Musical Alchemy: Joe Russo’s Almost Dead Enchants The Anthem in Grateful Resonance

In a spellbinding display of musical alchemy, Joe Russo's Almost Dead (JRAD), the premier Grateful Dead cover band featuring the rhythmic mastery of Joe Russo on drums, the harmonious interplay of guitars by Tom Hamilton and Scott Metzger, the booming bass of Dave Dreiwitz, and the keyboard wizardry of Marco Benevento, enraptured The Anthem in Washington, DC, on November 18, 2023 with a magical night of improvisational music inspired by the Grateful Dead.

As the percussive opening notes of "Beat It on Down the Line" echoed through the venue, Joe Russo's drumming provided the rhythmic foundation for the alchemical transformation of sound about to occur. The ethereal grace of "Cats Under the Stars" showcased the harmonious convergence of Tom Hamilton and Scott Metzger's guitars, while Marco Benevento's keyboards added a layer of complexity to the sonic potion brewing on stage.

The alchemical process continued with the seamless integration of "Cumberland Blues," underscored by a tantalizing tease of "China Cat Sunflower," demonstrating JRAD's ability to transmute musical elements with finesse. "Truckin'," a perennial crowd-pleaser, unfolded with magnetic energy, a testament to the rhythmic magic Joe Russo applied to each percussive beat.

The contemplative interlude of "Wharf Rat" showcased the band's collective ability to navigate dynamic shifts, with Marco Benevento's keyboard accents contributing to the emotional resonance of the composition. Then Joe Russo led the band in singing "Box Of Rain," another Grateful Dead crowd-pleaser. The set reached its apotheosis with a poignant rendition of Jerry Garcia's "The Wheel," a culmination of the alchemical blend of musical elements that defined the first set.

The second set, inaugurated by the dueling vocals of "Jack Straw," set the tone for a sonic journey transcending temporal and stylistic boundaries. The exploration of Cannon's Jug Stompers' "Viola Lee Blues" revealed the alchemical collaboration between Tom Hamilton and Scott Metzger's guitars, Marco Benevento's keyboards, and Dave Dreiwitz's bass.

"Help on the Way" and "Slipknot!" unfolded with cinematic grandeur, with Joe Russo's percussive prowess propelling the compositions forward. The zenith of the evening manifested with the incendiary performance of "Shakedown Street" and an all-time-great "Throwing Stones"—a veritable musical explosion where Scott Metzger and Tom Hamilton's psychedelic guitar interplay reached new heights, and Marco Benevento's keyboard solos further elevated the jams' transformative complexity.

For the encore, Joe Russo's Almost Dead cast a final enchantment with "They Love Each Other," highlighting the emotive resonance of Tom Hamilton and Joe Russo's harmonized vocals. Concluding the evening with Bob Weir's "One More Saturday Night," JRAD, under the influence of Joe Russo's rhythmic alchemy, left an indelible imprint on the collective consciousness of those fortunate enough to be present.