If the first time this band took the stage two years ago on that fateful January night in 2013 at Brooklyn Bowl was any indication of what was to come in the future from Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, bets are that you still were underestimating the band. Even though expectation may have been high, what the band pulled off on Friday night (and probably Saturday as well) still would have exceeded them. While many in the crowd were waiting to hear typical Dead classics played by the phenomenal JRAD ensemble, such as “I Know You Rider,” a “Terrapin,” perhaps a “St. Stephen,” or even a “Shakedown,” the group decided to make a ballsy move and debut not a few, try rather fifteen debuts for the 15th Annual NYC Freaks Ball.
Coming straight out of the box with a fiery “Alabama Getaway” with Ween/Marco Benevento Trio bassist Dave Dreiwitz taking lead vocals, you knew right away that the show was going to bring the energy. As “Getaway” ended, JRAD went into a song that left many faces in the crowd puzzled, as the band broke out “Alice D. Millionaire,” a track that hadn’t even been played by the Dead since 1966. The highlight of the set was “Black Peter>Lost Sailor>Saint of Circumstance,” which proved you don’t have to play the hits to seriously elevate a room. The “Saint” built up to such a high peak that you needed to press your toes to the floor just to keep them on the ground. “Big Railroad Blues” ended the first set in rocking fashion, with the band relaying that message that they are telling no lies, and taking this gig quite seriously.
[Audience Recording from Eric McRoberts via Archive.org]
Opening the second set with “Feel Like a Stranger,” you would have sworn that you were listening to a young Bob Weir, as Scott Metzger proved once again that he can flat out play; how the guitarist has stayed under the radar for this long is beyond me. Not only has there always been a small cult in the greater NYC area for RANA (have to mention Wolf! as well), but he has played with the Stanton Moore Trio, and Anders Osborne‘s band. If you don’t know, you have now been told, and there are no more excuses for you. Every time I see him, I am utterly impressed.
The “Aiko/Aiko” served up a nice, old-school Benevento/Russo Duo jam – can we get a roll call for a Duo show anytime soon? (it’s been entirely too long) – that had many in the audience eating it up. Then there was the “Mississippi Half-Step>Sugar Magnolia>Sunshine Daydream”….yeah, that happened. It was here that Tom Hamilton let loose, showing his aptitude for the Grateful Dead catalog, and essentially leading the charge. Hamilton is another one that is now making more of a name for himself, after working his way through the ranks over the years with his acts such as American Babies, Electron, and Brothers Past (oh, and Bill Kreutmann’s most recent side project Billy & The Kids). “Mission in the Rain” ended the second set, and led to something that didn’t go unnoticed by this writer.
Now, hear me out….these guys just played their asses off on stage, and everyone in the crowd most certainly enjoyed themselves, but would it be remiss to ask some of you to put your hands together more than a few times to let the musicians know that you, not only appreciate what they just graced us with on stage, but that it would be great if we could have some more (pretty please with a cherry on top)? People are beginning to forget that encores aren’t owed to the audience, they are given when an artist feels the love back from fans wanting another serving. Just appears to be something taken for granted these days, that’s all. Can I finish? Can I finish? “They Loved Each Other” ended the night, and was rather apropos, given the aforementioned.
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead is, as a collective, a group of hard-working musician’s that have built the trajectory of their careers on years of hard work and dedication, setting a path that has led them to this point, and receiving the recognition that they truly deserve. The group played with Phil Lesh at The Capitol Theatre for what was an unforgettable New Year’s run on a grand stage, but what they proved on this Friday night was the culmination of instant magic that happened when they stepped on stage together for the first time as JRAD two years ago. Friday night, for certain, was their way of saying, “We won’t rely on the greatest hits like a set of training wheels.” On this first of two nights at the NYC Freaks ball, there were certainly no training wheels in the building. Well played, good sirs!
– Chris Meyer
[photos courtesy of Scott Harris Photography]
P.S. An honorable mention has to go out to DJ Cochon de Lait throwing down some epic funky jams before, during set break, and after JRAD. Kept the vibe going, and made it really tempting to stay warm in the Bowl while snow was swirling about on a cold, Friday night.
JRAD Friday 1/23/14 Brooklyn Bowl Setlist
Set One: Alabama Getaway, Alice D. Millionaire -> Greatest Story Ever Told, Black Peter -> Lost Sailor > Saint Of Circumstance, Big Railroad Blues
Set Two: Feel Like A Stranger, Stagger Lee -> Aiko Aiko, Mississippi Half-Step -> Sugar Magnolia > Sunshine Daydream, Mission In The Rain
Encore: They Love Each OtherÂ
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JRAD Saturday 1/24/2015 Brooklyn Bowl Setlist
Set 1: Alligator (S) > Jack A Roe (T) > Uncle John’s Band,Ophelia (S), Ramble On Rose (T), Only Daddy That’ll Walk The Line (S) > Bertha (T)
Set 2: Music Never Stopped (S) > Cumberland Blues (A), Help On The Way (T) > Slipknot! > Shakedown Street (T), Truckin (S) > Morning Dew (T)
Encore: Brown Eyed WomenÂ
[Audience Recording from Eric McRoberts via Archive.org]
Pictures from Night 2 (courtesy of Andrew Scott Blackstein):
 
 
