Joe Russo’s Almost Dead Covers John Hiatt With Craig Finn In Vail

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead was joined by The Hold Steady’s Craig Finn a performance of John Hiatt’s “Walk On” last night in Vail, Colorado. The collaborative cover opened the second set of the show at Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater.

Before the start of Thursday’s second set, drummer Joe Russo, keyboardist Marco Benevento, bassist Dave Dreiwitz and guitarists Tom Hamilton and Scott Metzger gently woke their instruments up from set break. Russo briefly spoke to the crowd at the scenic outdoor venue.

“So sometimes when you go to play some concerts with your friends here,” Russo explained. “When you go to fun places like Vail, Colorado, and you find out you have other friends that are on vacation in Vail, Colorado. One of them happens to be here tonight. I’ve been very fortunate to be in his band on many occasion. We’d like to have him come out here and start the set with us. Mr. Craig Finn from The Hold Steady.”

Finn has enlisted Russo’s drumming services numerous times both in the studio and live in concert. Finn’s guest appearance for “Walk On” was his first time performing with JRAD.

“Walk On” was the title track to Hiatt’s 12th studio album, which the veteran singer-songwriter released in 1995. Hamilton played a serene slide guitar on what was the group’s first time playing the Hiatt song.

In the aftermath of Finn’s sit-in, JRAD barrelled into a blistering approach to “Uncle John’s Band.” Without stopping, the quintet transitioned to a fiery “The Music Never Stopped” and kept rolling into “Cumberland Blues.” More classic Grateful Dead material rounded out the second set via a tender “He’s Gone” and colossal “Terrapin Station.”

JRAD returned for the encore with Craig Finn back for a second sit-in. The concert ended with Finn helping sing “Going Down The Road Feeling Bad,” which included the “We Bid You Goodnight” instrumental coda.

The collaborative second set followed Joe Russo’s Almost Dead’s first set that began with an improvised intro leading to “Tough Mama.” The rest of set one unfolded with “Man Smart, Woman Smarter,” “New Speedway Boogie,” “After Midnight,” “Black-Throated Wind” and “Jack Straw.”

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead’s Colorado run continues with shows tonight and tomorrow in Dillion. Livestreams, including an on-demand replay of last night’s concert in Vail, are available to nugs All Access subscribers.

Watch the nugs livestream preview of Thursday’s concert in Vail and listen to an audience recording of JRAD with Finn below:

Audio (Taped by Jeff Travitz)