Pro-Shot Video: Joe Russo’s Almost Dead Fits ‘Uncle John’s’ & ‘Becky’ Within ‘Viola Lee Blues’

On December 30 Grateful Dead tribute act Joe Russo’s Almost Dead continued their New Year’s Run with the first of two shows at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York. Yesterday, the five-piece unveiled pro-shot video of a sizzling 25-minute sequence from the show as this week’s Rad Tracks Thursday selection.

The video below starts with a take on the early Grateful Dead repertoire staple “Viola Lee Blues.” Almost Dead takes “Viola Lee” for a spin that includes a wild jam with baritone saxophonist Cochemea Gastelum which eventually finds its way into “Uncle John’s Band.” Another adventurous bit of improv comes out of “Uncle John’s” that features drummer Joe Russo and keyboardist Marco Benevento dipping into the Benevento/Russo Duo catalog for “Becky.”

The pair brings “Becky” to a close at which point the rest of the band joins in to conclude “Uncle John’s Band.” JRAD ends the wonderful sequence with a reprise of “Viola Lee Blues.” Here’s the “Viola Lee Blues” > “Uncle John’s Band” > “Becky” > “Uncle John’s Band Reprise” > “Viola Lee Blues Reprise” section from The Cap on December 30: