Decorated guitarist, songwriter, and producer Eric Krasno was joined by eclectic drummer Joe Russo on the latest episode of his Plus One podcast via Osiris Media.
As the episode description notes, “Russo has been involved in many extraordinary musical ventures throughout his career- Furthur, Benevento/Russo Duo, and Shpongle to name a few- but he has gained monumental praise from jam band fans over the last 8 years for his sensational drumming in Joe Russo’s Almost Dead. JRAD takes the music of The Grateful Dead to new heights through deeply experimental improvisation and sky-brushing peaks, and Russo has been at the helm of the group since its inception.”
Related: Eric Krasno, Joe Russo, MonoNeon Debut (nO*sO*nO*) At Brooklyn Bowl [Audio/Video/Photo]
As the episode synopsis continues, “Over the last few years Russo has put out several new collections of music including his 2019 debut solo album Phér•bŏney, as well as a collaboration EP with Circles Around The Sun, several singles, and has performed with Shpongle for their farewell concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The rhythm guru has been busy, but quarantine has allowed him to spend time with his family, which he says he’s very much enjoyed. In this episode, Kraz and Russo engage in a wide-ranging discussion that covers the early days of the Benevento/Russo Duo, playing with Mike Gordon and Trey Anastasio of Phish, the formation of JRAD, his unconventional method of learning Dead songs, and much more.”
In the preview clip below, you can hear Russo speaking about the unassuming origins of Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (a one-off Bustle In Your Hedgerow show playing the music of the Dead) and explaining how he nearly offered up “Almost Dead” as a name for Furthur when that band initially formed.
Joe Russo Talks “Almost Dead” Origins
Listen to every episode of Eric Krasno Plus One here and stream the new episode featuring Joe Russo in its entirety below via Spotify and Apple Music.
Eric Krasno Plus One – Episode 43 – Joe Russo