Written by: Geoff Tischman

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead played a six-night residency at the Brooklyn Bowl and I caught the fourth gig (Oct 12).

The band’s Fall Ball run was completely sold out and the show I saw was also the 40th birthday for guitarist Scott Metzger, who was presented with a cake onstage by his girlfriend Katie Jacoby.

JRAD plays the music of the Dead with technical exactitude, but they also bring in an improvisational brilliance that gives each number a new spin.

They played two marvelous sets which included a killer take on “Throwing Stones” and a brilliant reading of “Help On The Way.” They also played a Radiohead cover (“The Bends”) as well as a Dylan number (“Tell Me, Momma”).

The Band:

Joe Russo – drums

Tom Hamilton  – Guitar & Vocals

Scott Metzger – Guitar & vocals

Dave Dreiwitz – Bass (bassist for WEEN)

Marco Benevento – keyboards

Katie Jacoby –  Electric Violin (http://katiejacoby.com/)

Set List:

Set 1: Throwing Stones, Jack Straw, Ramble On Rose, Weather Report Suite, Part 1 Instrumental, Black-Throated Wind, Scarlet Begonias, West L.A. Fadeaway

Set 2: Good Morning Little Schoolgirl, Help On The Way, Slipknot, The Bends, Estimated Prophet, Tennessee Jed, Truckin’, Tell Me, Momma