The Deadpod

This week marks the 25th anniversary of the show I selected to play this week, and it clearly is one of the better later-day Dead shows. This comes to us from September 18th, 1987 at Madison Square Garden New York. It starts out with Weir refering to their appearance on Letterman the night before and then kicks into a great Hell In a Bucket... The Sugaree that follows is no slouch.. This first set also has a wonderful version of Candyman and When I Paint My Masterpiece. Its a short but solid set one that ends with a very nice Birdsong.. We'll listen to set 2 next week, which has some real meat to its bones, but I thought I'd close out this week's Deadpod with a cut from the newly released 'Spring 1990: So Glad You Made It' set with the Blow Away from the Cap Center in Landover MD, March 16th, 1990. If you're a fan of Brent's you'll enjoy hearing this one.. 9/18/87 - Grateful Dead Madison Square Garden, New York, NY Set 1: Hell In A Bucket Sugaree Walkin' Blues ; Candyman ; When I Paint My Masterpiece ; Bird Song ; from Spring 1990, So Glad You Made It Blow Away Cap Center Landover MD 3/16/90 You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod092112.mp3  Thank you so kindly for your support of the Deadpod, I could not bring this to you each week without it!

This week's Deadpod features the 2nd set from the performance that took place on September 11th, 1990 at the Spectrum in Philladelphia PA. This was the first performance of "He's Gone" since Brent had passed, and I really feel that the emotion for both band and audience alike comes through on the music. The 'Spoonful' that follows surely was a deliberate pick and is also fairly heavy with emotion.. an interesting and unique jam follows.. after Drumz, the highlights for me are a well performed 'Black Peter' and the encore, which was 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door'.. While this show may not be of the caliber of some of the MSG shows that followed, I think it was clearly the best show the band played prior to the arrival of Bruce Hornsby later in the month.. One word of warning, this version of the show contains two different sources, an audience and the soundboard. The audience provides the source for songs and passages missing on the soundboard tape.. still I thought it was quite worth the listen, and hope you do as well. Grateful Dead 09/11/90 The Spectrum Philadelphia, PA SET 2 Crowd/Tunning {1:11.14} Source B China Cat Sunflower- {7:21.27} Source B I Know You Rider {5:38.43} Source B (partial) Source A (Partial) Looks Like Rain {7:33.54} He's Gone- {12:43.25} Spoonful- {6:53.23} Jam- {9:08.62} Drums- {9:13.34} Jam- {9:44.73} The Wheel- {5:43.62} I Need A Miracle- {4:16.29} Black Peter- {9:58.51} Around & Around {6:47.29} ENCORE Knockin' On Heaven's Door {8:11.32} Source B You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod091412.mp3  Thank you so much for your kind support..I couldn't do the Deadpod without it.

There's of course quite a lot of interest in the Grateful Dead's 1990 catalog right now with the release of the Spring 90 box set. As I reflected upon that year, and on this month, I was led to choose this show for the next Deadpod. I've always loved this performance. It took place when I was still saddened by the loss of Brent Mydland and fearful for what would happen to the band, and it reaffirmed for me the power and sway of this music in a way words won't do justice. We'll listen to the second set next week which I find especially moving.. but this is a fine first set and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Grateful Dead 09/11/90 The Spectrum Philadelphia, PA SET 1 1. Jack Straw {7:27.12} 2. Bertha- {6:43.54} 3. Greatest Story Ever Told {4:24.18} 4. Candyman {7:17.50} 5. Queen Jane Approximately {6:46.69} 6. Brown Eyed Women {6:06.43} 7. It's All Over Now {7:51.25} 8. Tennessee Jed {8:34.24} 9. Hell In A Bucket {6:33.51} You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod090712.mp3  I really appreciate your support..I couldn't do the Deadpod without it.

