The Deadpod

This week's Deadpod takes us back to the Fall tour of 1979 - this time at San Diego for the Saturday night show that took place on November 24. This first set opens with a rare and refreshing 'China Cat>I Know You Rider'. Love hearing this as an opener and I think it sets a nice atmosphere for the show. Cowboy songs come next then a really nice 'Peggy-O' and 'Cassidy' which are both highlights of this set.  A youthful sounding Brent gives us a nice 'Easy To Love You' which goes into a longer 'Althea'. They close things with 'Passenger'.   Grateful Dead Golden Hall - San Diego Community Concourse San Diego, CA 11/24/1979 - Saturday One      China Cat Sunflower [6:08] > I Know You Rider [8:22]   Mama Tried [2:39] > Mexicali Blues [4:28] Peggy-O [6:58] Cassidy [4:51]   Easy To Love You [3:27] > Althea [7:59]   Passenger [5:04]  You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod112224.mp3  Be sure and pick up the Deadpod early on Thanksgiving for our annual Thanksgiving special... 

   Here's a fun second set from November 1985 for this week's Deadpod. 'Touch of Grey'  into 'Samson' starts things off with some nice Jerry solos in Samson... The 'High Time' that follows makes up for the flubbed ending on Samson with some excellent Jerry vocals. 'Let It Grow' is probably the highlight of the pre-drums segment however, with some excellent improvisational jamming. That spirit is carried through on the Drums and Space. 'Gimme Some Lovin' coming out of space is fun and leads into a sweet 'Stella Blue'. The remainder features some sharp rockin' and concludes with a fun 'In the Midnight Hour' encore.   Grateful Dead Community War Memorial Auditorium Rochester, NY 11/7/1985 - Thursday Two      Touch Of Grey > Samson And Delilah High Time Let It Grow > Drums > Space > Gimme Some Lovin' > Stella Blue > Throwing Stones > Not Fade Away Encore      In The Midnight Hour  You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:  http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod111524.mp3  I hope you enjoy the set.. and thanks for your kind support!

This week we have one of the finest shows from the Fall tour of 1985. This comes to us from Rochester New York on November 7, 1985. The opening 'Dancing In the Street' is strong and cohesive - we can tell we are in for a special night. The 'Dire Wolf' presents Jerry in fine voice. While Bobby is a bit cheesy on 'CC Rider' the 'Loser' that follows is excellent. The country 'Mama Tried'>'Mexicalli Blues' is a great lead in to a rockin' 'Cumberland Blues'.  While 'Beat it On Down the Line' is also tight and well-played, the set closing 'Deal' is a tad fast, but still always a nice set closer..      Grateful Dead Community War Memorial Auditorium Rochester, NY 11/7/1985 - Thursday One      Dancing In The Street Dire Wolf C C Rider Loser Mama Tried > Mexicali Blues Cumberland Blues Beat It On Down The Line Deal   You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:  http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod110824.mp3  My sincere thanks for your kind support and well wishes!!

With the passing of Phil Lesh I decided to bring you a complete Phil & Friends show from the last time I was lucky enough to see him - March 12, 2023 in Chicago. I really enjoyed the show and hope you dig it.  Words can't express what the man meant to the Dead or the scene. We were lucky to have been able to be in his presence from time to time.   I know this makes a longer Deadpod than usual, hope it doesn't mess anything up for you.    Phil Lesh And Friends The Salt Shed Chicago, Illinois 3/12/2023 1st Set Jam > Sunshine Of Your Love > Deep Elem Blues Bertha He's Gone > Pride Of Cucamunga Cassidy Sugaree 2nd Set Jam > Low Spark Of High-Heeled Boys > Scarlet Begonias > Mountains Of The Moon Uncle John's Band Eyes Of The World The Wheel Shakedown Street Encore: Phil Banter Band Introductions Rock Steady Phil Lesh - Bass And Vocals Warren Haynes - Guitar And Vocals Grahame Lesh - Guitar And Vocals Jason Crosby - Keyboards And Vocals Natalie Cressman - Trombone And Vocals Jennifer Hartswick - Trumpet And Vocals James Casey - Saxophone And Vocals John Molo - Drums You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod110124.mp3  

This week's Deadpod features the second set from the band's performance at the Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, NC on October 10, 1989. A good example, I think, of why this was a high water mark in the band's performance history, this second set showcases their ability to improvise both in spots intended and unintended.  The latter I think, is shown in the opening 'Blow Away', which despite some forgotten lyrics and miscues turns into a fine opening number. The jamming in the 'Help>Slip>Frank', especially out of Franklins' and into a fine drums, is an example of some more expected, but nevertheless, successful creativity. Lastly I have to point out how good 'Not Fade Away is here.. far from being mailed in...   Grateful Dead Charlotte Coliseum Charlotte, NC 10/22/1989 - Sunday Two      Blow Away [10:00] Samson And Delilah [6:20] Help On The Way [3:44] > Slipknot! [6:33] > Franklin's Tower [9:40] > Jam [7:#17] > Drums [5:55] > Space [8:43] > I Need A Miracle [4:04] > Stella Blue [8:36] > Throwing Stones [9:11] > Not Fade Away [7:51#] Encore      Black Muddy River [5:53]   You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod102524.mp3  Again, thanks for your well wishes and patience with my (typing) brevity!

