Joe Russo’s Almost Dead Plays Guest-Filled New Year’s Eve Show At The Cap

Grateful Dead tribute act Joe Russo’s Almost Dead held the second of two shows at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York, hosting a New Year’s Eve concert on December 31. The group welcomed special guests and incorporated songs by a pair of legendary rock acts amidst three sets of classics from the Dead’s repertoire.

The Antibalas horns – Stuart Bogie, Ray Mason, Jordan McLean and Martin Perna – started the show at the front of the house and made their way through the crowd in a New Orleans-style march to the stage as drummer Joe Russo fired up “Rubin & Cherise.” A rendition of “Not Fade Away” followed and segued into a pairing of “Help On The Way” and “Slipknot!” Rather than going with the often played “Franklin’s Tower” trifecta, Russo and the ensemble shifted to The Band’s “Life Is A Carnival.” The first set came to a close via “Truckin.’”

“Box Of Rain” kicked off set two ahead of vocalist Nicole Atkins joining JRAD for “The Music Never Stopped.” After “Eyes Of The World” and “Loose Lucy,” Atkins returned to sing “Dancing In The Street.” The set closer saw guitarist Tom Hamilton and keyboardist Marco Benevento join Russo for a mid-song drums jam.

Russo and Red Baraat drummer Sunny Jain kicked off set three with a drums segment that led up to everyone joining together for the New Year’s Eve countdown. JRAD started 2017 with guitarist Scott Metzger leading the collective on “Good Lovin,’” trailed by a performance of “Terrapin Station.” The third set also featured renditions of “Wharf Rat” and “Sugar Magnolia.” Atkins was tapped to lead the encore opening version of Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” that saw bassist Dave Dreiwitz delivering thunderous bass lines. A fitting “One More Saturday Night” put a cap on the night at The Cap and 2016. Below view a pair of officially shared video clips followed by audience-shot highlights from The Cap:

[Rubin & Cherise]

https://www.facebook.com/JRAlmostDead/videos/1363644867003286/

[The Music Never Stopped (partial)]

https://www.facebook.com/JRAlmostDead/videos/1363735800327526/

[Kashmir | Shared by Nicole Atkins]

[Eyes Of The World | Shared by JRAD]

[Countdown | Captured by monihampton]

[Good Lovin’ | Shared by The Capitol Theatre]

[Good Lovin’ | Shared by JRAD]

[Dancing In The Streets | Captured by monihampton]