This week we have the opportunity to experience the 2nd and 3rd sets from the legendary Field Trip which took place on August 27th, 1972 in Veneta Oregon. While I inadvertently omitted the opening Playin' In the Band from last week's Deadpod - it starts us off this week as we strap in and prepare for flight! And what a ride this one is.. this is a show you should simply experience for yourself - music that is not only pleasurable but transformational. Don't overlook songs like 'Jack Straw' - you might be surprised there. The Bird Song has been called the greatest ever as has the Dark Star.. Personally I've always felt that the emotional catharsis that comes with 'Sing Me Back Home' to be moving and inspirational. My words won't and can't do this performance justice. Savor this and see if you don't also feel it is music for the ages. Grateful Dead 8-27-1972 Old Renaissance Faire Grounds Veneta OR (Benefit for Springfield Creamery) --Set 2-- Playing in the Band 18:40 He's Gone 08:49 Jack Straw 04:59 Bird Song 12:19 Greatest Story 05:33 --Set 3-- Dark Star - 31:26 El Paso 04:39 Sing Me Back Home 10:29 Sugar Magnolia 08:33 --Encore-- Casey Jones 06:08 One More Saturday Night 04:41 You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod083112.mp3  I really appreciate your support..I couldn't do the Deadpod without it. HAPPY LABOR DAY WEEKEND!

This weekend marks the 40th anniversary of what some call the greatest single Grateful Dead show ever. While I might not go that far, it certainly was a remarkable occasion and one well worth reliving. While the band is firing on all cylinders as was often the case during this remarkable year, its clear that there is something special in the water this day. The 'Field Trip' as its been known is a very special afternoon and evening of remarkable improvisational psychedelic music. During this week's first set, listen as the band weaves its way from some wonderful but fairly standard versions of first set tunes until the upshift into a fantastic China Cat Sunflower.. the transition into I Know You Rider lets us know the band has stepped it up and is taking us on a special voyage. The frantic pace of the last two songs, Mexicalli and Bertha, ends set 1 and we're left wondering what will come next. Truly a remarkable version, it sets the audience up for an extraordinary shared experience in set 2, which we'll hear next week. Grateful Dead 8-27-1972 Old Renaissance Faire Grounds Veneta OR (Benefit for Springfield Creamery) Set1 Intro Promised Land Sugaree Me & My Uncle Deal Black Throated Wind China Cat Sunflower I Know You Rider Mexicali Blues Bertha You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod082412.mp3  I really appreciate your support..I couldn't do the Deadpod without. Enjoy my friends. PS I originally was going to include Playin' In the Band on this week's show, but it was mistakenly not included - I will include it in next week's set. Sorry about that!

This week, the heart of set 2 from the classic Red Rocks show performed on July 8th, 1978. There's no filler here, folks, just prime cut Dead. You might notice that sometimes they're not quite sure where the muse is going to take them, but once it does they follow at full throttle. The Wharf Rat is one of my all time favorites. The Werewolves of London is clearly the best they played. Grateful Dead July 8, 1978 Red Rocks Amphitheatre Morrison, CO from set 2 Estimated Prophet - The Other One - Eyes of the World - Drums - Space - Wharf Rat - Franklin's Tower - Sugar Magnolia --Encore-- Terrapin Station - One More Saturday Night Werewolves Of London You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod081712.mp3  The Deadpod depends upon your support to continue to publish new podcasts each week. You can help by choosing to make a contribution by pushing the Donate button on the right hand side of this page. Thank you my friends!

Here's a really fabulous show from the summer of 1978.. from a listener request, one of two *great* shows at Red Rocks that ended Summer tour that year, I picked this one mainly because the tape is of such fine quality. The boys are very energetic, you can just hear in their voices how much fun they are having. Another thing to notice is how up in the mix Bobby is here - you can really hear his distinctive sound and what he adds to the mix. This El Paso is one of my favorites! Settle back and enjoy the sounds of a summer show too long ago, but luckily still here for us to enjoy and savor! Grateful Dead July 8, 1978 Red Rocks Amphitheatre Morrison, CO --Set 1-- Bertha - Good Lovin' Dire Wolf El Paso It Must Have Been the Roses New Minglewood Blues Ramble on Rose Promised Land Deal --Set 2-- Samson & Delilah Ship of Fools You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod081012.mp3  Thank you so kindly for your support of the Deadpod - I really appreciate it!

Here we are again - another year rolls by - I'm thankful we have so much of Jerry's music and spirit to move us. I decided to play this one for you this week - I was turned on to this version by a good friend of the Deadpod - its been called the last great Grateful Dead show. That's hyperbole I'm sure but I played it for the Stella Blue... its not the Stella Blue I listened to this week when I sat in the Grateful Dead movie.. here is Garcia 20 more years down the line.. 20 years of experience, wear and tear certainly, soulfulness to be sure. As always the song speaks to my soul in ways only his playing and singing can do. The rest of this set is pretty darn good too.. I hope you enjoy it and smile.. Grateful Dead 03/21/94 Richfield Coliseum Richfield,OH Set 2 Picasso Moon New Speedway Boogie Victim Or The Crime He's Gone Jam Drums Space Turn On Your Lovelight Stella Blue Turn On Your Lovelight Encore 05 Liberty (fob source) Grateful Dead - June 23, 1992 Star Lake Amphitheater - Burgettstown, PA So Many Roads You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod080312.mp3  My sincere thanks for your support my friends. Remember to love each other........

Wow.. here we are once again on the verge of Jerry's Birthday.. old Jer would have been 70 this year..... makes me feel a little more aware of my own mortality.. While every Deadpod is a celebration of Jerry, I thought I'd put together something joyful for this week - this is a two-parter.. the first, a wonderful set of Jerry Garcia Band music performed on June 16th, 1982 at the Music Mountain in S. Fallsburg PA. This happened to be the last time that Bill Kreutzmann played drums in the Jerry Band, which in itself makes this an interesting show. I think this is a *rockin'* set that is sure to get you shaking those bones.. Jerry Garcia Band Music Mountain - South Fallsburg, NY Wednesday, June 16, 1982 1st Set 1- How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You 2- Catfish John 3- That's What Love Will Make You Do 4- Valerie 5- Let It Rock - 6- Deal Jerry Garcia Band Jerry Garcia - guitar, vocals John Kahn - bass Melvin Seals - keyboards Jimmy Warren - keyboards Bill Kreutzmann - drums Essra Mohawk - backing vocals Liz Stires - backing vocals Unfortunately we only have set 1 of this performance, which led me on a quest for even more wonderful Jerry music.. I came up with this little gem of Primal Dead.. Grateful Dead - January 23, 1968 Eagles Auditorium - Seattle, WA That's It For The Other One - Clementine - New Potato Caboose - Born Cross-Eyed - Spanish Jam// Man I just wish that Spanish Jam was complete!! Whew! This is smoking hot Good Old Grateful Dead.. no better way to remember the man on this anniversary of his coming on the planet ;) You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod072712.mp3  Hope you enjoy this week's show my friends, and thank you *so very much* for your support, without which the Deadpod would not be possible..

Set two of a fine show from the Summer of 1990 is up to entertain you this week - personally I'm a fan of the Standing on the Moon-He's Gone-JAM.. good stuff I recall everyone on their feet and shaking it for the Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad.. Hope you enjoy the show! 7/6/90 - Grateful Dead Cardinal Stadium Louisville, KY Set Two China Cat Sunflower I Know You Rider Man Smart, Woman Smarter Standing On The Moon He's Gone Jam Drums Space Truckin' Wharf Rat Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad Around And Around Encore It's All Over Now, Baby Blue You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod072012.mp3  A big thank you to everyone who has helped to support the Deadpod - this is brought to you through their generosity! Thank you!

This week I decided to play a show that I have some fond memories of - July 6th, 1990 at Cardinal Stadium in Louisville KY. I have vivid memories of the trip to this show (following the blistering 4th of July show in Kansas) as well as walking through this group of fundamentalists on my way to the venue (they were all carrying brooms and Bibles to sweep out Satan I guess).. the weather was HOT and they cut off beer sales right when the boys went on stage.. but still a great night of music.. The first set has a wonderful Sugaree .. although really all of these 1st set songs are well played.. Its just a fine show from a great tour - the Summer of 1990. Grateful Dead Date: 7/6/90 - Friday Location: Cardinal Stadium - Louisville, KY Set One: Hell In A Bucket Sugaree ; Easy To Love You ; Peggy-O ; Desolation Row ; West L.A. Fadeaway ; Picasso Moon ; Ramble On Rose ; The Music Never Stopped You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod071312.mp3  My sincere thanks to those of you who are able to contribute to keep the Deadpod rolling!

Our post-July4th Deadpod features the second set from the band's performance at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs NY during the Summer tour of 1985. This second set starts out with an interesting Stranger-Eyes-GDTRFB combo.. which is very tasty.. personally I enjoy the Black Peter (not everyone's cup of tea) and the Lovelight.. the JBG encore is far from the best, but Jerry follows it up with a very nice Baby Blue to send the crowd out happy.. I hope you enjoy this week's show! 6/27/85 - Grateful Dead Saratoga Performing Arts Center Set 2: Tuning Feel Like A Stranger - Eyes Of The World - Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad - Man Smart, Woman Smarter - Drums - Space - Truckin' - Spoonful - Black Peter - Turn On Your Lovelight Encore: Johnny B. Goode It's All Over Now, Baby Blue You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod070612.mp3  Thanks so much for your support of the Deadpod!

Ahhh... summer's here for sure and as we head out of June and on to the 4th of July my mind couldn't help but be led back to that one-of-a-kind summer tour of 1985.. this week we'll sample one of those shows from that tour, this one from Saratoga Springs, NY, that took place on June 27th, 1985. As always on this tour a very innovative setlist, highlighted for me with a *great* Stagger Lee (not a tune I would often enjoy), a first set Crazy Fingers(!)into Supplication, High TIme (we have been hearing alot of these on the Deadpod lately haven't we?) and a nicely done Hell in a Bucket. It's a fun show, and I hope you enjoy it my friends.. set 2 next week.. 6/27/85 - Grateful Dead Saratoga Performing Arts Center Set 1: Tuning In The Midnight Hour - Bertha - Little Red Rooster "Get Down From The Balcony" Stagger Lee - El Paso - Crazy Fingers - Supplication - High Time Hell In A Bucket - Don't Ease Me In You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod062912.mp3  thank you so much for your kind support of the Deadpod.. I really couldn't keep it going without you! Have a safe and HAPPY 4th of JULY !

My mind was moved to her yesterday when someone asked my favorite "Summertime" songs - of course I thought of the one and only Janis. I get requests for this show from time to time, I did broadcast part of this back in April of '06 but that Deadpod no longer exists on the archive, so I felt it was high time to bring it out again. Pigpen and Janis on Lovelight would be enough, but there are some other killer songs on this tape - Attics for one.. Of course this is surely not the entire show, and it does cut in on the China Cat.. still listen to Jerry and Bob on Not Fade Away, and that sublime Uncle John's to end this..... and think back to a summer long ago when the world was young...... Grateful Dead July 16, 1970 Euphoria Ballroom San Rafael, CA Set 1- //China Cat Sunflower - I Know You Rider - Candyman Turn on Your Lovelight Casey Jones Attics of My Life Cumberland Blues Not Fade Away - Saint Stephen - Uncle John's Band You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod062212.mp3  thank you so much for your kind support of the Deadpod..

This week's second set from June 14th, 1976 is in my opinion, simply outstanding. The songs are all strong and well played. Great set list, the High Time and Music Never Stopped are very good, but from Crazy Fingers on its flat-out cranked. Dancin' is wonderful, but the 14 minute Slipknot is spine tingling. Hope you aren't wore out on mid 70s Dead because this is a helluva show. I hope you enjoy it.. Grateful Dead 6/14/76 Beacon Theater New York, NY --Set 2-- tuning The Wheel Samson & Delilah tuning High Time The Music Never Stopped tuning Crazy Fingers - Drums - Dancin' in the Streets - Cosmic Charlie Help on the Way - Slipknot! - Franklin's Tower Around & Around crowd and tuning --Encore-- U.S. Blues You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod061512.mp3  a big THANK YOU to those of you who support the Deadpod and keep us rolling every week!