The Deadpod

This week we have a really fine show from the summer of 1980 - this one takes place at the Uptown Theater in Chicago IL, on August 19th, 1980. They start with a trifecta that really takes off and was only done on two other occasions, the Mississippi Half-Step->Franklin's Tower->Minglewood. Personally I always enjoyed when Franklin's found its way into unusual combinations, and the Minglewood here is really rockin' as well. Other highlights in this fine first set include an excellent Althea, and an extended jam in the (unsual) set closing 'Feel Like a Stranger'. Next week's set 2 is at least equally as fine. Grateful Dead Uptown Theatre Chicago, IL  8/19/80 - Tuesday One Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo [9:54] -> Franklin's Tower [12:11]-> New Minglewood Blues [7:15] ; Dire Wolf [3:13] ; Cassidy [4:37] ; Row Jimmy [11:10] ; Me And My Uncle [3:07] -> Big River [5:53] ; Althea [8:26] ; Easy To Love You [3:48] ; Feel Like A Stranger [8:29] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod081117.mp3 Thanks so much for your kind support of the Deadpod! pray for Peace

Here is the second set from the band's performance on July 25th, 1972 at the Paramount Theater in Portland Oregon. I think its a great performance to hear during these 'Days Between' as it showcases the band at one of the peak times of their career. Check out the rousing 'Greatest Story Ever Told' and the unusually languid 'China Cat->I Know You Rider' that follows. The Other One and the jams around it are the stars here however. I'm happy that this one includes a fine 'Wharf Rat'.. while the ballads during this period didn't match the intensity of the later years, it still holds a special place when I'm thinking about Jer. Grateful Dead Paramount Theatre Portland, OR 7/25/72 - Tuesday Two He's Gone [8:46] ; Greatest Story Ever Told [5:15] (6) ; China Cat Sunflower [6:38] > I Know You Rider [4:55] (7) ; Mexicali Blues [3:25] ; (8) Truckin' [11:58] > The Other One Jam [1:12] > Drums [3:02] > The Other One [27:11] > Wharf Rat [10:56] (9) ; Sugar Magnolia ; Sing Me Back Home [9:34] ; Not Fade Away [5:31] > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad [7:22] > Not Fade Away [3:02] (10) You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod080417.mp3 Love is Real, Not Fade Away thanks Jerry

As we approach what would have been Jerry Garcia's 75th birthday on Tuesday, I always struggle with finding the appropriate show to feature. I settled on a classic show from the summer of 1972 which showcases the band during one of their best periods. This comes to us from July 25th, 1972 at the Paramount Theater in Portland Oregon. It is surely not the 'best' show of this year, perhaps not even the best show of the run, but it is surely a good show; the band is listening to each other and playing together well. Jerry soars. This is a long first set (especially compared to later years). I hope you enjoy it as we take some time to reflect on what could have been. Grateful Dead Paramount Theatre Portland, OR Date 7/25/72 - Tuesday One The Promised Land [3:06] (1) ; Sugaree [7:06] ; (2) Me And My Uncle [2:53] ; Bird Song [8:49] ; Black Throated Wind [5:20] ; Cumberland Blues [5:05] ; Jack Straw [4:41] ; Big Railroad Blues [4:41] ; El Paso [4:36] (3) ; Tennessee Jed [7:20] ; Playing In The Band [13:24] ; Loser [6:36] ; (4) Beat It On Down The Line [3:09] ; Casey Jones [#5:27] (5) (1) Weir: Why thank you. (2) Weir: We're gonna continue the show now with a song that made somebody famous. It goes something like this. (3) Weir: thank you. (4) 14 beats (5) Weir: We're gonna take a short break and we'll be back and we'll be playing for a while after that. You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod072817.mp3 My sincere thanks to the kind folks able to support the Deadpod.. practice kindness :)

This week's Deadpod features the second set from the excellent performance the band gave us from March 24th, 1973 at the Spectrum in Philadelphia PA. This performance is solid throughout, Jerry's vocals are spot on, and the entire band is on the top of their game. This set contains one of the great jams ever, coming out of Truckin' and through to the Dark Star. The China->Rider is no slouch either. Settle back and be transported.. Grateful Dead The Spectrum Philadelphia, PA 3/24/73 - Saturday Two [1:27:42] ; The Promised Land [2:58] ; China Cat Sunflower [8:16] > I Know You Rider [5:16] ; Big River [4:17] ; Stella Blue [7:26] ; Me And My Uncle [2:51] ; He's Gone [3:42] > Truckin' [31:57] > Spanish Jam > Dark Star [4:02] > Sing Me Back Home [9:50] > Sugar Magnolia [7:07] Encore Johnny B. Goode [3:39] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod072117.mp3 Your support keeps the Deadpod alive. thank you my friends. Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.  Dalai Lama

This week's Deadpod is a request from Steve, a great friend of the Deadpod's, who wanted to hear this phenomenal show from March 24th, 1973 at the Philadelphia Spectrum. The first set clocks in at over 90 minutes and is an excellent example of the early 1973 sound, where the band is moving from towards a more jazzy fluid style and its reflected even here int he first set numbers although perhaps more so in next week's set 2. Too many highlights to list here, but of course there is 'The Race Is On', always  a great fvoirte, a nice version of Cumberland Blues. They do the precurssor to 'U.S. Blues', the 'Wave That Flag' here, and a great version of 'Here Comes Sunshine'. Billy is prominent throughout this mix and really drives the band. The band is playing with swagger and I am sure you'll enjoy this classic show from 1973. The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA (3/24/73) Bertha Beat it on Down the Line Don't Ease Me In The Race Is On Cumberland Blues Box of Rain Row Jimmy Jack Straw They Love Each Other Mexicali Blues Tennessee Jed Looks Like Rain Wave That Flag El Paso Here Comes Sunshine Me and Bobby McGee Loser Playing in the Band You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod071417.mp3 Thanks for your support!  Have a great week my friends, Happy (early) birthday Steve! 

Lucky 7's today :) and I hope you'll feel lucky after listening to this week's fine second set from the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mt. View CA on June 21st, 1989. This is a fine set for the period, Jerry is in excellent voice, and Phil is energetic and out front throughout. Jerry breaks out the Fender -Midi outfit during space, which is quite interesting and the addition of the late, longtime E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons adds a nice fill to several spaces in the music, I think. The highlights for me are a fine Estimated Prophet, the wonderful transition from Truckin' to the Other One, and of course a fabulous Morning Dew. A fine show from one of best periods of the latter day Dead. Shoreline Amphitheater (6/21/89) Comments: Summer Solstice Show Pay-Per-View Two Scarlet Begonias [7:46] > Hell In A Bucket [5:44] (1) ; Ship Of Fools [7:44] (1) ; Estimated Prophet [10:14] (1) > Eyes Of The World [12:40] (1) > Drums [#9:52] > Space [15:02] > Truckin' [6:51] (1) > The Other One [5:16] (1)(2) > Morning Dew [11:#42] (1,3) ~ Turn On Your Love Light [8:12] (1) Encore Brokedown Palace [5:23#] Comments (1) with Clarence Clemons You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod070717.mp3 Thank you for your support of the Deadpod.. Let's all try to be kind :)

Here we are already at the end of June.. summer is flying by and for alot of people this is the start of a big 4th of July celebration.. I decided to bring you what I consider a very good show from the summer solstice of 1989 - June 21st, 1989 from the Shoreline Ampitheater. This was originally offered as a Pay Per View broadcast so some of you may have watched it. Despite playing this first set in a hot, sunny afternoon (to accommodate East Coast viewers), I think they put on a fine performance here of first set standards..  Grateful DeadShoreline Amphitheatre Mountain View, CA 6/21/89 One Jam [0:47] ;Hide Away [1:39] ;Touch Of Grey [6:10] ;New Minglewood Blues [7:04] ;Ramble On Rose [6:00] ;Box Of Rain [4:47] ;Dire Wolf [#3:07] ;When I Paint My Masterpiece [5:07] ;Row Jimmy [9:55] ;Cassidy [6:20] ;Deal [10:16] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod063017.mp3 I hope you all have a very enjoyable and safe 4th of July holiday!  Thanks for your financial support of the Deadpod! I really appreciate it. 

