Joe Russo’s Almost Dead closed out their 2023 touring schedule and ten-year anniversary with three blistering performances in Madison and Chicago over the weekend. A beautiful Wisconsin fall day greeted the band and fans for the opening night. From note one, the band was in complete control. Shifting between numerous musical genres and rhythms at the drop of a hat. No surprise. It’s been that way for several years.
As the band rolled through set one, a theme in the setlist started to appear. The band was reaching even deeper into its bottomless musical repertoire. Songs that see the light of day a couple of times a year were flowing non-stop. A spicy Alligator, along with Bob Weir’s Gonesville and the third performance of The Beatles I’ve Just Seen A Face were shining examples.
Russo and company had the gas pedal floored the rest of the night and weekend. After an Eyes of the World – Dancing in the Streets combo, it was back to the rarities with Kings Solomon’s Marbles – Silvio (or Sylvee-O)– Cream Puff War and ultra-rare Mission in the Rain to close out night one.
The festivities headed south to the Riviera Theater in Chicago for the final two nights. Like the previous night, the band created a furious energy from the get-go. Especially with explosive versions of Here Comes Sunshine and Playing in the Band. Both reaching a pace that required Russo to use all eight of his drumming tentacles to keep up. Scott Metzger tore through Bob Dylan’s Tell Me Mama and Tom Hamilton followed suit with Dire Straight’s Romeo and Juliet to continue the deep dive theme from night one.
The band was greeted with a heightened energy and curiosity as they took the stage for their final show of the year. It didn’t take long to transfer that energy into the music as they ended 2023 with one of its finest shows of the year. A three song combination of The Wheel – Till the Morning Comes – Jack Straw got the “wheels” rolling in set one.
The final set was a showcase of the synergy the five musicians who came together for a one off show at the Freaks Ball in 2013 have created over the last 300 plus concerts. Uncle John’s Band, Let It Grow, and a rare Black Peter ignited a Mrs. O’Leary’s cow-like spark that almost set Chicago on fire again. The Eleven sent the band into overdrive that continued into The Music Never Stopped which ventured back into Black Peter and then the Allman Brother’s Hot’ Lanta before the reprise. Tom Hamilton closed the set with a heartfelt, passionate, raging performance of Morning Dew that almost had him in tears afterwards.
Rolling into 2024, JRAD seems to have found the perfect groove. Playing forty shows a year keeps their fans satiated while allowing each band member plenty of time to pursue their other musical interests. JRAD kicks off their 2024 schedule with three shows at The Capitol Theater in January.
