Joe Russo’s Almost Dead Debuts Jimmy Cliff And Derek & The Dominos Covers In Dillon

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead kicked off a two-night stand at Dillon Amphitheater on Friday in Dillon, Colorado. The Grateful Dead tribute act’s debut at the picturesque, lakeside mountain venue saw the band offering premiere takes on Jimmy Cliff’s “The Harder They Come” and Derek & The Dominos‘ “Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad?”

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead had launched their three-night Colorado run the night previous in Vail, which saw drummer Joe Russo welcoming collaborator Craig Finn of The Hold Steady for a cover of John Hiatt’s “Walk On.” Just over Vail Pass in Dillon, JRAD delivered an opening jam to get into their Dillon Amp debut, which was brought to a boil as they headed into the hits signaling the Jimmy Cliff classic “The Harder They Come.” The cover was done in the style of the Jerry Garcia Band and led by guitarist Tom Hamilton.

“Harder They Come” was a favorite of Jerry Garcia in his solo project for decades. The JGB performed “Harder They Come” 299 times between 1976 and 1995, according to JerryBase.com.

JRAD stretched their first performance of the song past the 11-minute mark, including tasty organ and piano runs from keyboardist Marco Benevento as well as a twang-inflected solo from guitarist Scott Metzger and a fiery showing from Hamilton while bassist Dave Dreiwitz and Joe Russo kept the reggae groove in order.

Watch JRAD debut “The Harder They Come” below:

The quintet then got to their bread and butter with a number of Grateful Dead and Dead adjacent classics beginning with Metzger leading the way on Cannon’s Jug Stompers “Minglewood Blues.” followed by the dynamic duo of “Help on the Way” and “Slipknot!” after which the band inserted “I Need A Miracle,” helmed by Metzger.

A cool down came on “Loser” before the band embarked on a substantial rendition of “Bertha,” which contained a Pink Floyd “Fearless” tease, to seal the first set.

Set two got underway with an edgy jam that, coupled with “Playing in the Band,” hit the 20-minute mark. JRAD then offered 13-minute takes on the funky “Loose Lucy” and JGB favorite “Cats Under the Stars.” Next, “Feel Like a Stranger” prefaced a sprawling rendition of The Allman Brothers Band instrumental “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed.”

“It Must Have Been the Roses” fell in the ballad slot before the band brought set two to rocking close with “Not Fade Away.” JRAD returned for an encore and debut performance of Derek and the Dominos’ “Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad?” Eric Clapton’s co-writer on the Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs classic, Bobby Whitlock, recently passed away on August 10. Over a frenzied beat from Joe Russo, Metzger got the fretboard fireworks underway with a spicy run before kicking things over to Benevento on piano ahead of a wailing affair from Hamilton.

Watch JRAD unveil “Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad?” below:

Audio taped by Jeff Travitz

Photos

JRAD returns to the East Coast with a performance in Boston on September 11. Scroll down for the band’s itinerary and ticket info.