Our Washington Megavacation kicked off with a Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD) live performance on the Kettlehouse Ampitheater close to Missoula. And OH! What a kick off it was!!! It was one of the crucial unimaginable Lifeless experiences I’ve had in current reminiscence*. Joe is a powerhouse of a band chief and has some exceptional musicians taking part in with him. These fellas had been on fireplace. Dwell music is such a blessing to my life. I cherish these moments on the dancefloor to a level that phrases cannot convey.
The group was wonderfully attentive, too, so it wasn’t simply me who was absolutely ensconced within the music. The shortage of background chatter was a cherry on high.
I did not get round to pulling up the concert recording till a few days in the past, on account of being on vacation and then sick instantly upon our return. My first thought once I lastly pulled up Archive was, “Solely six tracks?! That may’t be proper. Did the taper are available in late or…?”
Buuuuuuuuuuut, no! It actually was solely six tracks. Three first set, three second set.
JRAD was on stage for 3 hours and had been mainly jamming nonstop. The observe operating time displays that. There actually weren’t many pauses during which to make a break within the tracks.
After a really satisfying first set and far wanted set break, JRAD eased us again into the present with an eight minute “Golden Road,” earlier than launching into one steady cascade of music for the subsequent 83 minutes straight! 83 minutes! “Truckin” into “He’s Gone” into “Cassidy” into “House” then proper again into “Cassidy” earlier than constructing as much as “Terrapin Station” after which “Brokedown Palace.” And not using a pause. One jam into one other into one other into one other till, lastly, taking just a little break earlier than sending us out with a “Sugar Magnolia” nightcap at encore. With stunning dynamic stress the second set encompased a full specturm of feelings and humanity. Cassidy into Terrapin Station despatched my coronary heart hovering via the heavens! Our Deadhead pal, Sue, mentioned she “truly stopped respiratory,” throughout Terrapin and I can see why! It was actually breathtaking.
Gosh, that present was actually one thing. (Understatement of the Yr.) No surprise Matt and I had been so wound up once we received again to Chantz’s place afterwards!
Speak about time and cash well-spent. It was a wonderful approach to begin our travels west.
*And, for those who know me, that is actually a robust assertion. I imply, I noticed my beloved Phil Lesh play this summer time!
