The Deadpod

This week we go back to the start of a legendary run that took place in the Spring of 1972, in New York City at the Academy of Music on March 21st. Off and on there are a few sonic problems with the tape - Garcia's vocals are buried in the opening 'Bertha' and there is a hum here and there, but overall well worth a listen. Garcia is on fire throughout and while some of the songs are still being developed the band is clearly evolving toward the Europe 72 sound you are probably very familiar with. Love the 'Playing In The Band' one of the first versions with some really out there jamming after the first verses. 'Looks like Rain' features Garcia on slide guitar and Pigpen is fabulous throughout. 'Cumberland Blues' is simply explosive. Grateful Dead Academy of Music New York, NY 3/21/72 - Tuesday One Bertha ; Black Throated Wind ; Sugaree ; Next Time You See Me ; Greatest Story Ever Told ; Loser ; Mr. Charlie ; Looks Like Rain ; Tennessee Jed ; Playing In The Band ; You Win Again ; Cumberland Blues ; Chinatown Shuffle ; El Paso ; Good Lovin' > Casey Jones You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod031618.mp3 Hope you enjoy this week's Deadpod. My thanks for your support!

You've probably heard that Phil Lesh and Bob Weir have been playing some wonderful 'duo' shows together this month.. while I'm still contemplating playing one of the audience tapes of one of these gems, I decided to bring you another 'Phil & Friends' acoustic show that started the genre - this took place back on September 24th, 1994 at the Berkeley Community Theater in Berkeley CA, a benefit for music in the local schools. It was of course the last 'acoustic' Dead performance, and for the most part is quite sweet and wonderful to hear. I hope you enjoy this performance, and I do envy those of you lucky enough to see Phil  & Bob this tour! Phil Lesh and Friends Live at Berkely Community Center on 1994-09-24Acoustic Set ( 95:31 )01 Bob Weir VH1 Unplugged Intro02 Walking Blues03 Lazy River Road04 K.C. Moan05 Dupree's Diamond Blues06 Childhood's End07 When I Paint My Masterpiece08 Attics Of My Life09 Cassidy >10 Bird Song >11 Throwing StonesJerry GarciaPhil LeshVince WelnickBob WeirNotesThis was the very First Phil Lesh and FriendsYou can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod030918.mp3Be kind to one another. Thank you so much for your support. 

March will come in like a lion for us with the second set from the band's performance at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles CA from February 11th, 1989. We are treated right off to a superb China>Rider, with a very nice jam into Rider. I love hearing Brett here.. what better song to bring in March than 'I Know You Rider'? and Jerry sells that 'northbound train' line :) . 'Man Smart, Woman Smarter' follows - that bouncy tune always got everyone dancing! 'Standing on the Moon' follows, certainly not in the slot we might expect it, but this is only its 3rd performance, but one of the best.. also probably the main reason I wanted to play this set.. a nice, stretched out 'Estimated Prophet' follows.. they then travel to Space, but  Brent brings out 'I Will Take You Home' first, which always pulls at my heartstrings.. a very interesting drums follows, with Bill and Mickey being joined by Airto Moreira, Diana Moreira, and Flora Purim for some very spacey African sounding vocal stylings. The guests leave for Space, but Airto returns for 'Eyes of the World'. The post-drums is quite long by later-day standards, as Eyes finds a unique closing jam to lead into 'I Need A Miracle' then a soulful 'Black Peter' goes into a rousing 'Lovelight' to end the set. The crowd is treated to Phil bringing out the 'Box of Rain' for the encore to end a truly classic set. Grateful Dead Great Western Forum Inglewood, CA 2/11/89 - Saturday Two China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider>; Man Smart (Woman Smarter) ; Standing On The Moon ; Estimated Prophet >; I Will Take You Home>; Drums* >; Space >; Eyes Of The World** >; I Need A Miracle >; Black Peter >; Turn On Your Love Light Encore Box Of Rain Comments * with Airto and Diana Moreira, Flora Purim; ** with Airto Moreira You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod030218.mp3 'thoughts and prayers are not enough' Thanks for your support of the Deadpod my friends.

This week's Deadpod features the first set from the band's performance on February 11th, 1989 in Los Angeles, CA. I love the opener, Mississipi Half-Step, and Jerry doesn't let me down here.. 'across.... the lazy river.. :) An energetic Minglewood follows, then a lovely 'Candyman'.. I love the color that Brent added here, but no one sounds like Jerry on this. Next a rockin' 'Big River', followed by the premier of 'Built To Last'.. such interesting lyrics. 'Queen Jane' is well played and followed by a short but always powerful 'We Can Run'. The Bird flies by to end this first set full of colors and feelings.. Great Western Forum, Los Angeles CA (2/11/89) Mississippi Half-Step New Minglewood Blues Candyman Big River Built to Last Queen Jane Approximately We Can Run But We Can't Hide Bird Song  You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:  http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod022318.mp3 Thanks for the opportunity to showcase the light and love that is in this music..

