Joe Russo's Almost Dead
All four band members: Marc Brownstein & Aron Magner (Disco Biscuits), Tom Hamilton (Joe Russo's Almost Dead), and Mike Greenfield (Lotus), all have busy schedules, but when they come together as one force, “Electron”, they are on point. With many years under their belt in the “jam world”, they feed off of their energy and their little non-verbal to create a sound of their own. Whether it be Magner tickling the ivories, or Hamilton shredding it on guitar, the foursome is always firing on all cylinders.
Ah. Summer festival season is coming to a close very soon but not without one more trip to Infinity Downs & Oak Ridge Farm in Arrington, Virginia.
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead took over Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre last Thursday, August 29th, igniting a monumental weekend of music throughout the Greater Denver Area. Attendees began their night socializing and connecting to fellow Deadheads in the lots, as others had their finger up looking for their miracles for this legendary sold-out show at Red Rocks.
It was a summer New England weekend at the site of the Marshfield Fairgrounds in Marshfield, MA. The 7th Levitate Music & Arts Festival was underway with some big names in rock, reggae, blues, and jam music. Not only does it bring great music, but it also brings great philanthropy and a homegrown vibe.
What is fair to say and what is hyperbole? Is it overstating things to say the Grateful Dead have become so much more than just their music? They define pieces of us. Times with friends. Discovery. They have become an institution reaching further than just recordings of their shows. But no matter what, for all of us, it still starts there; with the music. The music was and is a driving force in us. But since it has ended, and it has ended, what we are left with are new branches growing from roots sewn in the 60’s.
On Sunday be sure to wake up early to catch the barefooted, Keller Williams lead LOCKN in some Grateful Dead tunes with his “Grateful Gospel” group. If you’re looking for some soul, then St. Paul & The Broken Bones are the ticket at the 5:30 PM slot on The Main Stage. Closing out the seventh annual LOCKN Festival will be Bob Weir & The Wolf Bros. (Jay Lane & Don Was) featuring Susan Tedeschi & Mikaela Davis.
If you’re trying to solidify your plans for the summer music festival season, look no further. Levitate Music Festival at the Marshfield Fair Grounds in Marshfield MA has you covered, and it’s almost sold out! The surf shop and apparel line, Levitate, based out of Marshfield, started the festival back in 2013. it's grown to what it is today and will bring a healthy dose of soul, funk, jam, and reggae to the south east section of Massachusetts all weekend. Grateful Web will be there to cover the action!
“Tennessee Jed” was a raucous riot, as it indubitably should be. The instrumental breaks showcased JRAD’s proclivity for shaking fresh ideas out of well-worn material. Benevento dropped a stanky, Dr. John crossed with Dave Brubeck piano piece. Metzger and Dreiwitz slipped into a parallel, Bizarro “Jed.” The entire unit tilted and started to spin ecstatically. It was like putting a Ferris wheel on top of a roller coaster. JRAD increasingly infused the Dead’s material with their own creative energy. They weren’t out to simply play these cherished songs; they sought to possess them and make them their own.
The third day of Bonnaroo 2019 dawned bright and beautiful with a near perfect climate. Some young bleary-eyed EDM music fans were wearily returning to their campsites after an all-night dance party. Meanwhile, other festival goers were waking up to sunrise yoga sessions and organized runs. The smell of coffee and doughnuts baking lingered in Centeroo.
