Joe Russo’s Almost Dead Kicks Off Livestream Run

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead delivered the first of three LOCKN’ livestream concerts on Thursday. The show marked the Grateful Dead tribute act’s return to the stage since the pandemic began.

After an introduction from LOCKN’ co-founder Peter Shapiro, JRAD got things underway with “Crazy Fingers.” The band eased into the Blues For Allah cut with drummer Joe Russo working the mallets and keyboardist Marco Benevento adding some jazzy Fender Rhodes runs over Dave Dreiwitz’s bass. Guitarists Scott Metzger and Tom Hamilton trickled in creating a soothing soundscape that built before dropping into the reggae beat of the song proper with Hamilton on lead vocals and Russo backing him up on the chorus. Metzger, Benevento and Hamilton delivered solos before taking the song into “Tennesse Jed” ahead of the Bob Weir highway tune, “Black-Throated Wind.” An appropriate “Touch Of Grey” then led into “Let It Grow,” showcasing JRAD’s uncanny sense for reimagined Dead juxtapositions. The band brought the first frame to a close with “It Must Have Been The Roses.”

The second set began with “The Other One” which segued into “Estimated Prophet.” “Jack Straw” came next before the band returned to Blues For Allah with “Help On The Way” into “Slipknot!” But instead of completing the usual Dead trifecta with “Franklin’s Tower,” JRAD threw one of their patented curveballs and headed into “Playing In The Band.” Joe Russo’s Almost Dead brought the livestream to a conclusion with Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away.”

Watch video of “Crazy Fingers” below via The Relix Channel:

The free portion of Joe Russo’s Almost Dead’s livestream run concludes tonight via The Relix Channel on Twitch.