This week we are back in Miami for the 2nd set of an incredible show the Dead played back on June 23rd, 1974. This set starts with a beautiful jam into Ship of Fools. The pace picks up with a sprightly Big River, featuring some great Garcia runs. Jerry slows the pace again with a soulful, 'Black Peter'. 'Around and Around' gets the show swinging again and them we're transported to deep space for a wonderful 'Dark Star ->Spanish Jam' - this one was chosen to appear on the 'So Many Roads' compilation for good reason.. sit down and soak this up. The jam dissolves into a swinging 'U.S. Blues'; I really enjoy Keith's contributions here, a great jazzy take. A nice 'Uncle John's Band' follows and goes into a set closing 'One More Saturday Night'. They return with a 'Casey Jones' encore. Jai-Alai Fronton, Miami, FL (6/23/74) Three Jam [4:09] > Ship Of Fools [6:09] ; Big River [4:54] ; Black Peter [9:44] ; Around And Around [5:08] ; Dark Star Jam [18:15] > Spanish Jam [4:02] > U.S. Blues [8:03] ; Uncle John's Band [7:59] > One More Saturday Night [4:45] Encore Casey Jones [5:50] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod062317.mp3 My thanks to the kind friends who have supported the Deadpod and make it  possible!

This week's Deadpod features a classic from the Wall of Sound era - June 23rd 1974 - from Miami FL. This is a great big first set, to go with that great big sound stage - clocking in at over 1:47, and featuring some excellent versions of Dead standards along with the only time they ever played the great 'Let It Rock'. The sound is a bit muffled at first, but clears up fairly nicely, there are some anomalies here and there -this setup had its issues - but overall it sounds great. There's a fine lead in to Mississippi Half-Step and Jack Straw is really rockin'. Jerry does an excellent version of 'To Lay Me Down' and getting the entire 'Weather Report Suite' is a treat. A China Doll closer to set 1 shows us just how unusual this first set was.. Jai-Alai Fronton, Miami, FL (6/23/74) One Ramble on Rose Black-Throated Wind Mississippi Half-Step Beat it on Down the Line Row Jimmy Jack Straw Let it Rock Cumberland Blues El Paso To Lay Me Down WRS Prelude WRS Part 1 Let it Grow China Doll You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod061617.mp3 Hope you are having a marvelous summer! I'm envious of those of you getting to see Dead & Co! Enjoy!  Remember the Deadpod relies on your support to publish each week .. Thank you! 

This week's Deadpod continues with the band's second set from their terrific performance on 6/19/76 at the Capitol Theater in Passaic NJ. The tempo, as in much of this period is more controlled and a little slower.. but everyone is blending in and doing a great job. They open with a nice 'Might As Well' (not yet over played :), then follow with Samson and Delilah. A terrific High Time follows - a song we don't get to hear very often. Let It Grow follows, split by a short drum segment, then a rocking Dancin' in The Streets. A real Cosmic Charlie follows, again, with a slower tempo, then the band gets everyone moving with Around and Around, Goin' Down the Road, and since it was Saturday, One More Saturday Night. They return with a great Not Fade Away encore, not the usual choice for that slot. Grateful Dead Capitol Theatre Passaic, NJ 6/19/76 - Saturday Two Might As Well [5:44];[1:28] ; Samson And Delilah [6:17];[1:36] ; High Time [9:17];[1:38] (1) ; Let It Grow [6:04] > Drums [3:24] > Let It Grow [3:03] % Dancing In The Street [10:05] > Drums [0:11] > Cosmic Charlie [7:58];[3:32] (1) ; Around And Around [6:22] > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad [7:06] > One More Saturday Night [4:16] Encore Not Fade Away You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod060917.mp3 I surely hope that this finds you well and enjoying a beautiful Summer. Thanks for listening and for your support.

