Joe Russo’s Almost Dead headlined Stamford, CA’s famed Frost Amphitheater last night, marking their fourth appearance at the venue. The Grateful Dead performed at Frost 14 times in the 1980s and the spot has held special significance ever since. 

West Coast folk-rock act Fruit Bats opened last night’s show with a solo set and, at the end of JRAD”s set, the project’s principal Eric D. Johnson emerged for a take on the Pigpen R&B rave-up “The Stranger (Two Souls in Communion)” that was preceded by a bit of Beck’s “Where’s It At.”  Johnson, a Dead fan who has collaborated with Joe Russo in recent years, took part in a Phil Lesh & Friends lineup last fall. 

At the end of the night, Johnson returned to help JRAD through their debut take on the Led Zeppelin classic “The Song Remains the Same.” Though JRAD proper has not performed the song live, most of the members of the group have covered it with their Bustle in Your Hedgerow project.

JRAD will perform at Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre this evening. Johnson will open again with another solo Fruit Bats set.