Joe Russo’s Almost Dead Breaks Out Neil Young Cover In Bethlehem

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead headed to guitarist Tom Hamilton’s home state of Pennsylvania for a show in Bethlehem on Thursday night. The Grateful Dead tribute band’s concert at Wind Creek Event Center featured a bust out cover of a rarely played Neil Young song landing in the encore slot.

JRAD kicked off the show’s first set by jamming into Bob Dylan’s “Shelter From The Storm.” Also a rarity, “Shelter From The Storm” has only been played a handful of times and had gone nearly one year since its last setlist appearance. Pulling again from beyond the Grateful Dead’s repertoire, Dorsey Burnette’s “Magnificent Sanctuary Band,” which was recorded during sessions for Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia’s solo album, Cats Under The Stars and likely performed at least once in concert by Garcia, followed the opener.

A trio of Dead staples kept the set rolling with “Hell In A Bucket,” “New Speedway Boogie” and “Estimated Prophet” played in succession. Set one came to a close with another crossover from Garcia’s solo endeavors, J.J. Cale’s “After Midnight.”

Set two saw JRAD leaning into the Grateful Dead staples, first tapping “Alabama Getaway” as the second half opener. “Black-Throated Wind,” “Jack Straw,” “Crazy Fingers” and “Truckin’” filled in the setlist with Garcia’s “Mission In The Rain” closing the set.

Before the encore, drummer Joe Russo’s trusted four-legged canine companion Ted made a cameo onstage. JRAD then kicked into the encore, which was Neil Young’s “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere.” Bassist Dave Dreiwitz shared guitarist Scott Metzger’s microphone to help sing the Young classic that JRAD had only played twice prior, first in 2019 and again in 2021.

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead visits Hamilton’s hometown of Philadelphia for a concert tonight at The Met. Watch last night’s “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere” bust out and other highlights, and stream an audience recording of the show below:

Audio Taped by Jeff Travitz