Once in awhile I stumble upon a request that for some odd reason or other I never got around to playing .. that's what happened this week and that chance discovery leads to the happy selection for this week's Deadpod, June 19th, 1976 from Passaic New Jersey. While this concert was broadcast on FM radio, and many of you may have had it on tape, I think the quality of the performance merits its' selection for the Deadpod. The band, recently coming out of its 'retirement', performs most of these songs flawlessly. I really enjoy the exploration in 'Slipknot' and Garcia throughout. Certainly they are tighter and more controlled during much of this first set, but the 'Playin' in the Band' which closes this first set and clocks in at just under 18 minutes, brings back the great jamming of the earlier 70s Dead.  Grateful Dead Capitol Theatre Passaic, NJ 6/19/76 - Saturday One Help on the Way Slipknot! Franklin's Tower Music Never Stopped Brown Eyed Women Cassidy They Love Each Other Looks Like Rain Tennessee Jed Playin' in the Band You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod060217.mp3 Wishing you a wonderful start to the Summer! Those of you lucky enough to catch Dead & Co. know I envy you! Thanks to my friends who are kind enough to help support the Deadpod! and don't forget to join us on our facebook page and/or send me your requests!

Wow, Memorial Day weekend already! Hope you have some fun plans to welcome in summer! Hopefully you'll find this wild show from 1969 to be the perfect complement to some your times this weekend.. This comes to us from May 31st, 1969 at McArthur Court at the University of Oregon. Always a crazy show as you know the Pranksters will be out in force - and are they ever - especially on the first few songs as you will hear. (if you don't care to listen to Ken Babbs insane rap, just fast forward about 10 minutes after the Cold Rain and Snow :) The band settles down afterwards and puts on a typically manic 1969 performance - Garcia is if anything, overly excited at times - but this is quintessential early Dead and I hope you enjoy it! Pigpen is excellent on an alltime 'Lovelight' , Garcia gives a very extended version of  'He Was A Friend of Mine' and the 'Dark Star' that follows is to me, the highlight of the set, played in the familiar 'Live Dead' style. Sadly 'Cosmic Charlie' is cut on the tape, but there is plenty here for any fan of early dead - over two and a half hours of Live Dead for your Memorial Day Weekend .. ;) Grateful Dead McArthur Court - University of Oregon Eugene, OR 5/31/69 - Saturday One - 1:35:43 Hard To Handle [3:57];[0:55] ; Cold Rain And Snow [4:13];[6:15] ; Yellow Dog Story [1:40];[2:45] ; Green Green Grass Of Home [4:05];[1:04] ; Me And My Uncle [3:02];[0:46] ; Cryptical Envelopment [1:56] > Drums [0:54] > The Other One [10:46] > Cryptical Envelopment [3:#11] > Sittin On Top Of The World [3:28];[0:58] ; It Hurts Me Too [5:34];[0:59] ; Turn On Your Love Light [29:04] Two - 43:56 He Was A Friend Of Mine [14:27];[0:16] % Dark Star [23:58] > Doin' That Rag [4:37#] > Cosmic Charlie [#0:30] Encore - 12:42 It's All Over Now, Baby Blue [8:51];[0:10] ; And We Bid You Good Night [3:11] Comments Total time [2:32:21]. Ken Babbs & sundry other pranksters marshall the chaos between the first few songs. Jerry plays pedal steel guitar on Green Grass. At 1:52 into the Cryptical reprise there is a cut ; probably several minutes are missing here. It's anybody's guess how much of the second set may be missing. You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod052617.mp3 Thank you for your support of the Deadpod! Be safe and have a great weekend.

