Joe Russo’s Almost Dead returned to the majestic Met Philadelphia on Friday for a Veteran’s Day concert at the ornate Pennsylvania opera house. The Metropolitan was a hub of activity over the weekend, with Billy Strings checking in after JRAD for a two-night stay.
Rather than opening up with an ambient jam, as is customary, JRAD dove straight into “Althea”. Tom Hamilton took the lead on the classic Jerry Garcia ballad, shredding it to pieces before pulling back on the throttle midway through, taking the band out into space. A gentle reprise brought the song back around for its logical conclusion before bandleader Joe Russo pounded out the triumphant opening to the lesser-loved mid-’80s Bob Weir number, “My Brother Esau”.
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead – “Althea” [Pro-Shot] – 11/11/22
Scott Metzger made believers out of the song’s detractors by belting out the lyrics ahead of an equally impactful solo that also saw delicate interplay with keyboardist Marco Benevento. The centerpiece of the first set arrived with a pairing of “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo” and “Truckin'” that ate up more than half an hour. “Brown Eyed Women” closed the set, with Benevento’s boogie-woogie grand piano setting the crowd ablaze on the chilly Pennsylvania night.
“Let It Grow” would serve as the focal point of the second set, with JRAD anchoring the first half of the frame around the Grateful Dead composition as opulent as the Philadelphia theater itself. The band began set two with an instrumental jam around “Let It Grow”—though without playing the song directly—before taking a southern swing through “Tennessee Jed”. The music never stopped, however, with the ensemble segueing into a full-blown “Let It Grow”.
JRAD had more tricks up its sleeves, teasing fans with a “Morning Dew” jam but not fully committing to the song, instead transitioning back into “Let It Grow” and finally “Uncle John’s Band” to complete an hour-long stream of uninterrupted music. The group then borrowed from the Allman Brothers Band catalog for “In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed” before closing with “Throwing Stones”.
Taking The Met stage one more time, Tom Hamilton led Joe Russo’s Almost Dead through a graceful “Stella Blue” to close the show. Check out image galleries from Friday’s concert courtesy of photographers Andrew Blackstein and Bolt of Sunshine, as well as some fan-shot videos and audio thanks to taper Rich Stoler.
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead – The Met Philadelphia – Philadelphia, PA – 11/11/22
Setlist: Joe Russo’s Almost Dead | The Met Philadelphia | Philadelphia, PA | 11/11/22
Set One: Althea, My Brother Esau, Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo > Truckin’, Brown Eyed Women
Set Two: Let It Grow Jam > Tennessee Jed > Let It Grow > Morning Dew Jam > Let It Grow > Uncle John’s Band, In Memory of Elizabeth Reed, Throwing Stones
Encore: Stella Blue
