While Joe Russo’s Almost Dead has grown into a headlining act at festivals, theaters, and amphitheaters across the country, fans still look back fondly on the days when they served as the de facto local Grateful Dead cover band at New York’s Brooklyn Bowl.
Related: Remembering Joe Russo’s Almost Dead’s First-Ever Show At Brooklyn Bowl In 2013
On October 3rd, 2015, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead played the second show of a three-night run at Brooklyn Bowl. While the whole show was packed with highlights, fans are still singing the praises of one particular segment four years later: the Marco Benevento piano solo during “Fire On The Mountain”.
The jaw-dropping solo elicited an immediately notable reaction from both the audience and the musicians onstage. After Marco’s solo ended and the band moved into the song’s next verse, Tom Hamilton had to fight through roars of approval—and smiles of his own—to deliver his vocals. With the crowd still in hysterics by the time he finished the ensuing stanza, Hamilton adlibbed an appropriate lyric change: “Gave all you had, when you wanna Marco!”
When the song was finished, a dumbfounded Joe Russo echoed those sentiments: “Marco f—ing Benevento, Jesus Christ… Where did we even find this f—ing guy?”
While we usually stick to the detached third-person point of view, I feel it’s necessary here to insert some personal perspective here. As a Brooklyn resident and a patron of live music, I’ve seen countless bands create countless special moments at Brooklyn Bowl. That’s home court. But I’ve never seen or felt that place explode the way it did for that solo. The fact that it was my first JRAD show may leave me somewhat biased, but judging by the excitement with which fans still remember this moment years down the road, my rose-colored memories seem justified. It really was that special.
Feast your eyes and ears on the whole “Scarlet” > “Fire” from 10/3/15 below, or skip to 19:45 to hear the Marco Benevento solo:
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead – “Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain” – Brooklyn Bowl – 10/3/15
[Video: JoeRussos AlmostDead]
You can also listen to a full audio recording of the show below:
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead – Brooklyn Bowl – 10/3/15 – Full Audio
[Audio: McRoberts]
For a list of upcoming Joe Russo’s Almost Dead tour dates, head here.
Marco Benevento is also heading out on tour with his own band in support of his fantastic new record, Let It Slide. For a list of Marco’s upcoming tour dates, head here.