled on for over three hours.