Concert Review: RatDog - Riverside Theater, Milwaukee, WI, 3/22/08 - Page 2

The group’s efficiency runs likewise in the logistical arrangements. Consider what goes into any group’s concerts and you’ll clearly and easily see it’s a major undertaking for this group of musicians, their publicist, the roadies, and the administrative and sales support staffs, plus all their equipment, to get to the next performance. Especially with the weather we had the day they blew into town, and the weather they had the day before in St Paul, had effectively made the statement, “Spring? What spring? I ain’t done with winter.”

Another thing that impressed me greatly was that the Dog’s website – there’s more than one, so pay attention in your surfing – publishes the playlist from every performance. Why’s that important? Because within about ten minutes after the performance’s wild, joyful, celebratory, and extremely satisfying end, CDs of that night’s performance are on sale in the lobby. Be warned, however: although a few extras are made, for the most part the number of CDs made is determined by those who order before the show. So be sure to order before the show starts. The published playlist will then give you the CDs’ content. If you’re a Deadhead or a Doggie you most likely won’t need it – many in the crowd sang along with the band on every number performed.

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.

Article Author: Lou Novacheck

Love music in just about all genres and forms. Love to travel. Been to 41 states, 2 provinces, 3 US possessions, and 34 countries on five continents, plus above the Artic Circle. Ex-military, ex-international sales, ex-self employed, and just about …

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