Earlier this month, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead hit their home venue, Brooklyn Bowl, for six shows in ten days, a residency that created a seemingly endless stream of memorable moments and impressive jams that left fans begging for more by the time all was said and done. Each night seemed to get better and better, as the band locked in and loosened up and took their fans for a wild ride through the Grateful Dead‘s catalog.
One particularly stand-out moment from the run came on its very first night, March 9th, 2017, which also happened to be the band’s 100th performance under the “Almost Dead” moniker. The band were in a festive mood, opening the night with “Beat It On Down The Line” and “Bertha” on their way to delivering two sets filled with Dead classics. They included a ridiculous “Mama Tried” -> “Help On The Way” -> “Slipknot!” -> “Throwin Stones Jam” -> “New Minglewood Blues” segment that rocked the Bowl to its core, as well as a raucous “Music Never Stopped” -> “Third Stone From The Stone” -> “Music Never Stopped Reprise” that blew the audience’s mind.
However, the true standout moment from the evening came near the end of the second frame, when Marco Benevento took the band to uncharted territories with a euphoric and energetic solo on “Jack Straw.” The band harnessed the energy he was creating and built the tension to epic proportions, as the crowd roared with approval. It was a classic JRAD at Brooklyn Bowl moment, something that could only happen with that band at that venue.
Thankfully, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead has released a pro-shot video of this version of “Jack Straw” for this week’s edition of “Rad Tracks,” and that video is embedded below for your viewing pleasure.
Don’t miss Joe Russo’s Almost Dead when they join Lettuce, The Floozies, The Motet, Manic Science (Break Science x Manic Focus), The Main Squeeze, and Organ Freeman, as well as artists-at-large Oteil Burbridge and Antwaun Stanley of the extended Vulfpeck family. [Buy Tickets]