This week's Deadpod features the beautiful 2nd set from February 9th, 1973 from Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA. Plenty of breakouts make this a rare and unusual set, including 'They Love Each Other' , 'Eyes of the World', 'China Doll' and 'Wave that Flag'. Some great exploratory jamming in Eyes marks a unique version that sounds unlike any other played that year. There are a few splices here and there, but I don't think they will effect your enjoyment of this fine show. Wavy Gravy does a brief political talk at the beginning of the set.. Grateful Dead Roscoe Maples Pavilion - Stanford University Palo Alto, CA 2/9/73 - Friday Two - 1:36:15 China Cat Sunflower [4:51] > I Know You Rider [5:49]%[0:45] ; Jack Straw [4:43]%[1:25] ; They Love Each Other [4:36];[0:07]%[0:09] ; Truckin' [7:#56] > Eyes Of The World [17:09] > China Doll [6:00];[0:06]%[0:08] ; Big River [4:54] % Ramble On Rose [6:23];[0:06] % Box Of Rain [5:05];[0:14] ; Wave That Flag [5:#20];[0:09]%[0:20] ; Sugar Magnolia [8:39];[0:51] ; Uncle John's Band [7:17];[0:04]%[0:33] ; Around And Around [4:46] ; Dead Air [0:27] Encore - 7:21 Casey Jones [7:21] ; You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod021618.mp3 no more children should be shot and killed.

45 years ago today the Dead premiered the 'Wall of Sound'.. they also premiered the following classic songs: China Doll, Eyes of the World, Here Comes Sunshine, Loose Lucy, They Love Each Other, Row Jimmy, Wave That Flag (Later US Blues).. this week we'll listen to the first set from this spectacular show, from February 9th, 1973 at the Roscoe Maples Pavilion at Stanford University, Palo Alto California. I can't believe I never played this before on the Deadpod but it appears I have not.. my thanks to Steve for the suggestion for this week!  Roscoe Maples Pavilion (Stanford U), Palo Alto, CA (2/9/73) Promised Land Row Jimmy Black Throated Wind Deal Me and My Uncle Sugaree Looks Like Rain Loose Lucy Mexicali Blues Brown Eyed Women El Paso Here Comes Sunshine Playing in the Band You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod020918.mp3 Enjoy.. and thanks for your support!

This week we feature the second set from the band's performance on April 10th, 1983 at Morgantown, West Virginia. This is a fine sounding, energetic set, in which I think Brent's contributions really shine. I love the intro out of space into 'the Wheel' and of course the 'China Doll' that comes out of the return into 'Playin'.  The jamming in Playin' may not quite get out there as far as you'd like but overall this is a very fun well-played show. I hope you agree.. Grateful Dead Coliseum - West Virginia University Morgantown, WV 4/10/83 - Sunday Two Touch Of Grey [6:04] ; Man Smart (Woman Smarter) [5:54] ; Uncle John's Band[8:29] > Playing In The Band[10:10] > Drums [6:40] > Space [5:33] > The Wheel [5:41] > Playing In The Band[4:29] > China Doll [4:52] > Sugar Magnolia [8:07] Encore U.S. Blues [4:56] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod020218.mp3 Love to all my friends who listen to and support the Deadpod.. be well and do good..

This week's Deadpod comes as the result of a request by a friend .. some say the highlight of this show is the opener, I wouldn't go that far but it is a surprise, even for a Sunday! The 'Samson & Delilah' opener only happened a couple of times in the band's history but I think the rest of this set is quite entertaining as well. From April 10th, 1983 in Morgantown West Virginia.. I found the interplay between Garcia and Brent Mydland to be very entertaining here (Brent is certainly up a bit in the mix on this tape). 'Tennessee Jed' is a highlight here for me, as is a slow 'Friend of the Devil' that includes some nice surprises from Jerry. Grateful Dead Coliseum - West Virginia University Morgantown, WV 4/10/83 - Sunday One Samson And Delilah ; Friend Of The Devil ; Me And My Uncle > Mexicali Blues ; Althea ; Little Red Rooster ; Tennessee Jed ; My Brother Esau ; Might As Well You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod012618.mp3 Pass it on! You can now listen to the Deadpod on Spotify! Feel free to send me *your* requests - email or on our Facebook page! Thank you my friends for your support...,....

Here's hoping that this set of fine early Dead music will help warm  your bones in the middle of this cold cold January... We continue with the band's performance from January 16th, 1970 at Springer's Inn in Portland Oregon. While we start out with a Cumberland Blues that is a bit shortened, this tape more than make sup for it with early versions of classic songs that are delightful to me as I listen to their early development.  'Easy Wind' is a classic, as is the wonderful 'Dire Wolf'... Because the set is a bit short, I've included a cut from a recently released set from one of my favorite bands, Joe Russo's Almost Dead.. this cover of Cream Puff War just seems to fit in perfectly here and I hope you enjoy it.. the rest of this wonderful set is available on archive.org.. Grateful Dead Springer's Inn Portland, OR 1/16/70 - Friday part 2 Cumberland Blues [#4:13#] % Me And My Uncle [#2:52] > Dire Wolf [4:10];[1:00] ; Uncle John's Band [6:51];[0:45] ; Easy Wind [8:00];[2:15] ; Cryptical Envelopment [1:48] > Drums [0:49] > Space [0:59] > Drums [3:54] > The Other One [8:32] > Cryptical Envelopment [1:16] > Cosmic Charlie [6:#19];[0:12] Joe Russo's Almost Dead Brooklyn Bowl, 12/29/2016 Cream Puff War You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod011918.mp3 thanks so much for your support!! 

A fresh new year brought to my mind a good time to hear the band when they sounded fresh and young - - thus this week's Deadpod from 1/16/70 at Springer's Inn in Portland Oregon.  This is the start of what was a momentous year for the band, and we can hear the enthusiasm and talent of each of them on this fine recording. While there are no long jams or songs on this recording, there is a passion and energy in each of these songs that is a treat to listen to. I'll play the first part of this recording this week and the second next; while there are some cuts and anomalies, I think you'll agree that it has held up sonically remarkably well. Grateful Dead Springer's Inn Portland, OR 1/16/70 - Friday One Casey Jones [4:33];[0:44] ; Mama Tried [2:28];[0:33] ; Black Peter (1) [7:59];[2:38] ; Hard To Handle [7:07];[0:24] ; China Cat Sunflower [2:58] > Jam [2:28] > I Know You Rider [4:08];[0:30] ; High Time [7:37];[0:09] % Good Lovin' [#6:41];[0:10] ; Dancing In The Street [6:29];[0:29] ; Alligator [3:40] > Drums [5:13] > Jam in 12s [1:45] > The Eleven Jam [6:45] > Space [0:14] > Death Don't Have No Mercy [8:24];[0:14] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod011218.mp3 Thank you for your kind support of the Deadpod! Practice kindness my friends..

We usher in the New Year with a long, fantastic second set from the Dead's performance on 12/30/78 at the Pauley Pavilion in UCLA, Los Angeles, CA. The bands opens with a trifecta of rock and roll - 'I Need a Miracle' (check out Weir's shouting here) into 'Bertha' into 'Good Lovin'. This leads into a fantastic, long Scarlet > Fire (almost 18 minutes). You might think they'd head into Drums and Space but no, tonight we get both a 'Playin' in the Band' AND a 'Shakedown Street' pre-Drums. This Drums is no slouch.. and leads into Hamza el-Din joining the band for 'Ollin Arrageed'. Jerry rather flubs the intro to the first 'St. Stephen' since January 78, but still great to hear, as is the 'Not Fade Away'>Goin' Down the Road'>'Around and Around' which closes this excellent set. They return for the obligatory 'One More Saturday Night' encore capping off almost a 2 hour set. Grateful Dead Pauley Pavilion - University of California Los Angeles, CA 12/30/78 - Saturday Two I Need A Miracle [4:12] > Bertha [6:34] > Good Lovin' [7:02] ; Scarlet Begonias [9:31] > Fire On The Mountain [9:34] ; Playing In The Band [7:54] > Shakedown Street [8:57] > Drums [10:46] > Ollin Arrageed (1) [14:03] > Space [2:06] > Saint Stephen [8:03] > Not Fade Away [7:35] > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad [6:39] > Around And Around [9:08] Encore One More Saturday Night [4:34] comments (1) with Hamza el-Din You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod010518.mp3 Hope you are staying warm this chilly New Year!!! Thanks for your kind support, I very much appreciate it! A quick reminder - you can explore and download over 10 years of the Deadpod from my homepage here at  http://deadshow.blogspot.com

First off - Happy New Year! Always a significant date on the touring calendar, the NYE run has seen many great shows over the years. I've decided to bring you one from 39 years ago, 12/29/78 at Pauley Pavilion at UCLA in Los Angeles CA. This rather long first set is a combination of slower Garcia ballads and rockin' Weir covers.. but it all works and I hope you'll enjoy it.  An opening 'Jack Straw' is always a treat, and this one is quite welcome.. 'They Love Each Other' follows, then Bobby brings out a nice 'Mama Tried' into 'Mexicali Blues'.  Garcia again slows it down a bit with a soulful 'Loser'. Other highlights in the firs set include a great rockin' 'Passenger' followed by a 'Tennessee Jed' with a great Garcia solo. 'Sugaree' that follows the 'Minglewood' is very tasty as well! Grateful Dead Pauley Pavilion - University of California Los Angeles, CA 12/30/78 - Saturday One Jack Straw [5:28] ; They Love Each Other [6:58] ; Mama Tried [2:24] > Mexicali Blues [3:56] ; Loser [7:15] ; Looks Like Rain [7:54] ; Stagger Lee [5:33] ; Passenger [5:00] ; Tennessee Jed [8:44] ; New Minglewood Blues [5:14] ; Sugaree [9:15] ; The Promised Land [4:28] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod122917.mp3 I wish for everyone a very HAPPY NEW YEAR! Be safe and hope for better days... thank you my friends for your support....

Our annual Christmas Deadpod features a very entertaining acoustic show from the summer of 1970. While it is true that the mandolin and the guitars are higher in the mix than optimal, I am of the opinion that the quality of the recording, and the originality of the set list, make this a worthwhile pastime on a cold winter's day. I do hope you agree. I wish for all of you peace and happiness and hope that this holiday weekend finds you with the people you love, for that is the greatest of all gifts. Grateful Dead Golden Hall - San Diego Community Concourse San Diego, CA 8/5/70 - Wednesday One - 31:06 Candyman [6:46]%[0:17] ; El Paso [5:44]%[0:10] ; Rosalie McFall [3:34]%[0:06] ; Tell It To Me [2:25];[0:15] ; Drink Up And Go Home [2:44]%[0:26] ; A Voice From On High [2:57]%[0:08] ; Cold Jordan [2:26] > Swing Low Sweet Chariot [3:02] [0:08] Two - 31:34 Deep Elem Blues [5:35]%[0:04] ; Dark Hollow [3:18]%[0:05] ; Friend Of The Devil [3:55]%[0:05] ; Mama Tried [2:52]%[0:04] ; To Lay Me Down [6:18];[0:15] ; Dire Wolf [3:15];[0:14 intro] ; The Ballad Of Casey Jones [5:03];[0:06] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod122217.mp3 thank you for your kindness and for listening to the Deadpod!

This week's Deadpod features a one-set wonder (as it is only the 2nd set that we have a soundboard tape of) of a superb show from December 1st, 1971 from the Boston Music Hall in Boston MA. This is a beautiful recording of the young Dead and I'm quite certain you'll enjoy both the stand alone songs and the insane jamming of 'The Other One'. The ending 'Not Fade Away'>Going  Down the Road Feelin' Bad'>'Not Fade Away' is wonderful as well. Grateful Dead Boston Music Hall Boston, MA 12/1/71 - Wednesday Two Ramble On Rose ; Me And Bobby McGee ; Big Boss Man [4:44] ; Cryptical Envelopment [1:47] > Drums [2:33] > The Other One (1) [14:08] > Me And My Uncle [2:01] > The Other One (2) [8:51] ; Not Fade Away [3:57] > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad [5:53] > Not Fade Away [2:40] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod121517.mp3 My heartfelt thanks to the kind friends whose contributions allow me to produce the Deadpod.

This week - a really fun second set from the early Winter/late Fall of 79. This set starts out with a great Shakedown Street into a drummer's favorite - Samson and Delilah. Jerry slows things down a bit with a beautiful 'High Time' bu tthey pick back up with a long and well jammed-out Estimated->Eyes of the World. The jam going into Drums is particularly tasty. 'Black Peter' comes out of Drums, then they rock out the rest of the set with a 'Around and Around' into 'Johnny B. Goode', and a rockin'  'U.S. Blues' encore.. hope this gets you up and rockin' and keeping those bones warm:) Grateful Dead Cleveland Public Auditorium Cleveland, OH 11/29/79 - Thursday Two Shakedown Street [11:49] -> Samson And Delilah [7:01] ; High Time [7:53] ; Estimated Prophet [13:29] -> Eyes Of The World [16:02] -> Space [8:13] -> Drums [7:#15] -> Black Peter [10:31] -> Around And Around [4:59] -> Johnny B. Goode [4:40] Encore U.S. Blues [5:29] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod120817.mp3 Your support of the Deadpod is very much appreciated!