The Weight Band at Lewis A. Swyer Theatre at the Egg in Albany, New York
Back on August 28 1985, I had the privilege of seeing The Band open for Crosby, Stills, and Nash at Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga, New York. CSN were amazing, but getting a chance to hear The Band perform live was a real treat, even though Robbie Robertson was no longer with them at that point. Joining Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, and Garth Hudson that night was Jim Weider, a native of Woodstock, New York, who took on the unenviable task of replacing Robbie Robertson on guitar, remaining until the group’s eventual dissolution in 2000. Back in 2013, Weider formed The Weight Band inside the barn of Levon Helm Studios and began performing “Songs of The Band” with Garth Hudson, Jimmy Vivino, and Byron Isaacs. After receiving enthusiastic support from fans, Weider continued performing songs from The Band, inviting singer and keyboardist Brian Mitchell to complete their “Woodstock” sound. The Weight Band later added bassist/vocalist Albert Rogers (2016), drummer/vocalist Michael Bram (2017), and keyboardist/vocalist Matt Zeiner (2019) to the fold, who all performed in the Lewis A. Swyer Theatre at the Egg in Albany, New York on Friday December 13, 2024.
The Weight Band played a 24-song concert in two hour-long sets that included the entirety of the Band’s classic album Music from Big Pink (even the bonus tracks that did not make the album), as well as other fan favorite Band songs, a couple choice Grateful Dead covers, and their own original music from their latest album Shines Like Gold (which seamlessly fit right in). Although the venue was a bit chilly, the band was hot. They had the rapt audience from the first song “Tears of Rage.” Let’s face it, it is impossible to emulate the marrow-piercing soulful falsetto of the late great Richard Manuel, but Matt Zeiner not only deftly performed the song with both soul and conviction, he seemed to channel Manuel in both his phrasings and emotional delivery, while Jim Weider added complimentary volume control rhythmic chords and a stirring heartfelt Roberson-eque solo.
After a few of the lesser known songs from Big Pink, Weider told the crowd, “Here’s one you can sing along with,” and they launched into “The Weight,” receiving a much deserved round of applause afterward. The singular performance seemed to even impress the musicians on stage, which spurred Weider to exclaim, “That song’s like an old leather shoe that’s broken in just right.” Weider, surrounded by a semicircle of three different guitars and a mandolin, proved to be the venerable master of the telecaster, playing some outstanding solos in Robbie Roberson’s unique bluesy false harmonic style, while adding his own tasty and technical touches. He received numerous sporadic cheers for the solos he performed throughout the evening, but after a spectacularly stellar solo during “Chest Fever,” Weider had to set his signature ’52 yellow-hued tele back in its respective stand, no doubt giving it some time to cool off.
All four vocalists did an outstanding job, faithfully rendering the Band’s unique and distinctive Appalachian vocals while adding in their own personal stylings and nuances. This talented and experienced group of musicians conveyed just how well-rehearsed and well-versed they are with this material, nailing the three-part vocal harmonies and complex tempo changes on songs like “We Can Talk,” “Chest Fever,” and “Wheels on Fire.” Skilled keyboardists Matt Zeiner and Brian Mitchell continually exchanged places behind the piano and the B3 organ and both conveyed their prowess on each instrument. Mitchell also periodically switched to his Hohner accordion while Weider played mandolin on “Long Black Veil,” “Out in the Wilderness,” and the first encore “Atlantic City,” the Bruce Springsteen song The Band had covered on their 1993 Jericho album. Bassist Albert Rogers not only grounded the band with his solid bass playing from center stage, but also provided high and clear Danko-inspired lead vocals on Band songs like “Long Black Veil” and “Atlantic City,” and on their original songs “Shines Like Gold” and “Out of the Wilderness.”
Drummer Michael Bram deserves credit for achieving that laid-back Helm feel, replicating Levon’s signature drum rolls on “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” where he also played an impressive and tasteful drum solo (yes, there is such a thing) in the middle of the song before the band came in with the final verse, the crowd adding joyous, enthusiastic “na na nas” during the chorus. The only thing missing in the song was the horn section, the opening tuba part of the verses being supplied by Mitchell on the keyboard.
Mitchell, whose raspy New Orleanian vocal style (a combination of John Hiatt and Dr. John with the vibe of Little Stephen Van Sant), seemed to be a crowd favorite and certainly brings character to the band besides his renowned musicianship. He received applause and accolades from the crowd for each of his accordion, piano, and his B3 solos. At one point, as he sat down at the piano and wryly announced, “It’s my job to sing the songs that didn’t make the original release,” then captivated the crowd with “Lonesome Suzie.” Before “Yazoo Street Scandal,” Mitchell, a member of Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble Band, explained that “while playing with Levon, I learned that Yazoo Street was the funky part of town they warned me not to go to. Well, that’s exactly the parts where I like to hang out.” Mitchell sang the heck out of the song, at one point bouncing on his piano stool while belting out the final verse, which had patrons howling with approval and appreciation. During “The Shape I’m in,” the crowd spontaneously clapped along, prompting Mitchell to stand up for the final four bars playing a lone fevered piano solo prior to the band hitting the final resounding chord.
Before the encores, Weider announced, “It’s too hard to get on and off the stage – who wants to hear another song?” to rousing applause. The crowd sang along with both encores: the spirited “Atlantic City” and a fabulous version of the Grateful Dead’s “New Speedway Boogie,” with Weider playing slide guitar that elicited a standing ovation and left fans in high spirits. The members of the Weight band graciously came out to meet fans afterward for photos, merch signing, and appreciative words, which gave me the chance to tell Jim Weider directly that I am not going to wait nearly 40 years to see his band perform again.
Find tour dates and more information here: https://www.theweightband.com
Setlist
Set 1
Tears of Rage
To Kingdom Come
At The Station
Caledonia Mission
The Weight
We Can Talk
Long Black Veil
Chest Fever
Lonesome Suzie
Wheels On Fire
Yazoo Street Scandal
I Shall Be Released
Set 2
Shines Like Gold [The Weight Band]
Time is a Thief [The Weight Band]
Deal [Grateful Dead cover]
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
Don’t Do It
Ophelia
Out of The Wilderness [The Weight Band]
King Harvest (Has Surely Come)
Up On Cripple Creek
The Shape I’m In
ENCORES:
Atlantic City
New Speedway Boogie [Grateful Dead cover]
