Joe Russo’s Almost Dead Brings The Duo Jams To House Of Blues In Boston

Boston’s House Of Blues hosted Joe Russo’s Almost Dead for a two set concert last evening. The show saw the Grateful Dead tribute act incorporate a number of songs by the Benevento Russo Duo during improvisational segments in the second set.

The first set opened with guitarist Scott Metzger leading the group through “The Music Never Stopped” and then guitarist Tom Hamilton taking lead on “China Cat Sunflower.” A transition to “I Know You Rider” was saved for the end of the set, and instead Hamilton took them into “Touch Of Grey.” “Black Throated Wind,” “Jack Straw” and a teases-filled “Ruben & Cherise” filled out the set ahead of the aforementioned “Rider” closer.

“Althea” opened the second set with keyboardist Marco Benevento and drummer Joe Russo reprising their The Duo days for a transition into “Good Lovin.” More elements of the Benevento Russo Duo emerged in a jam on “My Pet Goat” and again during a take on “Uncle John’s Band” that featured a jam on their “9×9.” The set drew to a close with “He’s Gone” > “Saint Of Circumstance.”

A cover of The Band’s “Ophelia” kicked off the encore, followed by “Not Fade Away” > “Brown Eyed Women” > “Not Fade Away.” JRAD heads to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic for an appearance at Dominican Holidaze Sunday night. View audience-shot footage of “Althea” from Boston below:

[Althea | Captured by Brosef Wilson]

Setlist (via JRAD FB)

Set One: The Music Never Stopped @ (SM) -> China Cat Sunflower (TH) -> Touch of Grey (TH), Black Throated Wind # (SM) > Jack Straw (SM & TH), Ruben & Cherise $ (TH) -> I Know You Rider (All)

Set Two: Althea % (TH) -> Duo Jam -> Good Lovin’ (SM) -> Terrapin Station Jam ++ -> My Pet Goat Jam ^ -> Terrapin Suite & (TH) > Uncle John’s Band (All) -> 9×9 Jam * -> Uncle John’s Band Reprise + (All), He’s Gone (TH/All) -> Saint Of Circumstance @@ (SM)

Encore: Ophelia (SM) > Not Fade Away ## (All) -> Brown Eyed Women %% -> Not Fade Away Reprise $$ (All)

Notes:

• @ – With The Eleven Tease (SM), unfinished
• # – With a Jack Straw Jam (Band)
• $ – With China->Rider Transition Teases (TH) & a “Waltz #1” (Elliot Smith) Tease (MB)
• % – With an “All of My Love” (Led Zeppelin) Tease (MB)
• ++ – First Time Played by Almost Dead (I think?)
• ^ – First Time Played by Almost Dead, Benevento Russo Duo Original, not the complete song
• & – With Ruben & Cherise Teases (Band)
• * – First Time Played by Almost Dead, Benevento Russo Duo Original, not the complete song
• + – First Time Played by Almost Dead
• @@ – With Ruben & Cherise and Terrapin Station Teases (Band)
• ## – With GDTRFB Teases (SM) and “Shortnin’ Bread” (James Whitcomb Riley) Teases (Band)
• %% – With a “Come On Feel The Noize” (Quiet Riot) Tease (JR)
• $$ – First time played since 2015-02-16 Boulder, CO, a gap of 66 shows, With a “Hey Bulldog” Jam (Band) – that may end up being a track, not sure if it was long enough.