#david rawlings

Gillian Welch & David Rawlings - Fox Theater, Oakland, California, April 18, 2026

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings took their Dead set on the road over the past several weeks — and by my reckoning, it was amazing. Even better than I expected, and my expectations were high! These shows were a perfect synthesis of the Welch / Rawlings sound and the Dead repertoire, performances that felt joyous and celebratory without just being total nostalgia trips. Gillian and David (with bassist Paul Kowert in tow) also managed to deliver what I imagine is the only Dead tribute that Jerry Garcia himself might've enjoyed. No mean feat!

Of course, I'm just going by the various tapes that have emerged so far. Tapers, I thank you — especially Joel, who flew out to the Bay Area to record the Oakland show. The whole thing sparkles, capturing the communal spirit of the evening in high quality.

In keeping with the Dead approach, these are long, two-set affairs; and also in keeping with the Dead, it all just seems to get more and more spellbinding as the night progresses. Gil and Dave certainly lean heavily towards the Garcia/Hunter side of things, but one of my favorite moments comes in the "Cassidy > Uncle John's Band > Cassidy" encore section, which embraces some jammier, free-form elements. You can almost see the twinkle in Bob Weir's eyes from here.

probably 20+ years since we’ve been to this joint. The Pines Theater in Look Park, Florence Mass hosted tonight by true national treasures David Rawlings and Gillian Welch jul 24 2026

Song Review: Gillian Welch & David Rawlings - “Cold Rain and Snow” (Live)

It’s got to be some kind of record.

While performing “Cold Rain and Snow” in a trio-acoustic setting with Gillian Welch and an unbilled Paul Kowert on double bass, David Rawlings solos throughout the six-minute runtime.

Welch sings the verses, Rawlings solos.

Rawlings sings the chorus in harmony with Welch and he keeps on soloing.

He solos during the solo breaks. And Rawlings solos so fluidly, Kowert often latches on to provide down-low counterpart while Welch keeps the rhythm intact.

Recorded in April during Welch and Rawlings’ Grateful Dead Acoustic Reckoning tour, it finds Welch leaving the Dead lyrics in place but using her own phrasing and adding a little yodel to the chorus for stunning effect.

Rawlings never runs out of ideas. Welch never reins him in. And Kowert gives the music exactly what it needs, resulting in a Grateful Dead cover that is not only agreeable but necessary.

Grade card: Gillian Welch & David Rawlings - “Cold Rain and Snow” (Live) - A