This week we get shown the light with the second set from the band's performance on May 5th, 1977 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in New Haven CT. Just as solid as the first set, this is an example of just how finely tuned the group was during this time. Garcia in particular is outstanding throughout. Bertha starts this off and while it is played a bit more slowly than usual, the tempo is pleasing and Garcia's soaring solos highlight a great opener. A solid 'Estimated Prophet' follows, 'Scarlet->Fire' comes next (after a long tuneup) and leads into the heart of this show, as the Fire goes into a somewhat abbreviated 'Good Lovin' (no drums/space here) then into a wonderful St. Stephen.  The boys close with a nice Sugar Magnolia, and return with a Johnny B. Goode encore as befits this great show. Grateful Dead New Haven Coliseum New Haven, CT 5/5/77 - Thursday Two Bertha [6:43] ; Estimated Prophet [8:41] ; Scarlet Begonias [10:47] > Fire On The Mountain [12:01] > Good Lovin' [5:52] ; Saint Stephen (1) [11:40] > Sugar Magnolia [8:37] Encore Johnny B. Goode [4:08] Comments (1) Truckin' tease in jam You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod051917.mp3 I have to apologize - I haven't had a chance to send out the copies of 5/8/77 Cornell yet to the the lucky winners - spent much of the last week with a family health issue.. I'll get these out soon!! thanks for entering! Big thanks and hugs to those of you who support the Deadpod!

Every May I try to pay tribute to the mindblowing music the band produced 40 years ago.. This may be one of the last times I'm able to as I've featured almost everything that hasn't been released. But this week's selection I have yet to feature and it is simply one of the best first sets of that very special year. This comes to us from May 5th, 1977 at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in New Haven, CT. This show has all the  features that make this time special in the band's history are here, and evidenced right away in the outstanding version of 'Promised Land' that starts off the night. But they don't let off the gas after this smoking version of the Chuck Berry classic... Garcia follows with one of the very best versions of 'Sugaree' that the boys every did together - almost 15 minutes of pure jamming perfection. There is not a bad song in this first set, and every one harmonizes together so well as to mark a highpoint in the band's history. Veterans' Memorial Coliseum, New Haven, CT (5/5/77) Promised Land Sugaree Mama Tried El Paso Tennessee Jed Looks Like Rain Deal Lazy Lightnin' Supplication Peggy-O Music Never Stopped You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod051217.mp3 The lucky winners of the Cornell 5/8/77 sets should be receiving their sets next week.. thanks for all the kind words..  Most of all, thank you for listening to and supporting the Deadpod.. 

This week we continue with the second set of the Grateful Dead's performance on April 21st, 1971 at the Rhode Island Auditorium in Providence Rhode Island. This is one of those rare shows where the 2nd set is probably shorter than the first set, but it still contains some excellent music. Clearly the highlight of this set is the almost 15 minute long 'Good Lovin'' featuring some classic Pigpen don't overlook the Not Fade Away->Goin' Down the Road->Not Fade Away trifecta that closes the set. They return for a sweet double encore of 'Uncle John's Band' and 'Johnny B. Goode'. Grateful Dead Rhode Island Auditorium Providence, RI 4/21/71 - Wednesday Two Bertha [5:27] ; Sugar Magnolia [5:51] ; Good Lovin' [14:46] > Not Fade Away [4:00] > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad [7:05] > Not Fade Away [2:31] Encore Uncle John's Band [5:41] > Johnny B. Goode [3:37] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod050417.mp3 Please look to the post following this one for a chance to win a copy of the newly released CD - 'Cornell 5/8/77'!! My thanks to you, my kind friends for listening to and supporting the Deadpod.