Never miss a Sunday show. These words of wisdom are shared amongst jam band fans. Last night, the proverb lived up to its name as Joe Russo’s Almost Dead closed out a three-night run at the Westville Music Bowl in New Haven, CT on Memorial Day Weekend. There was nothing dry or warm about the conditions at this former outdoor tennis stadium, which only added fuel to the fire.

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead took the stage in New Haven, Connecticut on May 29th, 2021 for the second night of a sold out run at the brand-new Westville Music Bowl, and left fans feeling that euphoric feeling they had forgotten in the fifteen months since their last live show because of the Covid pandemic. This was all despite a furious wind, unseasonably cool temperatures and rain on Memorial Day weekend.

Psychedelic Sangha has announced 'Sounds from the Bardo, Vol. II (Live from Judson Memorial Church) featuring the first (and currently only) recording of the fully improvised trio of Tony Leone (percussion), Scott Metzger (guitar) and Jeff Hill (bass)—to be released exclusively via Bandcamp on Friday, February 5. Recorded live in New York City on November 10, 2020, the multi-media collection also includes guided meditations by Jessica Angima and video of the full length original light show produced by Bubba Ayoub.

Over the past few weeks, a sublime musical connection went on tour, hitting a series stages throughout the northeast: Psychedelic groove band Circles Around The Sun performing with lead guitarist Scott Metzger. This past weekend, the foursome took the show to none other than Ardmore Music Hall, where they played to a packed, super receptive crowd, playing one of their best showings yet.

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.

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.

“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 music began early on the final day of the Skull and Roses Festival in Ventura. A hot offshore wind heated up the day by the time the drum circle started at 10 am. Overhead waves from a late spring storm exploded across Ventura point buffeted by the strong sideshow winds sending long plumes of salt spray high int the air. The strong winds stirred up a cloud of dust that helped turn the sunny day into an eerie orange haze.

Jam scene visionaries Joe Russo’s Almost Dead are underway on their current 2019 winter tour, and this past week performed at Penn’s Peak in Jim Thorpe, PA, the following night at College Street Music Hall in New Haven, CT, and last night at The Wellmont Theatre in Montclair, NJ.