The Deadpod

This week's Deadpod, featuring the second set from the band's performance on January 2nd, 1972 features Pigpen giving us a fantastic Good Lovin' to open the set in his next to last Bay Area performance. The band really cooks behind him on this one, I'm sure you'll enjoy this. The rest of the set is quite good as well, and what the set lacks in length it does make up for in quality. While the Not Fade Away->Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad->Not Fade Away is not as unusual as the Good Lovin' ->China Cat Sunflower->Good Lovin' to open the set it is almost as excellent. This is a harbinger of what will be one of the most outstanding years in the band's history. Winterland Arena, San Francisco, CA (1/2/72) set 2 Good Lovin' China Cat Sunflower I Know You Rider Good Lovin' Ramble On Rose Sugar Magnolia Not Fade Away Goin' Down the Road Feeling Bad Not Fade Away One More Saturday Night You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod011317.mp3 I'm thankful for your support that allows me to continue to publish the Deadpod. Stay warm and dry.. love one another.

For the first Deadpod of 2017, I decided to go back to the first show of 1972.. January 2nd, 1972.. As Bill Graham says in his introduction 'there aren't many groups that would get us to come out on January 2nd'.. but I bet the folks who came out on this night were glad they did as they turn in a sparkling performance, highlighted, for me, by some great work by Pigpen. At the beginning of what will be a monumental year in Dead history, the band brings us a ripping first set which we are fortunate to have in a great soundboard recording. Mr. Charlie, Jack Straw, Big Railroad Blues and Next Time You See Me are just a few of the highlights here. Playing in the Band is here as a first set number; it hadn't yet developed into the monster jam vehicle it would become later in the  year, but still nicely played. I'll bring us set 2 next week.. Winterland Arena, San Francisco, CA (1/2/72) Truckin' Sugaree Mr. Charlie Beat it on Down the Line Loser Jack Straw Chinatown Shuffle Tennessee Jed El Paso You Win Again Big Railroad Blues Mexicali Blues Playing in the Band Next Time You See Me Brown Eyed Women Casey Jones You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod010617.mp3 Thanks for your kind support of the Deadpod! For everyone, like me, in the midst of Winter - stay warm!

Happy New Year! As we look to put 2016 behind us, I decided to bring you a fine New Year's Eve performance from December 31st, 1989.  With a show like this I couldn't just bring you a first set so we have the entire performance this week. Naturally this performance has some special moments, as well as some quirks. They open wiht Sugar Magnolia - instead of saving it for the first sone of the new year. Touch follows, then a bouncy 'Man Smart'.. Bonnie Raitt joins the boys for 'Big Boss Man', very nicely done. Weir does a nice version of  'Memphis Blues Again' and the first set ends with a great 'Shakedown Street'. Bill Graham makes his entrance at midnight as a chicken ..and after the countdown the boys do a great Iko, Iko to usher in the new decade. They move the proceedings in a more psychedelic direction with 'Victim or the Crime'. Victim then dissolves into the swirl of Dark Star, which was still a huge rarity and while short, certainly was sweet. Drums and Space follows, then they go into the 'Dear Mr. Fantasy -Hey Jude' combo. They then turn to some rocking tunes to end the set with a 'Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad' into 'Throwing Stones' and then 'Not Fade Away'.. They return for a very nice set of encores.. Brokedown Palace leading into the closing Sunshine Daydream.. then return for a second encore with 'In The Midnight Hour' to close a long and happy show.. Oakland Coliseum, Oakland CA (12/31/89) Sugar Magnolia Touch of Grey Man Smart/Woman Smarter Big Boss Man Stuck Inside of Mobile Shakedown Street Iko Iko Victim or the Crime Dark Star drums Dear Mr. Fantasy Hey Jude Reprise Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad Throwin' Stones Not Fade Away Brokedown Palace Sunshine Daydream Midnight Hour You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod123016.mp3 I hope the music brings you some joy and light, as it does me, no matter what life throws at us. Thanks for your support and have a safe and very happy New Year! 