Howdy! I figured it was about time to get back in the saddle and get another Deadpod out to my wonderful audience.. First off thanks for your kind get well wishes! They all have meant so much..forgive me for not answering each of them, but I'm having some serious trouble typing with alot of numbness in my right hand since my operation.. This week I thought it appropriate to listen to a fine show from the great state of North Carolina, I could only wish that I could help the folks there who have been ravaged by the terrible storms..  This is a well played show from the fall of '89.. a nice Foolish Heart starts things, and frankly I enjoyed every song in this first set. The highlight might be 'Bird Song' where Jerry  uses a number of ineresting MIDI effects...  The Johnny B Goode encore is also a nice touch..      Grateful Dead Charlotte Coliseum Charlotte, NC 10/22/1989 - Sunday One       Foolish Heart [8:03]   New Minglewood Blues [7:28]   Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo [5:56]   Queen Jane Approximately [6:00]   Ramble On Rose [6:47]   Beat It On Down The Line [3:13]   Bird Song [14:12]   Johnny B. Goode [3:55]  You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod101824.mp3  Again thank you for your patience and your kindness..

This week the Deadpod travels to January of 1980 for an unusual benefit show that the Dead appeared at for Cambodian refugees in Oakland, along with Jefferson Starship, the Beach Boys and Carlos Santana and John Cippolina.  This is a tight and well played set throughout. The opening 'Jack Straw' into 'Franklin's Tower' is crisp and edgy. 'Minglewood' is a standout as well. I really enjoy all of these, but the 'Playin' is probably the highlight, although the Santana solo in 'Not Fade Away' is a treat as well; its interesting to hear these three great guitarists playing together..    Grateful Dead Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena Oakland, CA  1/13/1980 - Sunday One      Jack Straw [5:42] > Franklin's Tower [11:44] New Minglewood Blues [6:56] Tennessee Jed [8:21] > Looks Like Rain [7:12] > Don't Ease Me In [7:16] Playing In The Band [10:41] > Drums [7:15] > Not Fade Away (1) [14:27] > Sugar Magnolia (1) [7:30] Encore      U.S. Blues [#4:18] Comments     Cambodian Refugee Benefit. (1) with Carlos Santana and John Cippolina.   It is with some sadness that I have to announce that this will be the last Deadpod for some time... I'm scheduled for open heart surgery next week and I'm not sure when I'll be able to be back here sharing these great songs with you. Don't give up on me as I don't plan to give up.. I'll be back as soon as I am able but in the meantime I'd encourage you to listen to some of the old Deadpods - the entire run is still available..  Keep your light on and thanks my friends for all of your support and for listening.. 

A fine second set awaits you on this week's Deadpod as we explore the second set from the band's performance at the Cumberland Coutny civic Center in Portland Maine on September 17, 1982. This is a matrix recording - but the first two songs are a mix of several audience sources as the soundboard for those doesn't seem to exist.. 'Touch of Grey' and 'Man Smart, Woman Smarter' are played uptempo and crisply..Their followed by a beautiful rendition of 'High Time'; Jerry's emotive vocals just hint at how expressive this set will be.  'Estimated' follows, then a delicate 'Eyes of the World'. Following drums and space Weir teases a Spanish Jam but they eventual let Phil take the helm and lead them into the powerful 'Other One' intro.. the crowd loves it and when they finish and go into 'Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad' there is a fair amount of sing along..  The highlight of the set in my opinion is the tremendous version of 'Morning Dew' that follows.. Jerry is at his most expressive here.. words won't do it justice.  A fine 'Sugar Magnolia' closes the set and a 'US Blues' encore caps the evening...     Grateful Dead Cumberland County Civic Center Portland, ME 9/17/1982 - Friday Two      Touch Of Grey [6:33] > Man Smart (Woman Smarter) [5:46] ; High Time [7:16] ; Estimated Prophet [12:27] > Eyes Of The World [8:53] > Drums > Space [3:58] > The Other One [10:56] > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad [5:37] > Morning Dew [8:52] > Sugar Magnolia [8:43] Encore      U.S. Blues [4:58]   You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:  http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod091324.mp3 May the music lift you up .. thanks for your kind support.

