Photo credit: Michael DiDonna

On Friday, May 3, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead turned up for their second of three nights in New Orleans, performing at The Crescent City’s Fillmore venue. While at a glance, the concert might have functioned as a standard affair, the first and second set moments denoted the essence of specialty flair, which arrived in the form of debut “Fire and Brimstone” and later guest additions, members of Russo’s other project, Selcouth Quartet, featuring Jon Shaw, Jonathan Goldberger, and Stuart Bogie, who added to a trio of Grateful Dead classics. 

A multi-minute instrumental jam opened the night and merged into “Foolish Heart” before the onslaught of “New Minglewood Blues.” After coming to a complete stop, the band resumed the evening’s initial frame on fan favorite “Scarlet Begonias,” which ran into sister tunes “I Know You Rider” and “China Cat Sunflower.” Strategically, the Joe Russo’s Almost Dead inserted the cover of Link Wray’s “Fire and Brimstone” next, adding it to their live repertoire for the first time. 

Rather than pause, the artists converged into “Viola Lee Blues.” Upon returning after the set break, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead resumed the tradition of performing coveted classics. Jerry Garcia’s Cats Under the Stars favorite, “Reuben and Cherise,” paired with the politically infused “Throwing Stones,” before the headliners welcomed guests/ members of Russo’s Selcouth Quartet. 

With some added accompaniment, the packed house was treated to layered renditions of “Mississippi Half Step Uptown Toodeloo,” The Other One,” and “Blues for Allah.” Notably, Shaw has been a touring member of Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, while Bogie is a frequent guest for the band. Goldberger performed once with the group in 2019 at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, N.Y., when his Red Baraat project played a show at neighboring Garcia’s. 

After the guests exited the stage, the main act picked up the final song of the second set, a full display of stunner “Terrapin Station.” The group returned for the night’s encore, cutting into Steppenwolf’s “Werewolves of London,” a common cover through the Dead’s history, particularly during Halloween celebrations. 

Click here to view and listen to select Joe Russo’s Almost Dead’s live captures from Friday night’s performance.

To boot, Selcouth Quartet announced solo shows today, learn more below.