Joe Russo's Almost Dead at the Ryman

Jan. 14, 2017

Nashville, TN

Story By Butch Worrell of One Heart Photo

Photos By Butch Worrell of One Heart Photo

Joe Russo's Almost Dead (or JRAD) made their first visit to the Ryman Auditorium and proceeded to”tear this old building down” in true deadhead fashion. JRAD, a self confessed “Dead” cover band, consists of Joe Russo , Marco Benevento, Dave Dreiwitz, Scott Metzger, and Tom Hamilton and were joined by Nashville's own Nicole Atkins on vocals.

Seldom does the Ryman host such a show as this where the the music rock and rolls the building down to it's foundations. Both JRAD and its host of deadicated fans took control of the evening. The ushers and security, normally sticklers for the rules, evidently gave up at the get go to the on their feet, dancing even in the aisles, fans. Of course it was all JRAD's fault, for who can sit in their seat when this steamroller of a band starts of with a power house “Truckin” and never lets up for 3 and a half hours (with a short set break), concluding with a Monster “Terrapin” that totally brought the house down before the GDTRFB encore. (More below) 

 And Nicole Atkins!!! A Jersey girl, transplanted in Music City, who had sat in before with JRAD came out in the first set for a 70's style Music>Dancing that had the audience cheering for more. And more they did get, a rendition of “Stranger/Two Souls”, a never studio recorded song written by “Pigpen” (Ron McKernin) and played only for a short while in 72 and which some say was inspired by his love for Janis Joplin. And how Nicole made this song her own, giving a soulful delivery that while pure Nicole, invocated the spirit of Janis, perhaps the high point of the evening.

The setlist, courtesy of JRAD , is posted below. Also posted are links to both JRAD's and Nicoles's sites.

Set 1 (7:51PM - 9:08PM)
Truckin' (SM) ->
Tennessee Jed @ (TH) ->
The Music Never Stopped (SM & NA)>
Dancing In The Streets # (SM & NA) ->
Brown Eyed Women (TH)

Set 2 (9:47PM - 11:30PM)
Help On The Way (TH) ->
Slipknot! $ ->
Throwing Stones % (SM) ->
Dark Star Jam ^ ->
Throwing Stones Reprise (SM)
The Stranger (Two Souls) (NA) >
Let It Grow & (SM) ->
He's Gone (All) >
Terrapin Station * (TH)

ENC: GDTRFB (All with NA) ->
WBYGN (Instrumental ending)

http://www.joerussosalmostdead.com/

https://www.facebook.com/JRAlmostDead/

https://www.facebook.com/NicoleAtkinsOfficial/