Hey Now! This week the Deadpod takes us to Portland Maine, for a show that took place at the Cumberland County Civic Center on September 17, 1982.  This 12 song first set is a concise reading of many of their standards. Brent and Phil are upfront in the mix and overall I find these quite enjoyable. There is a false start in 'Me & My Uncle' which is quite unusual, and we have 'Dupree's' 2 weeks in a row- I'm sure that's a Deadpod record ;)   Grateful Dead Cumberland County Civic Center Portland, ME 9/17/1982 - Friday One      Bertha [6:25] > The Promised Land [4:02] Candyman [6:31] > C C Rider [8:16] Althea [7:47] Me And My Uncle [3:15] > Big River [5:36] Dupree's Diamond Blues [5:48] It's All Over Now [7:04] West L.A. Fadeaway [7:35] Throwing Stones [5:40] > Deal [5:43]   You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:  http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod090624.mp3 Many thanks for your kind support!

 Holy Smokes! It's Labor Day weekend!  Hopefully this second set from the second Field Trip at the Oregon Country Fairgrounds can help you get in the mood for some fun and frolic as we celebrate the passing of another summer...  This one starts with the debut of 'Keep Your Day Job' -- and not in the encore slot!  Another debut - 'West LA Fadeaway' is also on the menu here. The pre-drums 'Playin In the Band' lifts things up while the post drums 'Wheel'>'Other One' is probably the highlight of this set..  Jerry pulls out a very unusual 'Dupree's Diamond Blues'  as the encore here which I'm sure delighted the faithful.. Grateful Dead Oregon Country Fairgrounds Veneta, OR 8/28/1982 - Saturday Two      Keep Your Day Job [5:06]* > Man Smart (Woman Smarter) [6:42] West L.A. Fadeaway [7:03]* Far From Me [3:34] > Playing In The Band [11:03] > Drums > Space [5:56] > The Wheel [5:50] > The Other One [8:04] > Truckin' [6:11] > Black Peter [8:23] > Playing In The Band [3:18] > One More Saturday Night [4:33] Encore      Dupree's Diamond Blues [5:48]      *First time played  You can listen to this week's Deadpod here; http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod083024.mp3   On a very sad note, this one is dedicated to the memory of Steve Silberman who just passed .. sleep in the stars brother.... 

This week's Deadpod features the second 'Field Trip' at the Oregon Country Fairgrounds in Veneta Oregon on August 28,1982. While not as famous, or as monumental, as the first Field Trip immortalized in the 'Sunshine Daydream' movie, this show has plenty of stellar moments and is certainly worthy of a listen.  While the first set is not as packed with jaw-dropping moments as parts of set 2, there are plenty of interesting moments here. Brent and Jerry are both in fine form throughout. You can certainly tell when the boys get it all together here at the end of the set, with a wonderful 'China>Rider'.Just as in the first field trip, this combo gets everyone shakin' their bones  and the band seems to hit the X factor here.      Grateful Dead Oregon Country Fairgrounds Veneta, OR 8/28/1982 - Saturday One      Bertha > New Minglewood Blues   Tennessee Jed   Me And My Uncle > Big River   Althea   It's All Over Now   China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider  You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:  http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod082324.mp3 be well and look out for each other....  my thanks for your kind support.. 

This week's second set from the August 6, 1971 at the Hollywood Paladium is a classic.  It opens with 'St. Stephan' - they'd only play this one five more times before 1976.. a nice 'Truckin' goes into drums, then they roar into 'The Other One' and segue flawlessly into 'Me & My Uncle' - the first time they tried this and it worked perfectly.. they then go back into the 'Other One' but if you listen you can hear a WRS prelude tease before they do... Things mellow a bit with 'Deal' but the rest of the set is just as intense with 'Sugar Magnolia' then a great 'Morning Dew' and Pigpen lets it loose with a 23 minute plus 'Lovelight'..      Grateful Dead Hollywood Palladium Hollywood, CA 8/6/1971 - Friday Two      Saint Stephen [6:16] Truckin' [6:50] > Drums [3:56] > The Other One [7:29] > Me And My Uncle [3:08] > The Other One [5:41] Deal [5:05] Sugar Magnolia [6:18] Morning Dew [10:42] Turn On Your Love Light [23:38]  You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:  http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod081624.mp3 Thank you for your kind support of the Deadpod!   

As we come to the end of the Days Between, and reflect on what Jerry gave us I thought it appropriate to present a classic show from when the band was young and ferocious. This comes to us from August 6, 1971 at the Hollywood Palladium. Long considered a classic, I'm sure you'll agree if you haven't yet been fortunate enough to hear this performance. This first set contains no clunkers.. I think each of these songs is a top-notch rendition, but for sure I have to point out 'Mr. Charlie' and 'Cumberland Blues'.. but the highlight here is clearly the great version of 'Hard to Handle'.. Pigpen is at his finest ...      Grateful Dead Hollywood Palladium Hollywood, CA 8/6/1971 - Friday One      Bertha [5:52] Playing In The Band [4:34] Loser [6:29] Mr. Charlie [3:27] El Paso [7:07] Cumberland Blues [5:03] Brokedown Palace [4:57] Me And Bobby McGee [5:47] Hard To Handle [7:16] Casey Jones [4:55]      You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:  http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod080924.mp3 Our love is real, not fade away....

This week we conclude the band's performance on July 26, 1972 at the Paramount Theater in Portland, Oregon.  Clearly the 'Dark Star' we open with is the highlight of this set, if not the show. It traverses the heavens for over half and hour and features some excellent improvisational displays (see the Dark Star map below). It leads into a lovely and soulful 'Comes A Time'. 'Sugar Mag' follows to get things rockin' again, and that leads into a 'Brown Eyed Women' which is unfortunately cut on the tape. Another Jerry ballad  - 'Stella Blue' follows and then the band revs it up for a fine 'Not Fade Away>Going Down the Road>Not Fade Away' conclusion to this epic set.  'One More Saturday Night' is the encore, although this one was played on Wednesday :)   Grateful Dead Paramount Theatre Portland, OR 7/26/1972 - Wednesday Two (con't): Dark Star [31:13] (5) > Comes A Time [7:03] Sugar Magnolia [7:56] Brown Eyed Women [3#:38] Beat It On Down The Line [3:06] Stella Blue [8:06] Not Fade Away [5:15] > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad [8:20] > Not Fade Away [3:22] Encore      One More Saturday Night [5:32] (5) Dark Star Map: Dark Star theme/Jam [9:22] > theme/Verse one [1:49] > Spacy Jam [1:08] > Bass and Drums [1:05] > Bass, Drums and Piano [1:10] > All but Jerry Jam [0:30] > Jam [3:45] > Spacier [1:15] > Space [4:05] > tiger [1:00] > Uptempo Spacy Jam [2:50] > theme/Verse 2 [2:53] > Comes a time.   You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:  http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod080224.mp3  hard to believe it's time for another 'Days Between'.... hope you are well and thanks  for your kind support. 

This week we continue with a show from 52 years ago today - 7/26/72. We will pick up with the ending of set 1 then work into the second set..  We start with a sweet  'Playin' In the Band' - Donna is introduced before hand and its a fine start to this week's Deadpod. They close set one with ' Casey Jones'. Set 2 begins with a strong 'Promised Land' then goes into 'He's Gone' which had debuted only a few months before. 'Uncle' follows then 'You Win Again' which would only be played 2 more times before it was retired in September. A high energy 'Greatest Story' follows and we close this edition of the Deadpod with some fine Garcia work on 'Ramble on Rose'..   Grateful Dead Paramount Theater Portland, OR 7/26/1972 - Wednesday One (continued)     Playing In The Band [12:27] Casey Jones [4:48] Two      The Promised Land [2:58] He's Gone [8:46] Me And My Uncle [3:05] You Win Again [4:02] Greatest Story Ever Told [4:57] Ramble On Rose [6:09]  You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:  http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod072624.mp3  Stay tuned for the climax of this show on next week's Deadpod!   thank you for your kind support!   

This week's Deadpod features a massive show from the summer of 1972. This show is so big that I'm splitting it into three Deadpods - this week we will hear most of set 1..  This features some fine renditions of some of their standards - highlights include a great Sugaree, a mid--set China>Rider and a raucous Tennesee Jed.    This one goes out to Steve - happy Birthday!   Grateful Dead Paramount Theater Portland, OR 7/26/1972 - Wednesday One     Cold Rain And Snow [527] Black Throated Wind [5:59] Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo [6:59] Mexicali Blues [3:29] Sugaree [7:14] (1) El Paso [4:20] China Cat Sunflower [6:44] > I Know You Rider [4:51] (2) Jack Straw [4:54] Tennessee Jed [7:35]      (1) Lesh: Who What When Who When Where Who What Oh sorry. Could you repeat that please? (2) China Cat Sunflower [3:22] > Jam [3:22]    You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:  http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod071924.mp3  Hope you are having a fabulous summer!  thanks so much for your kind support

