Joe Russo’s Almost Dead dropped by the Joy Theater in New Orleans for a very special run of Jazz Fest after shows this past weekend. The Grateful Dead tribute act–known for its high octane take on the legendary rock band’s songbook–performed with Dead & Company’s Jeff Chimenti on keys in place of usual keyboardist Marco Benevento.
Much like their Grateful Dead forefathers, the band delivered two sets of unbridled, highly improvisational rock each night. The first show’s second set even saw the group team up with violinist Katie Jacoby, who joined in for “Friend of the Devil,” “Not Fade Away” and a glorious “Terrapin Station” suite. Other highlights from night one included a ” “Help on the Way” > “Slipknot” combo that melted into “Viola Lee Blues,” as well as a “Fire on the Moment” that closed the show.
The second night brought classics like “China Cat Sunflower,” “I Know You Rider” (but, interestingly, not in that order), “Eyes of the World,” “Estimated Prophet,” “Brown-Eyed Women” and, of course, “One More Saturday Night.” Jeffrey Dupuis was on hand to capture some images of that second show.
All photos by Jeffrey Dupuis. Click here to view the full gallery on Flickr.
Photo by Jeffrey Dupuis.
