There’s also none of the typical “it’s great to be me” speech given by so many entertainers today. (Even one is too many.) A few cogent, telling comments punctuating nearly three hours of great music. No time-fillers, no stalling, just serious music. Fittingly, the performance closed with RatDog’s rendition of “Ripple,” my choice for the Best of Class for Grateful Dead songs, and one of their best known.

In between the opener – which, if you’ve never been to a RatDog concert before, when you first hear it you may think it’s the musicians tuning up – and “Ripple,” winding down the show, you’ve got a whole lot of great music. (You can see the night’s playlist below.)

And just wait ‘til you hear the Dog’s version of “All Along The Watchtower.” It starts off really slow and bluesy, with lots of twang, then quickly moves into a kind of reggae beat with Dylan’s words, which surprise you initially because of the rhythm and pacing. Four-and-a-half minutes later, when MK steps into the foreground, a smile will find its way onto your face as he picks up the pace, and begins to make his guitar talk, sing, and even dance a little. Two minutes after that, when Jeff Chimenti brings his keyboards into play, you’ll be grinning broadly, maybe even giggling a little. The rhythm slips back into the reggae beat for another minute or so, then the pace picks back up, and you’re unable to sit or stand still.

Every band member gets a chance to show off a little, with Jay Lane giving lessons toward the end of the show on “Stuff.” This blends into “Come Together,” with MK again showing his guitar prowess, then easing out with a reprise of “Bird Song,” and the closer, “Ripple.” It’s now three hours later and we have to face the mounds of snow everywhere, but we were undaunted, we were well fortified, and it wasn’t just “One More Saturday Night.” It was a very special Saturday night.

P.S. If you’re a Mark Karan fan, as every Ratdog fan is, check out Mark’s website, and pick up a copy of the CD available there, Jemimah Puddleduck.

Set One
Jam>Feel Like A Stranger
Casey Jones
Jack Straw
Little Red Rooster
Odessa
All Along The Watchtower
Dire Wolf
Birdsong

Set Two
You Win Again
Catfish John
The Weight
The Last Time
Good Morning Little Schoolgirl
Ashes and Glass
Stuff
Come Together
Bird Song (reprise)
One More Saturday Night

Encore
Ripple