This week we have the second set from the band's performance at Alpine Valley on July 7, 1984. This is a strong set throughout, with the band really coming together I think to deliver some great versions of these songs.  'Samson and Delilah' opens with the drummers providing the familiar beat.. Jerry follows with 'Cold Rain and Snow' - always appropriate for a July show. They then seg into 'Playin' In the Band', while not overly long, this version does feature some interesting Brent effects and seqs interestingly into 'China Doll'. Jerry hits this one just right and then they move into a very good Drums segment. They come out of drums surprisingly into 'Terrapin Station' as you think you hear some 'Other One' notes being played.. but the Terrapin is told well and goes into Bobby doing 'Throwing Stones' with a few different lyrics. 'Not Fade Away' follows, but is short, as Phil insists they move into 'Lovelight'! the first since NYE 82.. Bobby does a fine version here, and they close with a return to 'Not Fade Away'.  A 'Brokedown Palace' encore prepares the faithful for that long trek up the hill...    Grateful Dead 1984-07-07 Saturday Alpine Valley Music Theatre - East Troy, WI Two      Samson And Delilah Cold Rain And Snow Playing In The Band > China Doll > Space > Drums > Space > Terrapin Station > Throwing Stones > Not Fade Away > Turn On Your Love Light > Not Fade Away Encore      Brokedown Palace  You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:  http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod071224.mp3  Enjoy and be kind :) 

This week we travel to one of the beloved summer venues - Alpine Valley - for a show that took place back on July 7, 1984, a Saturday night.  The first set starts with 'Hell In A Bucket', then moves into a fine 'Dire Wolf' Jerry really belts it out here, and its fun to listen to. 'New New Minglewood Blues' follows with Bobby telling us its 'T for Alpine Valley' .. 'Dupree's Diamond Blues follows - a bit slower, but still one that brings a smile. 'My Brother Esau' shares Bobby's anti-war message. 'Brown Eyed Women' may be the highlight of the set with some strong work by Jerry here. 'Looks like Rain' goes into 'Might as Well' to close the set, and Jerry sounds like his voice needs a break..   Grateful Dead 1984-07-07 Saturday Alpine Valley Music Theatre - East Troy, WI Set 1: Hell In A Bucket Dire Wolf New New Minglewood Blues Dupree's Diamond Blues My Brother Esau Brown-Eyed Women Looks Like Rain > Might As Well  You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:  http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod070524.mp3  Have a safe and fun holiday weekend!  thanks for your kind support of the Deadpod! 

This week's conclusion of the band's performance down at Eugene on June 24,1990 displays several sides of the band which highlight their agility and craft at putting together a setlist.  From the opening sequence which I'd describe as light and bouncy - 'Foolish Heart' into 'Man Smart, Woman Smarter' they move into 'Standing on the Moon' and 'Box of Rain'. They follow with a typically animated Bob Weir on 'Estimated' into 'He's Gone' - all before Drums and Space. He's Gone doesn't end with the mellow a cappella  fade out they often employed, instead they move into drums and space and build into a great post-drums 'Other One'>Wharf Rat>Sugar Magnolia conclusion to a great show. The 'Brokedown Palace' encore caps off a fine Sunday show...   Grateful Dead Autzen Stadium - University of Oregon Eugene, OR 6/24/1990 - Sunday Two     Foolish Heart > Man Smart, Woman Smarter > Standing On The Moon ; Box Of Rain ; Estimated Prophet > He's Gone > Drums > Space > The Other One > Wharf Rat > Sugar Magnolia Encore     Brokedown Palace   You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:  http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod062824.mp3   Have a safe and FUN July 4th!!  and thanks for your kind support. 

 It sure feels like summertime here, and one of my favorite summer time tours was back in 1990.. this week we go back to Eugene for a fine show that took place on June 24, 1990 at Autzen Stadium at the University of Oregon.  The first set starts with a fine Help>Slip>Frank - Jerry has some great leads here.. Masterpiece follows and Bob does the vocals just right. Loose Lucy made its reappearance in the Spring of 90, and Jerry breaks it out here for the sixth time since 1974.  Brent shines 'Just A Little Light'.. a personal favorite of mine. Picasso Moon and Candyman follow and the set closes with an excellent 'Let It Grow'...    Grateful Dead Autzen Stadium - University of Oregon Eugene, OR 6/24/1990 - Sunday One     Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Franklin's Tower When I Paint My Masterpiece Loose Lucy Just A Little Light Picasso Moon Candyman Let It Grow   You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:  http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod062124.mp3    I'll be bopping at the Sphere tonight.. hope you have a wonderful week!