Joe Russo’s Almost Dead Offers Debuts & Bust Outs In Montclair

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead continued their three-night run at the Wellmont Theater in Montclair, New Jersey on Friday. The eventful night two saw the band unveiling three new covers and also working a verse of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway To Heaven” into “Let It Grow” along with dusting off a few tunes.

After premiering songs from Kris Kristofferson and Bob Dylan the show previous, JRAD got night two underway by jamming into the debut of Allen Toussaint’s “Get Out My Life, Woman,” sung by guitarist Tom Hamilton. Next, the band premiered Bob Dylan’s “Maggie’s Farm,” which saw Hamilton and guitarist Scott Metzger swapping verses. JRAD then dusted off Johnny Cash’s “Big River” — last time played on June 18, 2021for a gap of 53 shows — and “Stagger Lee” — performed last on July 31, 2021 for a gap of 48 shows — as per JRAD Facebook.

Next came “Let It Grow,” which contained a solo from Marco Benevento that saw the keyboardist teasing Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway To Heaven.” The band picked up on it and the iconic guitar riff rang out through the theater followed by drummer Joe Russo singing the first verse. Benevento, Russo, Metzger and JRAD/Ween bassist Dave Dreiwitz performed in a Led Zeppelin cover band called Bustle In Your Hedgerow in the past. The band then continued with “Let It Grow” before closing out the first set with “Bird Song.”

The second frame got underway with yet another debut, The Beatles’ psychedelic classic “Rain,” sung by Hamilton. “The Music Never Stopped” followed and contained a “Black Peter” jam followed by “St. Stephen” which saw Hamiton adding elements of Pink Floyd’s “Run Like Hell.”

JRAD then dove into “Help On The Way” and “Slipknot,” with the latter seeing “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” teases. The quintet kept up the Allman Brothers to close the trifecta with “One Way Out,” last time played on August 15, 2021 at LOCKN’ Farm. Robbie Robertson’s “Broken Arrow,” sung by Dreiwitz, then made its first appearance since Summer 2021 before the band capped off the set with “Good Lovin.’” Joe Russo’s Almost Dead returned to deliver the 2022 debut of “Big Railroad Blues” to seal the stellar show.

Watch video and listen to the complete concert below via Jeff Travitz: