Joe Russo’s Almost Dead stopped by Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) for a late summer celebration of the music of the Grateful Dead on Thursday. JRAD’s first-ever performance at the historic outdoor amphitheater featured the band’s debut of the Smokey Robinson classic, “I Second That Emotion”.
The Joe Russo-led outfit stuck mostly to classic Dead staples throughout the night but kicked things off with the relatively obscure George Jones cover, “The Race Is On”. The band featuring Marco Benevento, Tom Hamilton, Scott Metzger, and Dave Dreiwitz then got the dance party started with a crowd-pleasing “Shakedown Street”, followed by an emotional “Row Jimmy” that flowed into another groovy dance tune, “Dancing in the Street”. JRAD extended the song to over 20 minutes, interpolating a reprise of “Shakedown Street” into the middle of the jam. The quintet finished the first set with “The Music Never Stopped” and one of the Dead’s more divisive hits, “Touch of Grey”.
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead – “Dancing in the Street” > “Shakedown Street” (Reprise) > “Dancing In the Street” – 8/25/22
[Video: monihampton]
Set two started strong with “Playing in the Band”, a time-tested vehicle for psychedelic improvisations that led into the band’s debut performance of “I Second That Emotion”, which served as a hit for Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross & the Supremes, and The Temptations all on Motown. A faithful interpretation of “Brown-Eyed Women” then gave way to the epic second movement of “Weather Report Suite”, “Let It Grow”, which broke down to “Space” before returning for a reprise. The band then took a moment for reflection, slowing things down with a cover of Bob Dylan‘s “When I Paint My Masterpiece”, and then wrapped up the second set with a ring of the bell in “Franklin’s Tower”.
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead – “I Second That Emotion”, “Brown Eyed Women” – 8/25/22
[Video: monihampton]
After rolling away the dew, JRAD exited the SPAC stage and returned after a brief encore break to cap the night off with “I Know You Rider”.
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead – “I Know You Rider” – 8/25/22
[Video: Matthew Phoenix]
Check out a gallery of photos from Joe Russo’s Almost Dead at SPAC courtesy of photographer Jordan Eisman below.
Following the band’s debut performance at SPAC, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead played two consecutive nights at Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston, MA on Friday and Saturday. The band’s highly anticipated set at the inaugural Sacred Rose in Bridgeview, IL was canceled on Sunday due to inclement weather, but the band announced a three-night run in Chicago the following day, which will take place at The Riviera Theatre on December 2nd–4th.
A band Facebook pre-sale will begin tomorrow, Tuesday, August 30th, at 12 p.m. ET. The password for the band’s Facebook presale will be posted on its Facebook page. There will also be a venue pre-sale the same day (8/30) at 3 p.m. ET. Tickets will then go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, August 31st at 12 p.m. ET.
Visit Joe Russo’s Almost Dead’s website for a full list of upcoming tour dates and to purchase tickets.
Sestlist: Joe Russo’s Almost Dead | Saratoga Performing Arts Center | Saratoga Springs, NY | 8/25/22
Set One: The Race Is On (George Jones), Shakedown Street, Row Jimmy, Dancing in the Street > Shakedown Street (Reprise) > Dancing In the Street > The Music Never Stopped, Touch of Grey
Set Two: Playing in the Band, I Second That Emotion (Smokey Robinson & The Miracles), Brown-Eyed Women, Let It Grow, Space, Let It Grow (Reprise), When I Paint My Masterpiece (Bob Dylan), Franklin’s Tower
Encore: I Know You Rider
The post Joe Russo’s Almost Dead Seconds That Emotion At SPAC Debut [Photos/Videos] appeared first on L4LM.
