While Joe Russo’s Almost Dead has emerged as one of the best Grateful Dead tribute bands, the group regularly takes liberties with what falls into the Dead spectrum. Each of the band’s musicians has an enormous repertoire and technical proficiency, creating limitless possibilities for every Almost Dead performance. Last night, however, the band stuck mainly to the Grateful Dead catalog, focusing instead of unique transitions and song selections to win over the crowd at the Fillmore Philadelphia.
The show started with a big jam that wound into “Cumberland Blues,” and the first set stayed with the classics. It was the second set where the band started to explore, weaving “Slipknot!” into an array of songs that included “Feel Like A Stranger” and “Franklin’s Tower.” They also explored Radiohead’s “Myxomatosis” for the third time, but kept this version instrumental. Afterwards, they went back into “Slipknot!” again, before emerging with “Crazy Fingers”.
Watch Joe Russo’s Almost Dead perform “Crazy Fingers” below, courtesy of Gabrielle Cianfrani on YouTube.
The show closed with an encore of “Goin Down The Road Feelin’ Bad” which segued into the traditional, “We Bid You Good Night”. You can see a few more videos below.
Check out Joe Russo’s Almost Dead’s great jam on “Playin In The Band” below, courtesy of 215music.
Watch the jam into “The Wheel”, courtesy of Smoke Green.
A short clip from “Cumberland Blues”, courtesy of Rachel Molly.
The band will return next week, playing the House Of Blues Boston on December 2nd. It’s also worth mentioning that this performance featured Jon Shaw on the bass, as Dave Dreiwitz is currently in the middle of a three-night run with Ween at the Capitol Theatre. Dreiwitz will resume his low-end duties for all remaining 2016 performances.
Check out Joe Russo’s Almost Dead’s full setlist below, as annotated by manager Peter Costello and shared via the band’s Facebook.
Setlist: Joe Russo’s Almost Dead at The Fillmore Philadelphia, PA – 11/26/16
Set 1 (9:15PM – 10:40PM)
Jam ->
Cumberland Blues @ (All) >
Here Come Sunshine # (TH) ->
Casey Jones >
Mr Charlie (SM)
Marco Solo $ ->
The Wheel (All) ->
Morning Dew (TH)
Set 2 (11:10PM – 12:47AM)
Feel Like A Stranger (SM) ->
Slipknot! (End) ->
Franklins Tower (TH) ->
Slipknot! ->
Myxomatosis Jam % ->
Slipknot! ->
Crazy Fingers (TH) >
Estimated Prophet (SM) ->
Eyes Of The World & (TH) ->
Playing In The Band (SM)
E: GDTRFB -> (All)
WBYGN ending *
@ – With a “Hoedown” (Aaron Copeland) Tease (MB)
# – With a “Material Girl” (Madonna) Tease (MB), a Duo Jam & a China Cat Sunflower Tease (TH)
$ – Bunch of Teases & / or familiar themes in here, including probably a “Dear Prudence” (The Beatles) Tease. See what you can find.
There was a “Playin’ In the Band” Tease somewhere in the first set as well, tho neither I nor Joe could remember when after the show. Bonus points if someone can connect the dots on that one. Maybe in The Wheel?
% – Radiohead cover, 3rd time played, not sung
& – With a JS Bass Solo & Playin In The Band Tease (TH)
* – “Standard” Instrumental ending for GDTRFB, with a “Cold Rain & Snow” tease (TH)
As always, our sincerest thanks to all of you that came out & supported the band and to the staff & crew at the Fillmore for their amazing hospitality. We appreciate all of you & understand that we couldn’t do it without you. See you in Boston, which will sell out as well -so don’t sleep! Good night!