Show Review - Joe Russo's Almost Dead 6/4/23 Morrison, CO
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead completed their first ever two-night stand at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheater last night, unleashing two incredible (and lengthy!) sets on the Sunday night crowd – excelling in both song selection and execution.
An earlier start than Saturday’s show and the breakup of the imposing rain clouds left the early evening audience in high spirits as the band took the stage and eased into “Truckin’.” Drummer Joe Russo and keyboardist Marco Benevento locked in on an easy groove that the rest of the band gradually joined in on before landing smoothly in the beginning of the Bob Weir-penned classic. Smoothly working together to build tension, the quintet exploded into a succinct rendition of “Born Cross-Eyed” before embarking back into jam world.
One of the coolest moments of the night happened next when guitarist Tom Hamilton stumbled upon the opening riff to “The Eleven” seemingly on purpose. Seeming as though they were segueing into the song, they built upon that riff for several minutes – and just when the expected drop into the song was due, JRAD opted to swerve left into “Shakedown Street,” eliciting a massive cheer from the crowd.
The always-groovy number led into a quieter jam space that found itself spiraling into “Me And My Uncle,” where Benevento went absolutely WILD on his keyboard rig, switching from Rhodes to organ and piano as all the band members sported huge smiles on their faces.
“Eyes of the World” was up next and was a perfect choice as the blue sky poked through the thin cloud cover. Bright and upbeat was the vibe as the band traded off solos. Eschewing the usual Dave Dreiwitz bass solo, JRAD set into a rocking motif that built perfectly into “Feel Like A Stranger.” In the words of my good friend Joe May, this jam “went nuclear.” Held down by the rhythm section, Benevento danced across his grand piano into a distinctly funky jam. The groove deepened as Hamilton added sharp stabs of slap guitar – yes, slap guitar – before a massive closing peak. Taking us into setbreak with a hot “Deal,” I was overjoyed to see one of my favourite Grateful Dead songs performed with the intensity that JRAD brings to every performance.
Spacey textures and slide guitar from Hamilton began the second-set opening “Jam.” Benevento put out waves of spring reverb effects from his organ as Metzger slowly began to hint at the opening of “Black-Throated Wind.” This early 70s Dead classic was treated to an absolutely INCENDIARY jam as Hamilton unleashed some serious fretboard fireworks as they segued into “Cream Puff War,” a song only played by the Grateful Dead a handful of times in the 1960s.
Without losing a drop of momentum, JRAD blasted into “Bertha,” getting a full sing-along going with the Red Rocks crowd.
Another quiet section led beautifully into the opening of “Playing in the Band” and saw the band extend the intro with soaring guitar and keyboard licks. The main jam segment of the song went deep for just under 15 minutes, the highlight of which was the jazzy section that saw Benevento doing his best Herbie Hancock impression with Rhodes stabs as Russo drove the jam on his ride cymbal.
Slinking into “New Speedway Boogie” next, dirty low-end guitar dominated as the jam built tension higher and higher before an explosion into “The Other One.” With “Let It Grow” teases EVERYWHERE, this “Other One” was an exercise in beating up your instrument in the key of E minor, all five members giving it their all throughout.
Hamilton took the next interlude on his own, keeping the audience’s undivided attention as he coaxed waves of synth-like sound from his guitar. This eventually coalesced into a crazy psychedelic segue into Pink Floyd’s “Hey You.” JRAD has a special knack for covering Floyd (among MANY other bands) and their enjoyment was evident by the continued smiles and positive energy radiating off of the stage.
It's hard to pick a song that could have elevated the show any further than the set-closing “Terrapin Station.” Extending every possible jam within the composition, I was in consistent awe at seeing this quintessential song live for the very first time.
A rocking encore of “Sugar Magnolia” complete with compliments to the audience’s patience and open ears from Russo closed out the show and run.
Seeing JRAD is a special experience that blends the extensive Grateful Dead catalogue with being an absolute nerd about teases and segues, and I cannot WAIT to see them again later this summer.
Listen to last night’s show via taper Jeff Travitz here.