Merry Christmas .. Happy Hanukkah This year's holiday edition of the Deadpod features one of the best acoustic performances of 1970. This takes place at the Fillmore East in New York City on September 20th, 1970. The acoustic set, which we present today, is not only a fine performance but also a fine recording. David Grisman plays mandolin on 'Friend of the Devil' and David Nelson joins with another mandolin on a slow soulful,  'Big Railroad Blues', both continue through Ripple. There is some speculation that Jerry plays piano on 'To Lay Me Down', clearly a wonderful highlight here. Nelson and Grisman are back with mandolins on a fine  Rosalie McFall, following a rare acoustic 'Truckin'. I love  'Cumberland Blues' here.. but then again I usually love this song.. Jerry plays an electic during 'New Speedway' but the vibe is very acoustic. 'Brokedown Palace' provides a fitting conclusion to the set.. Following, I decided to feature one more cut from Holly Bowling's beautiful work 'Better Left Unsung'.. this is 'Eyes of the World (Louisville KY 61874).. it speaks for itself.. Grateful Dead Fillmore East New York, NY 9/20/70 - Sunday One - 1:02:46 Intro [0:03] ; Uncle John's Band [6:47] % Deep Elem Blues [5:51] % Friend Of The Devil [3:32] % Big Railroad Blues [3:14] % Dark Hollow [2:56] % Ripple [4:20] % To Lay Me Down [5:12] % Truckin' [5:35]%[0:12] ; Rosalie McFall [2:24] % Cumberland Blues [5:04] % New Speedway Boogie [9:31] % Brokedown Palace [5:13] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod122316.mp3 My most sincere hope that all of my friends here have a very healthy and happy Holiday... thanks for your support........... the professor

This week the Deadpod presents the second set of the band's performance from the Felt Forum at Madison Square Garden on December 7th, 1971. A fine performance and recording here.. not one marked by any long jams.. nevertheless a great representation of the band as it heads into one of their peak years - 1972. Strong performances by Pigpen - especially on 'Smokestack Lightnin'.. I'm willing to bet you'll dig the ending of this set as well :) Grateful Dead Felt Forum - Madison Square Garden New York, NY  12/7/71 - Tuesday Two Sugar Magnolia ; Ramble On Rose ; Big Boss Man ; Mexicali Blues ; Brown Eyed Women ; Me And My Uncle ; Smokestack Lightnin' ; Deal ; Truckin' ; Not Fade Away > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > Not Fade Away Encore One More Saturday Night You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod121616.mp3 My thanks to my kind friends whose donations have kept the Deadpod alive this year!! Have a great week - see you back here for the Christmas show next friday..

As we head into December I decided to bring you one of the classic December '71 shows from the Felt Forum, Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY. This week's show comes from 12/7/71 ... While I featured the classic from 12/5 a few years back I think you'll enjoy this one as well. This is an early Keith show, but Pigpen is here as well and does a fine rendition of 'Run Rudolph, Run' to get you in that Holiday spirit :) While none of these songs may go off into extended jams I am certain you'll appreciate the musicianship they show in each and every one.. Grateful Dead Felt Forum - Madison Square Garden New York, NY 12/7/71 - Tuesday One Cold Rain And Snow ; Beat It On Down The Line ; Mr. Charlie ; Sugaree ; Jack Straw ; Next Time You See Me ; Tennessee Jed ; El Paso ; Brokedown Palace ; Run Rudolph Run ; You Win Again ; Cumberland Blues ; Casey Jones You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod120916.mp3 Finally I decided to play a wonderful piece from a brand new release that just came out from Holly Bowling. Enjoy her version of 'Unbroken Chain'.. her CD or Album is available from Royal Potato Family records here: http://royalpotatofamily.com/product/holly-bowling-better-left-unsung/ or from Amazon Thanks so much for your support of the Deadpod!!!

This week the Deadpod returns to the second set of the band's performance in Oklahoma City Oklahoma on November 14th, 1972. I think you'll enjoy their performance here as they bring the crowd well executed versions of some great songs. The highlight of this 1hour 41 minute set is probably the 'He's Gone'->'Truckin'->'The Other One'->'Sing Me Back Home' combination that occurs in the middle of set 2. Listen closely and you'll hear some interesting interplay as they try to decide which song to go into next. I think you'll enjoy the unique 'Uncle John's Band' as well.. Grateful Dead Oklahoma City Music Hall Oklahoma City, OK 11/14/72 - Tuesday Two Greatest Story Ever Told [5:15] ; Brown Eyed Women [4:12] ; Me And My Uncle [2:58]  ; Deal [4:26] ; Me And Bobby McGee ; He's Gone [15:18] > Truckin' [8:25] > The Other One [15:57] > Sing Me Back Home [9:57] ; Sugar Magnolia ; Uncle John's Band ; One More Saturday Night You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod120216.mp3 My sincere thanks to those kind folks whose support makes the Deadpod possible.. and to each of you who enjoy listening!

Happy Thanksgiving my friends! If  you've listened to the Deadpod for awhile you know I enjoy bringing you acoustic music around the holidays - this year is no different and I think I've got an excellent show lined up for you. First off, one of the famous acoustic shows form the fall of 1980, this comes to us from the Warfield in San Francisco on October 4th, 1980. There's not a bad song in this set.. but some of my favorites are the 'Race Is On', 'It Must Have Been The Roses', 'Dark Hollow' and 'To Lay Me Down'.. the set-ending 'Ripple' still brings chills.. Following this wonderful set, we have a marvelous performance of the complete Terrapin Suite from some great musicians honoring the Dead tradition today - Joe Russo's Almost Dead. A little over a month ago they performed an acoustic Terrapin Station that surely deserves to be heard. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have..... Grateful Dead Warfield Theatre San Francisco, CA 10/4/80 - Saturday One Deep Elem Blues [4:13] ; The Race Is On [2:53] ; It Must Have Been The Roses [5:48] ; Monkey And The Engineer [2:48] ; Rosalie McFall [3:06] ; Dark Hollow [3:13] ; To Lay Me Down [8:34] ; On The Road Again ; Oh Babe It Ain't No Lie [5:34] ; Ripple [4:30] Joe Russo's Almost Dead Brooklyn Bowl, Brooklyn NY 10/7/16 Terrapin Station Suite (Acoustic) You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod112516.mp3 I'm grateful to all of my friends who listen to the Deadpod each week and allow me the chance to spread the light and love contained within. thank you .. -the professor

Here's a top-notch show from the Fall of 1972 to start off your Thanksgiving week right.. this is from 11/14/72, Oklahoma City Oklahoma.. I consider this a very well played 16 song first set.. After an opening 'Promised Land' Garcia gives us a slow, rolling 'Sugaree'.  After the 'El Paso' that follows we get 'Loser' - a personal favorite of mine and a perfect song for the western setting.. the set is full of favorites from the GD catalog.. Bertha, Tennessee Jed, and a smart China->Rider with a smoking transition. Garcia's notes lift us up as we move into that Rider. Box of Rain follows, then he band rocks it out with a quadruple serving of rocking standards - Beat It on Down the Line, a bouncy up-tempo 'Friend of the Devil', 'Around and Around' and the archetypical warning to Casey to watch his speed... Grateful Dead Oklahoma City Music Hall Oklahoma City, OK Date 11/14/72 - Tuesday One The Promised Land [2:56] ; Sugaree [7:41] ; El Paso [4:18] ; Loser [5:#58] ; Black Throated Wind [6:52] ; Bertha [5:49] ; Mexicali Blues [3:#10] ; Tennessee Jed [7:28] ; Big River [4:16] ; China Cat Sunflower [7:09] > I Know You Rider [5:05] Box Of Rain [4:50] ; Beat It On Down The Line [3:12] Friend Of The Devil [3:26] ; Around And Around [3:#09] ; Casey Jones [6:21] There are some occasional sonic imperfections here, and a few cuts, but I hope you find this a pleasure to listen to as you get ready for the big holiday next week. You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod111816.mp3 Be kind to yourself - Be kind to each other I am blessed to be able to bring you this music. Thank you for making it possible my friends.

Well in some ways I guess this one is appropriate this week.... The second set from Nov. 8th, 1985 has some great highs and some lows. It starts with a version of 'Revolution' with some nice jams but Garcias stepping all over the lyrics ;) Estimated Prophet follows with an excellent jam, especially as it goes into a less than stellar 'Eyes of the World'. Drums and Space follow and then a nice 'Other One' into a short 'I Need A Miracle'. The highlight of the set, if not the show follows, with a wonderful version of Dylan's 'She Belongs To Me'. They close the set with a spirited 'Sugar Magnolia' and return for an encore of the Stone's 'I Can't Get No Satisfaction'.. Grateful Dead Community War Memorial Auditorium Rochester, NY  11/8/85 - Friday  Two  Revolution ; Estimated Prophet-> Eyes Of The World -> Drums -> Space -> The Other One -> I Need A Miracle-> She Belongs To Me -> Sugar Magnolia Encore (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod111116.mp3 My sincere thanks to the kind folks whose support allows me to keep publishing the Deadpod!! Be Strong and love one another!

This week, on the eve of the election, I decided to bring you what I consider to be a really fun show from the fall of 1985. This comes to us from Rochester New York on November 8th, 1985. The boys are really loose and having fun and deliver a really good (if uneven) performance. We have a nice sounding recording to share, and I think you'll find the first set quite entertaining this week. This one starts with a rockin' Iko, Iko, into a down and dirty 'Little Red Rooster'.  Garcia provides a nice reading of  'Peggy O'; 'My Brother Esau' and 'Brown Eyed Women' follow, then the band performs an excellent version of 'Baby What You Want Me To Do' with Brett and Bobby trading verses on what would be the Dead's last performance of this tune. A frantic 'Jack Straw' follows and leads into a fun 'Might as Well' to close this first set.. (these two from an audience recording, by the way). Grateful Dead Community War Memorial Auditorium Rochester, NY 11/8/85 - Friday One Iko Iko ; Little Red Rooster ; Peggy-O ; My Brother Esau ; Brown Eyed Women ; Baby What You Want Me To Do ; Jack Straw > Might As Well You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod110416.mp3 Thank you to all my friends whose support of the Deadpod allows us to keep rollin'.. Till next week, be kind and let's hope for the best :)

Happy Halloween! Always a favorite among Deadheads, while Halloween doesn't happen until Monday I thought it only appropriate to share one of the classic Halloween performances with you this week. This set is one of two the band played on Halloween, 1970 from the gym at the State  University of New  York at Stoney Brook. A fine show, as most are from this era, it starts with quite a rare treat - 'Till the Morning Comes' - sadly they don't do the very best with this, but  then we get a great 'Hard To Handle'. The China->Rider is especially enjoyable (although marred with a nasty cut at the end ). Some of the other highlights include an electric 'Dark Hollow', a nicely done 'Brokedown Palace' and the very last performance of 'Viola Lee Blues'. This is far from the best version of this, but it is interesting to see them go into 'Cumberland Blues' out of it. This is raw Dead, not polished, not the best performance of this classic year, and probably not the best recording of this year that one can find, yet I think its great fun to hear and hope you do as well... Grateful Dead University Gymnasium - State University of New York Stony Brook, NY 10/31/70a - Saturday Early Show Till The Morning Comes [3:24];[0:31] ; Hard To Handle [7:53];[0:45] ; Mama Tried [2:28];[0:35] ; China Cat Sunflower [2:55] > Jam [1:56] > I Know You Rider [3:11#] % Dire Wolf [3:47];[0:39] ; Cold Rain And Snow [6:06];[0:33] ; Me And My Uncle [3:19];[0:35] ; Dark Hollow [2:53];[0:41] ; Brokedown Palace [5:11];[0:29] ; Viola Lee Blues [9:00] > Cumberland Blues [4:16] > Uncle John's Band [5:48] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod102816.mp3 Have a fun and safe holiday!! My heartfelt thanks to my friends whose contributions make the Deadpod possible!!

This week's Deadpod features the second set from October 15th, 1976 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA. I think this set has several very interesting moments. The first is the fine transition from the opening 'Eyes of the World' to 'The Music Never Stopped'. This was a the only time they ever played these two in this order, but I wonder why when listening to this performance. A long He's Gone leads into a short drums but then a mighty 'Other One'. The 'Comes A Time' that follows is one of the best, and probably the highlight of the set. A great 'Franklin's Tower->Sugar Magnolia' which closes the set is marred a bit by the fact that we only have the audience tape here. I hope you enjoy this performance from the Fall of 1976.. Grateful Dead Shrine Auditorium Los Angeles, CA 10/15/76 - Friday Two Eyes Of The World [10:05] > The Music Never Stopped [5:54] ; It Must Have Been The Roses [6:26] % Samson And Delilah [6:40] % He's Gone [14:30] > Drums [5:12] > The Other One [13:27] > Comes A Time [10:08] > Franklin's Tower [12:22] > Sugar Magnolia [8:24] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod102116.mp3 My thanks for your support of the Deadpod.

How about a show this week from 40 years ago out in Southern California? The boys' first trip back since their 'retirement' found them playing a pair of shows in L.A. at the Shrine Auditorium. Despite some heavy handed law enforcement, they delivered a solid performance, especially here on the 2nd night - October 15th, 1976. The first set which we feature this week, starts off with a surprisingly good 'Might As Well' - I especially enjoyed the ending jams! The set is consistently well played. I always love 'Loser' - Jerry's guitar has that plaintive wail that is just perfect. I also enjoyed Keith's piano throughout. 'Bertha' has an interesting pacing. 'Lazy Lightning->Supplication'  is well played with some very nice licks especially in the transition and Jerry follows with a smokin' 'Sugaree' which is probably the highlight of this first set. They close with a nice 'Promised Land'.. Grateful Dead Shrine Auditorium Los Angeles, CA 10/15/76 - Friday One Might As Well [5:58] % Mama Tried [2:36] % Row Jimmy [8:43] % It's All Over Now [5:50] % Loser [6:55] % New Minglewood Blues [4:55] % Bertha [6:09] % Lazy Lightnin' [3:18] > Supplication [5:37] % Sugaree [10:23] ; The Promised Land [3:59] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod101416.mp3 There are some audience patches here, but I don't believe they detract too much from the overall experience.. Thanks so much to the kind folks whose financial support makes the Deadpod possible. I hope you can enjoy the beauty of the world in this season of change.

A real classic recording of some outstanding good ol' Grateful Dead this week, as we enjoy the band's performance on June 27th, 1969 at Veterans Auditorium in Santa Rosa California. This is one long set, as there were several bands on the bill this night and we get to hear some of the first performances of several songs destined to become classics. Slewfoot - the opening number wasn't one of those, but this is likely to be something you've never heard before - an old Johnny Horton number, with Jerry on Pedal Steel (he would also be on pedal steel guitar on Dire Wolf and Green Green Grass of Home on this set). Mama Tried follows, the 4th time the band has played it, even more country sounding than it would sound in years to come. A beautiful High Time follows, in only its third appearance.. Dupree's Diamond Blues follows then Me & My Uncle, still new in the band's rotation. A very different opening to Casey Jones is a treat to hear, as is Bobby handling the vocals on Dire Wolf. Other highlights include Pigpen on his only number here, "Big Boss Man", and of course Dark Star and St. Stephen.. Green Green Grass of Home, was made popular by Porter Wagoner on the country charts around this time.. I hope you enjoy this great recording of some wonderful early Dead.. Grateful Dead Veterans Auditorium Santa Rosa, CA 6/27/69 - Friday One - 1:20:44 Intro [0:05] ; Slewfoot [3:04];[0:17] ; Mama Tried [2:41] > High Time [5:55]%[0:07] ; Dupree's Diamond Blues [3:57];[0:24] ; Me And My Uncle [3:20];[0:04] % Jam [1:28] > Casey Jones [4:36];[3:24] ; Dire Wolf [2:24];[0:50] ; Sittin On Top Of The World [3:23] > Big Boss Man [5:42];[0:11] % Dark Star [25:53] > Saint Stephen [6:52] > The Eleven [2:37] > Green Green Grass Of Home [5:30];[1:42] Encore - 9:30 It's All Over Now, Baby Blue [8:#58#] Peter Grant on banjo on Slewfoot, Jerry on Pedal Steel on Slewfoot, Dire Wolf and Green Grass You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod100716.mp3 Your kind contributions allow the Deadpod to continue to exist.. thank you so much .. Peace and joy to you and yours..