To say that there was some serious energy at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY this past Saturday night for the Joe Russo’s Almost Dead show would be the understatement of the new millennium. The energy was palpable for this sold-out show featuring what could very well be one of the tightest units out there today. To call JRAD a “cover” band would be a disservice in so many ways. What Joe Russo, along with Marco Benevento, Tom Hamilton, Dave Dreiwitz, and Scott Metzger are doing with the expansive Grateful Dead catalog is quite literally turning it upside down and recreating each track they play. We’ve all heard the songs before, but JRAD takes them (some of which are 50+ years old) and quite literally reinvents the wheel.

A near 19-minute version of “Dancing in the Streets” got things off to a super funky groove right out of the gates, with special guest Nicole Atkins doing her very own Donna Jean Godcheaux on this special night at The Cap. The crowd couldn’t help themselves. It was as if we were a tea kettle coming to a slow boil, and once the lyrics of “They’re dancing in Chicago, Down in New Orleans, In New York City” were sung things popped, and everyone let loose in exultation. “Dire Wolf” slowed things down, which was probably a good thing, as people may have had heart attacks if JRAD kept up the pace from the “Dancing,” featuring some nice ivory work from Marco Benevento.

“Cassidy” brought Atkins back out to duet with Scott Metzger, who sounds eerily just like Bobby Weir. A super spacey jam brought out the weird we were looking for, and followed with a huge buildup back into the end of the tune. “St. Stephen” saw Tom Hamilton take the lead and shred his way through the song, as the jam leading back into the song could be best described as organized chaos of the most wonderful kind. We were even gifted a nice little Duo jam from Benevento and Russo, which begs the question of when will we see just the The Duo back on stage together? Nicole Atkins shined on “The Stranger (Two Souls in Communion)”, as she absolutely blew the crowd away with her vocal prowess. A pretty “Eyes of the World” had everyone in the house swaying back and forth, smiles abound. The first set ended with “Not Fade Away,” and honestly, the show could have ended here and nobody in The Cap would have complained. 

[Recording courtesy of Eric McRoberts and JRAD]

After a much needed libation, “The Music Never Stopped” opened the second set in strong fashion. A super mellow jam in the middle of the song once again led into a strong build-up; one thing that this group is incredible at is bringing the music out of such a serene and tranquil place and then all of a sudden turning things on their head and building things up to this almost frenetic pace, taking the crowd to an elated yet feverish state. It’s super impressive, and the group showcased that talent once again in the ensuing “King Solomon’s Marbles” which featured some great jazzy interplay between Russo and bassist Dave Dreiwitz, who is filthy, by the way. It’s like he is playing lead guitar on the bass, so much fun to watch.

“China Cat Sunflower” had what very well may have been the monster jam of the night that led into a stunning “The Eleven” featuring Tom Hamilton leading the charge. Hamilton is a guy that a lot of people in the scene have taken for granted for many years, but is now just beginning to get the credit he deserves. He can essentially play any style of music, take the lead when needed, sit back if that is what is being asked for, yet always finds a way to elevate the music in some way, shape, or form – and with a smile on his face at all times. “I Know You Rider” kept the energy at peak level with the crowd moving and shaking and everyone in attendance singing along in unison; rock n’ roll at its absolute finest. “Morning Dew” was melancholy yet powerful, as you simply closed your eyes and let the music move you, proving that the space in between the notes can be as commanding as the notes themselves.

Tom Hamilton Discusses JRAD, Grateful Dead, American Babies and The Life of a Working Musician

“One More Saturday Night” brought a fitting end to the Saturday night spectacle. As Metzger screamed with the final build, Russo had one of the biggest smiles of the night on his face (and there were a lot of them), even letting one of his own out after the song ended as he introduced the guitarist. “Ripple” served as the night’s encore, with Benevento on accordion, and with lyrics like “Reach out your hand if your cup be empty, If your cup is full may it be again, Let it be known there is a fountain, That was not made by the hands of men”, we were able to bear witness to that simple fact that this music was not just made by the hands of men such as Garcia, Weir, Lesh, Kreutzmann, Hart and company, but also through the inspiration of the wonders of life and the mysteries surrounding it, and such music has filled our empty cup many times over, and will do so again and again, in one form or another.

Plain and simple, JRAD is in the zone right now. This group, as a collective, is as strong as it gets; their connection to each other is very much Jedi-like. Witnessing the smiles on their faces as they were jamming, it’s clear that it is not just them having a good time playing together, but it’s also their uncanny ability to speak to non-verbally, through the music, catching subtle teases and jokes between one another that makes this project so special. It’s not just fun to listen to, but it’s fun to watch as well. To close this out properly, there is no other group playing the Dead’s music better than these guys. What JRAD is doing is inspired, reinvigorated, reinvented renditions of music that is clearly standing the test of time for both past, present and future generations to enjoy. Let us raise the offering….

 

All photos by Andrew Scott Blackstein – full gallery at the bottom

5.9.15 Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY

Set One
Dancing In The Streets @ (SM, NA)
Dire Wolf @ # * (TH)
Cassidy (SM, NA) >
St Stephen $ (All) >
The Stranger (Two Souls In Communion) @ (NA) >
Eyes Of The World % # (TH) >
Not Fade Away ^ # (All)

Set Two
Music Never Stopped (SM,NA)
King Solomon’s Marbles
China Cat Sunflower & (TH) >
The Eleven (TH JR) >
I Know You Rider # +(All)
Morning Dew (TH)
One More Saturday Night # (SM)

E:
Ripple # * = (TH)

(NA is Nicole Atkins, lead vocal)
@ First Time Played
# With Nicole Atkins (Background Vocals)
* With Scott Metzger on Pedal Steel – First Time playing it with Almost Dead
$ With Other One Teases / Jam (Band) & a “Duo Jam”
% With The Eleven Teases (TH & SM)
^ With Loose Lucy Teases (TH), a “Duo Jam” & China>Rider Transition Teases (MB)
& With Ruben & Cherise teases / Jams (Band), “Exodus” (Bob Marley) ++ Teases (TH) & “Footloose” (Kenny Loggins) Teases (TH)
+ With “Rock and Roll” (Led Zeppelin) Tease (JR)
= With Marco on accordion