Joe Russo’s Almost Dead Debuts ‘Mercury Blues’ Cover In Madison

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead wrapped up a two-night run at The Sylvee in Madison, Wisconsin on Friday. The Grateful Dead tribute act unveiled a cover of “Mercury Blues” during the encore of the show originally scheduled for August 27, 2021.

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead — drummer Joe Russo, guitarists Tom Hamilton and Scott Metzger, keyboardist Marco Benevento and bassist Jon Shaw (filling in for Dave Dreiwitz as Ween is on tour) — eased their way into an expansive “Crazy Fingers,” helmed by Hamilton, to start off the show. The band continued the seamless first set with Metzger leading the way on “Estimated Prophet” which headed into “Touch Of Grey” with the ensuing jam containing Schubert teases from Benevento. The classic Dead pairing of “Lost Sailor” and “Saint Of Circumstance” followed with the latter containing elements of “Let It Grow.” JRAD wrapped up the first set with “Shakedown Street.”

The quintet offered a vibey jam, with Benevento manning the electric piano, to open the second frame which escalated and led into “Here Comes Sunshine” with Tom singing lead. JRAD then found their way into “Hell In Bucket” with Scott on vocals. The following jam saw the band bandying “Baba O’Riley” teases about before cooling down on “Stella Blue.” The segment leading out of “Stella” saw JRAD working their mashup magic with elements of “Uncle John’s Band” and “Eyes Of The World” before heading into “Lady With A Fan” and continuing through the entire “Terrapin” suite to cap off the second set.

JRAD returned to offer the debut of “Mercury Blues.” Originally penned by K.C. Douglas and Robert Geddins and recorded by Douglas in 1948, the blues standard has seen many cover versions from Steve Miller Band, David Lindley, Alan Jackson and more. JRAD joined that group on Friday to put an exclamation point on their Sylvee run.

Watch pro-shot video of the first and second set openers below: