Joe Russo’s Almost Dead Dusts Off ‘Lazy River Road’ In Philadelphia

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead opened their 2022 touring activity by making their Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia debut on Thursday night. Last night’s show included the quintet’s second take on the late-era Grateful Dead gem “Lazy River Road” and first since premiering their version on October 5, 2017.

The band consisting of guitarists Scott Metzger and Tom Hamilton, drummer Joe Russo, bassist Dave Dreiwitz and keyboardist Marco Benevento kicked off the first set with a rousing “Bertha” that dropped into “Feel Like A Stranger.” JRAD fit elements of “The Wheel” into the “Feel Like A Stranger” jam before moving on to “Loser.” Teases of “The Eleven” heralded the arrival of the song itself. Next came a tease-filled “Truckin’.” The five-piece then jammed on Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” to intro a set-closing “The Other One.”

Last night’s second set started with a jam on Blues Traveler’s “But Anyway” that developed into a Hamilton-sung “Foolish Heart.” Tommy went on to insert some of “But Anyway” into his “Foolish Heart” solo. Scott Metzger then led the group through an adventurous “New Minglewood Blues” with an improv hinting at “Terrapin Station,” “China Cat Sunflower” and “New Potato Caboose.” However, JRAD would eventually give flight to “Bird Song.” The ensuing “Let It Grow” bled into “Fire On The Mountain” before the band busted out “Lazy River Road” to conclude the frame. Metzger fronted “Samson & Delilah” as evening’s encore.

Listen to an audience recording of last night’s show taped by Rich Stoler:

Watch pro-shot video featuring the start of each set via Relix YouTube below: