The Deadpod

"Spring hasn't sprung, until the Dead play the Frost" or so goes the saying I used to hear.. and in an attempt to conjure up a more lasting Spring I decided to bring one of their magical concerts from this classic venue to  our Deadpod this week. This concert comes from the  Spring of 1985, surely a  year that doesn't always get much respect, but nonetheless the place for some amazing shows back in the day, and I think you'll agree that this particular event was one of those.. The famous bass line welcomes us to a wonderful Dancin' and we know we're on our way to a fabulous time with the boys. Bertha doesn't give anyone a chance to sit down as Jerry rocks it at a breakneck pace.. a lazy Little Red Rooster follows.. but don't despair.. a great Brown Eyed Women is up next followed by 'My Brother Esau'.. every time I hear that song I'm reminded of a show I saw back in the early 90s where someone just kept yelling .... "Bobby.. are you still boxing with the apocalypse?" Ramble on Rose is a keeper I think.. well played and Jerry sounds into it and it has that unique 'electic dixieland' sound as David Crosby so well described it.. It is also wonderful that Jerry  is in full and fine voice here and throughout this show.. Phil's 'Tom Thumb' is pleasant and goes into a very fine Cold Rain and Snow.. The set ends with a well developed Music Never Stopped.. the jaming hints at whats coming next week in set 2..  Frost Amphitheater (Stanford U), Palo Alto, CA (4/27/85) set 1 Dancin' in the Streets Bertha Little Red Rooster Brown Eyed Women My Brother Esau Ramble on Rose Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues-> Cold Rain and Snow Music Never Stopped You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod041913.mp3 Thank you for listening to the Deadpod, and for your contributions, without which I can not continue to publish it each week... Let It Grow..

This week we get to move on to the second set from April 12th, 1982 at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale NY. I think you'll agree that this is one of the more interesting and well played sets of the Spring '82 tour.. it starts off with Man Smart, Woman Smarter - an usual choice given that they opened the show with Iko, Iko.. then Jerry moves into a Sugaree which is clearly one of the best of the year.. and also in an unusual second set location, this one clocks in around 14 minutes and is quite a pleasure to listen to.. Listen to Bobby on the the Estimated that follows, also unusual :) .. Stella Blue is a fine version and the Sugar Mag is a nicely moving one.. You certainly won't hear a Satisfaction encore too often! :)  Hope you enjoy this week's Deadpod..  Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY (4/12/82) Man Smart/Woman Smarter Sugaree Estimated Prophet Uncle John's Band drums The Other One Stella Blue Sugar Magnolia Satisfaction You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod041213.mp3 Thanks so much for your support!! I couldn't do the Deadpod without the contributions of my listeners.... Also note: this week the metadata on the mp3 file is missing - this is because I ran out of room on my hosting service quota... Sorry! Luckily I was able to just squeeze this second set in!

Here's a show that has been on my request list for some time.. I'm not sure why I haven't gotten around to playing it aside from the fact that I did play most of the 2nd set back in '06.. at any rate its one of the best from the Spring of 1982.. this is from the Nassau Coliseum on 4/12/82. A fine first set is highlighted by an unusual "Iko, Iko' opener, a beautiful Peggy-O and a pretty crazy Mama Tried->Mexicali segue..  The Bird Song is crisp and a joy to listen to and the T.Jed is alot of fun.. the closing Deal show us that Jerry is going to bring us some treats in set 2..  Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY (4/12/82) Iko Iko New Minglewood Blues Peggy-O Mama Tried Mexicali Blues Bird Song C.C. Rider Tennessee Jed Looks Like Rain Deal You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod040513.mp3 Thank you all for picking up this week's Deadpod, and remember I'm always happy to take your requests. I am indebted to the support I receive from my friends whose contributions keep the Deadpod afloat. Thank you so very much, I couldn't do the show without you. Happy Spring!

As we prepare to turn the page on March, I thought it might be nice to pull out a really smoking show from way back in 1969.. this one comes to us from 3/28/69 at the Modest Jr. College Civic Center in Modesto California.. yes a unique venue..but quite a strong outing for the boys. This one starts out with a strong Good Morning Little Schoolgirl, but follows that up with a deep space Dark Star... Jerry has some wonderful  leads in this one, and it threads its way through chaos and eternity into a rousing Saint Stephen... The Eleven is always a thrill to me and this has some extended build ups.. The Death Don't Have No Mercy is powerful.. as usual.. a classic 23 minute Lovelight follows, with Pigpen leading the charge. The second set consists of one long 'The Other One'.. its a high energy jam that is abruptly stopped when someone turns on the house lights and ends the show! I hope you enjoy this one my friends.. Grateful Dead Student Center, Modesto Jr. College, Modesto CA, 3/28/69 Good Mornin' Little Schoolgirl Dark Star-> St. Stephen-> The Eleven-> Death Don't Have No Mercy-> Turn On Your Lovelight Cryptical Envelopment-> Drumz-> The Other One-> Cryptical Envelopment You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod032913.mp3 For my Christian friends Happy Easter... My thanks for your support of the Deadpod; I truly rely on you to be able to produce this each week, your financial support makes the Deadpod possible, I thank you..

This first Deadpod of Spring we will be hearing the second set from the bands' performance on St. Patrick's Day, 1991 at the Cap Center in Landover MD. A fine pre-drums segment, highlighted for me by 'Crazy Fingers'... but what really brings the crowd to their feet is the east coast breakout of 'New Speedway Boogie' for the first time in over 20 years. This tune had been played on the west coast about a month earlier, but despite some rough vocals everyone was stoked to hear it! Post Drumx highlight I think is a fine Wheel ->Watchtower... although I always enjoy the Black Peter..  Capital Centre, Landover, MD (3/17/91) set 2 China Cat Sunflower I Know You Rider Man Smart/Woman Smarter Crazy Fingers Truckin' New Speedway Boogie drums space The Wheel All Along the Watchtower Black Peter Around and Around U.S. Blues You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod032213.mp3 My most heartfelt appreciate goes to all of you who so kindly support the Deadpod, it is a privilege to be able to bring this to you each week.. thank you! 

Well it's St. Patrick's Day weekend! so i decided to bring everyone a dose of St. Patrick's Day Dead for this week's Deadpod... This show comes from the Spring of 1991, so there's both Bruce Hornsby and Vince Welnick in the mix.. This one starts with a nice Hell in a Bucket and a pretty good Sugaree.. Bruce is especially prominent during a squeeze box solo during Queen Jane.. the highlight of this first set is the breakout of 'Rubin and Cherise'.  The second set will come next week, but I hope you enjoy this trip back to the early 90s., a period I don't often feature but which for many folks, contains the highlights of their shared experience with the boys.  Please note: this recording is a bit too 'hot' and has some clipping.. I hope you will still enjoy it despite these problems.  Capital Centre, Landover, MD (3/17/91) Hell in a Bucket Sugaree Walkin' Blues Peggy-O Queen Jane Approximately Rubin and Cherise Let It Grow You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod031513.mp3 The Deadpod exists through the kind support of my friends who listen each week. If you'd like to make a contribution you can click on the contribute button at the top right hand side of the page.. my most sincere thanks!! Have a safe and HAPPY St. Patrick's Day!

This week I thought I would share this very interesting show from way back in 1969.  This is quite a fine recording, and I thought I'd go ahead and bring you the entire show this week, although it makes for a bit longer Deadpod than usual. As you can see below the show features a number of tunes without Garcia and Pigpen; the story goes that each were too incapacitated in their own way, to continue.... the jamming however does.. and very nicely. I think you'll agree this is a fantastic recording of a unique moment in Grateful Dead history.. I hope you enjoy it..  Grateful Dead - June 8, 1969 Fillmore West - San Francisco, CA Notes: -- * with Wayne Ceballos (vocals)/without Pigpen -- ** with Elvin Bishop (guitar and vocals)/without Garcia Set 1: Dancing In The Street -> He Was A Friend Of Mine -> China Cat Sunflower -> New Potato Caboose Me And My Uncle Set 2: Tuning Turn On Your Lovelight * The Things I Used To Do ** Who's Lovin' You Tonight ** That's It For The Other One -> Cosmic Charlie You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod030813.mp3 I sincerely thank those of you who've been able to support the Deadpod.  If you can help to keep the Deadpod around, please consider clicking on the contribute button to the right.. I really appreciate your support..

This week we'll get to hear the second set from the Jerry Garcia Band's performance at the Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh PA on 3/19/78. This is really a classic JGB setlist, and what finer music to welcome in the month of March with! Below is a picture from the show.. And what a great classic JGB setlist.. I love all these songs.. and they certainly show off the vocal talents of Donna Jean and Maria.. Jerry Garcia Band 3/19/78 Stanley Theatre - Pittsburgh, PA Set 2: Mission In The Rain Love In The Afternoon Let Me Roll It I Second That Emotion The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down I'll Be With Thee Midnight Moonlight E: Palm Sunday Hope you enjoy this one.. You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod030113.mp3 My sincere appreciation for your support my friends.. it makes the Deadpod possible..

This week's Deadpod was inspired by the new release of 'GarciaLive vol. 1' on the jerrygarcia.com website.. this release, from 3/1/80 is of course required listening for all Jerry Band fans, so while I can't play that on the Deadpod, I did want to whet your appetite a little with some Jerry Band from one of my favorite periods, Spring of 1978.. The show I'm bringing you this week is from one of those great old venues, the Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh PA.. this must have been a great night to see the band, right in the middle of a string of great nights... I'm going to bring you the first set this week, and next week we'l hear set 2.. Jerry Garcia Band 3/19/78 Stanley Theatre - Pittsburgh, PA Set 1: How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You Catfish John Cats Under The Stars Simple Twist Of Fate Tore Up Over You Gomorrah Mystery Train The Harder They Come Here's the standard lineup for this period of the Jerry Band:  Musicians Jerry Garciaguitar, vocals John Kahnbass Keith Godchauxkeyboards Donna Jean Godchauxbacking vocals Maria Muldaurbacking vocals Buzz Buchanandrums    these are all classic Jerry Band tunes.. I hope you haven't heard too much JGB here lately but it just felt right to me to feature this music this week..  I hope you agree.  You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:  http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod022213.mp3 thank you so much for your kind support of the Deadpod.. I am moved by your support and couldn't bring you this show without it! thank you! 

This second set from 6/11/93 features the only Eyes of the World performed on  the summer tour that year, as the opener. Its quite nicely done, and followed by another well-played Playin' In the Band... the band and Jerry in particular do a very credible job on these.. out of space, the Wheel and Watchtower are a pleasure to hear as well, but the Black Peter is a personal favorite and I think Jerry takes the time to do a decent version here.. the Sugar Mag had everyone dancing, and of course the Brokedown Palace leaves me smiling when I hear it..I hope it makes you smile as well...  Buckeye Lake Music Center, Hebron, OH (Friday, 6/11/93) Eyes of the World Playing in the Band -> Uncle John's Band -> Corina -> Drums -> Space -> The Wheel -> Watchtower -> Black Peter -> Sugar Magnolia Brokedown Palace You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod021513.mp3 thank you so much for your kind support of the Deadpod! I really appreciate it my friends..

I've had some requests for a 90s show and I thought this would be a nice change of pace this week. This was one of my favorite outdoor venues as a show here was, for all the hassles, usually a gas. This show, from Buckeye Lake in the summer of 93, was a blast. I think the band was having fun and playing well. The Jerry tunes here are fun to hear and I'm a real fan of the Tom Thumbs if this era as well as the Masterpiece. We'll hear the interesting set two next week. Buckeye Lake Music Center, Hebron, OH (Friday, 6/11/93) Jack Straw Foolish Heart The Same Thing Lazy River Road Tom Thumb's Blues Masterpiece So Many Roads Promised Land You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod020813.mp3 Thanks so much for your kind support of the Deadpod - this is really as much your doing as mine! 

Nothing beats a fine second set like this one from fall of 73.. a great mix of songs.. starts off with some great classic, rocking numbers, then a truly fine Weather Report Suite - be sure and listen to the wonderful ensemble playing at the end.. I think you'll find the Dark Star that follows to be quite memorable.. it starts off quite softly .. but it certainly explores some unexpected spaces.. the Eyes that follows is very well played as is Wharf Rat.. I know I have a weakness for this era of GD, but I think this really holds up well and shows once again, the wide variety of styles the band could play and the wide number of spaces they could take us to.  Curtis Hixon Convention Hall, Tampa, FL (12/18/73) Promised Land Bertha Greatest Story Ever Told Row Jimmy WRS Prelude WRS Part 1 Let It Grow Dark Star drums Eyes of the World Wharf Rat Sugar Magnolia Uncle John's Band You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:  http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod020113.mp3 Thank you so much for your support of the Deadpod !!! and Happy Groundhog Day! 

All the publicity this week about the release of Dave's Pick's Vol 5. gave me a good excuse to bring out another 1973 gem to play on the Deadpod..  This week's show took place about a month after the 11/17/73 show featured on Dave's Picks - this one is from 12/18/73 at the Curtis Hixon Convention Hall in Tampa FL. - yes the night before the show featured on Dick's Picks Vol 1! I know  - finding these beauties that haven't been released is getting harder -but this is a wonderful show and I am sure that those of us who enjoy this stellar period in GD history will enjoy it. I'll play set 1 this week and follow it next week with set 2. This one features some fine renditions of classic tunes - the Tennessee Jed, Brown Eyed Women and Deal are wonderful.. and don't dare miss the China->Rider - that transition is GREAT! ..... and yes its simply a coincidence that i'm playing florida shows in the DEAD of winter :)  Curtis Hixon Convention Hall, Tampa, FL (12/18/73) Tennessee Jed Me and My Uncle Don't Ease Me In Looks Like Rain They Love Each Other Me and Bobby McGee Brown Eyed Women Beat it on Down the Line Peggy-O El Paso Deal Jack Straw China Cat Sunflower I Know You Rider You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod012513.mp3 Thank you so much for listening and for your support... I appreciate it SO much - and I couldn't publish the Deadpod every week without it! Be well and stay warm my friends..

I think this is a really nice second set from the great Fall of 1980 tour.. it contains some of my favorite songs and I think that Jerry and the band do them all justice. In particular the opening 'Feel Like A Stranger' however the following 'To Lay Me Down' is just too short and too sweet... The Let It Grow is back to full throtle Dead, and flows into a short but sweet Terrapin Station..  While the rest of the set may not match the pre-Drums peak, its still certainly worth listening to and remembering what moments of beauty there were....  Grateful Dead  Lakeland Civic Center  Lakeland, FL   11/28/80 - Friday  Set Two   Feel Like A Stranger %  To Lay Me Down >   Let It Grow >   Terrapin Station >   Drums >   Space >   Not Fade Away >   Black Peter >   Sugar Magnolia %   Encore U.S. Blues ;  You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod011813.mp3 Thank you my friends for listening and for your support... 

I've been wanting to play something from this time period for some time, and while I previously presented part of a show from a couple nights later, this recording captures quite well the bands' energy and talents during the tour from the late Fall of 1980. We'll listen to the first set this week, which features a really fine 'Little Red Rooster' as well as a superb version of 'Looks Like Rain'. The set closing 'Deal' is raging...  I hope you enjoy this as much as I do, we'll listen to set 2 next week...  Lakeland Civic Center, Lakeland, FL (11/28/80) Jack Straw Peggy-O Little Red Rooster Tennessee Jed Passenger Deep Elem Blues Looks Like Rain Deal You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod011113.mp3 My most sincere thanks for your support.. I very much appreciate it!