Photo Album:
THE BOB WEIR & RATDOG TOUR:
One More Saturday Night: (l to r) Raymond X. Sanders,
Jimmy Hayes,
and Bob Weir.
Left to Right, Joe Russell, Raymond Sanders, Jayotis Washington, Jimmy
Hayes, Jerry Lawson.
photo by Valerie Ramos-Ford. (If there is a better photo of the group,
we'd like to see it.)
In 2000, the Grateful Dead's Bob Weir
took The Persuasions on tour with his band, Ratdog.
The 30-city national tour, from October through early December, 2000, was
the biggest that the group had been on since they opened for Van Morrison in
1974. Valerie Ramos-Ford, a Persuasions fan, took some splendid shots which
she has graciously allowed to be reproduced here. "My goal," she said, "was
to go beyond capturing their image, and to reach for a glimpse of their
energy and essence." The shots were snapped at the Hammerstein Ballroom in
New York City, 11/18/00. The Pers opened the shows with a half-hour set of
Grateful Dead songs, and some of their old chestnuts, before coming back
later to join Ratdog on "Liberty" and "One More Saturday Night."
Jimmy Hayes on the tour: "I kept lookin' out at the audience, man, and
seeing the same people! Night after night! I mean, we couldn't believe it!
I'd see a guy in Chicago that we'd seen in Las Vegas---and in the same seat,
man! These Deadheads are somethin' else."
Bob Weir on The Persuasions singing Grateful Dead: "They're
wonderful! It's both entertaining and edifying to hear these guys, 'cause
that's American musical heritage. I think [audiences] are going to love it,
and they're also going to come back with... an understanding of some of the
stuff that [the Dead] used to do. They're every bit as good at what they do
as the Golden Gate Quartet or the Swan Silvertones, only it's secular
music."
Also, indefatigable Ratdog Tour Assistant Maggie Snaidas sent in a great
portrait of her with the guys, which also may be viewed below.(Thanks,
Maggie!)
A letter from a fan in attendance:
"My 12 year old son and I went to see Ratdog last night at the
Landmark Theatre (Mosque) in Richmond, Va and were so pleasantly surprised
to see you. You add so much to the spirit and soul of the whole Dead
experience. There is so much good lovin' and spirituality. I always thought
of "Black Muddy Water" as a gospel spiritual, and you guys did it. I am also
so thankful that the spirit of the Dead has begun to cross racial
boundaries. I always wanted the black community to understand that there
were so many of us white folks who felt such love and I personally wanted to
share it with everyone. Rap is so negative and I am sorry it is taking hold
of our society. Blacks have always led the music world from the time of folk
storytelling to Motown to Jazz to Carribean to real love songs. Your talent
is beautiful. I was so moved that you found the beauty in the ballads of the
Dead and that you gave a moment to Jerry Garcia - and what was so beautiful
is how well you are received by the predominantly white audience of the Dead
experience. Whether you know it or not, (the crowd was just getting started)
everyone left there saying how much they appreciated you being a part of the
show. It is as if you give it even more validity by instilling the gospel -
because the Dead experience has always been a spiritual happening - it is
bigger than all of us - and we welcome you as a part of it.Thank you for
joining us - thank you for adding to the message - thank you for being you -
thank you for the show....My son loved it, and so did I. Bless you and God
keep you. Keep the spirit. Love, Laura H. Bezdan, Hunter Bezdan.
THE PHOTOS, by Valerie Ramos-Ford:
Persuasions and Bobby
One More Saturday Night
Joe and Ray: Black Muddy River, Roll
On
Pers and Bobby 2
Sometimes the light's all shining
on. . .Jerry
If I were an eagle, I'd dress like a
duck. . .Jayotis
Having a high time. . .Ray
And we bid you goodnight
MORE PERS PIX:
From the
"Frankly A Cappella" sessions
Jimmy and Jayotis record "Mystery Track" a la
Zappa, with heads in grand piano
Jayotis plus artwork
Jerry in honorary FZ top
hat
Jimmy at the mike
Joe in T-shirt designed
by Charles Bogle
Jay chokes
chicken
Ray at the mike
B.J. between takes
From the
"Might As Well:
Persuasions Sing Grateful Dead" sessions:
Click HERE
And. . .
Pers' most unusual concert performance
Pers and Rense, 2000 |
The
Persuasions
