2019/9/27 Joe Russo’s Almost Dead @ The Met Philly
Joy and energy, power and rage, sweat and vigor, and steps and steps and more steps, still. Just as night one was a love fest — my heart literally melted — night two was a masterclass in execution, planning, and improvisation that melted my face. Still floating on Thursday’s vibe, Friday was set to be a victory lap, a celebration of a celebration, if you will. Mission accomplished.
Driving down the Jersey Turnpike, after a day of reflection and love and sharing, I was thinking about what kind of show I wanted, what songs would tickle my fancy. JGB covers make me really, really happy, particularly the elusive Magnificent Sanctuary Band. I never said it out loud but I cosmically wished it and the universe delivered. Sometimes {often} I dream about writing my own setlist, you know, my perfect show. But even with karmic forces on my side, I lack the creativity to have come up with last night’s gem of exultation and unadulterated jubilation.
The groove was on early as the MSB was straight fire, a gift from the livemusicgods. Good Lovin’ is always a party and Scotty was in top form early, with prominent solos and, sho ‘nuff, a monster Bucket to follow. Not that the band goes as Scott goes, but when Metzger’s feeling it — watch out! And then, another karmic offering, one of my most favorite and least played songs, even as I write the beat is rolling around my head, New Speedway F’ing Boogie…yaaassssss! The interplay between all the band members on these two days was something to behold, but Dave and Scott’s little corner of heaven had a halo around it all night. Dave grabbed my hips early and never let go, making the GA pit feel like a dance floor at Studio 54 – hardcore boogie! So where do you go from there? Obviously you dust off a couple songs from the (almost) 2-year shelf, Dark Star (88 show gap) > LL Rain (161). Vintage. And if ya didn’t think 80s dead was your jam, enter Touch of Grey to lighten the mood and close the set with a sweat-soaked shirt. Literally wouldn’t change a thing with that set titled in my notes as, “The Scott and Dave Show.”
Always a blast to catch up with old friends and meet new ones during the breaks, especially when pC has the PA turned up for his Tom Petty mix, and still dancing as if Dave was still controlling my hips via remote control from the break room. I love the jams that open sets, you know the ones that could literally be anything until the moment they become something. Well, Jam > Mama Tried was just such an offering, and the Mama was ferocious given Scotty’s aforementioned prowess on this evening, perhaps one of my favorite versions of all time. And then it happened. The song that wouldn’t let go, written on the official setlist with a single entry but more accurately it was Cats -> everything, something a buddy pointed out may have been the boys still showing love for beloved and dearly missed Neal Casal. Definitely unplanned and off the grid {this, for me, is when the band is at its finest}, the liner notes should actually read (thank you pC who just published the boxscore as I’m typing):
Jam -> Mama Tried > Cats Under The Stars % -> I Know You Rider ^ -> Cats Under The Stars & ->
Casey Jones -> Cats Under The Stars Reprise * -> Mountain Jam -> Bertha > Throwing Stones > Lady With A Fan + -> Terrapin Station ++ -> Marco Solo -> Terrapin -> Terrapin Transit -> At a Siding -> Terrapin Flyer -> Refrain
Sweet Jesus. 102 minutes with nary a break before the encore. Teases from Pink Floyd and the Bangles and a full on Mountain Jam. This set was relentless and, along with the encore, set the single set record for Komito steps ™ in a set, 14,467 (6.85 miles assuming a stride length of 2.5 feet), a perfect storm of peak JRAD, the best neighbors, and plenty of space.
And just as it did earlier, my mind wandered…”what kind of encore would be the cherry on top of this perfect two-day run?” I actually vocalized this one to my buddy, “I’d love some more JGB, or even another band’s cover, what about The Band? I got it, The Weight!” This time the universe told me to fuck off and quit trying to play God as Joe took the stage and immediately quipped, as if reading my cosmic thoughts, “this one’s by the Grateful Dead, “ before launching into Sugar Mags. Absolutely fucking hysterical — and fun! — speaking of which, I can’t remember another show with a higher fun quotient. I feel all the feelings with this band {it’s how I got into Jerry and the boys way back when}, a veritable rainbow of emotions, yesterday’s emphasis on love and mutual respect, today’s fun and unbridled joy. An absolutely triumphant two-day run in the City of Brotherly Love, so fitting for this beautiful extended family, brothers (and sisters) one and all.
A Band Beyond Description, indeed!
23,685 steps (holyshit – a new single show record!).
