The Deadpod

This week's Deadpod features a great audience recording of a fabulous show by the late Jerry Moore..this is from January 20, 1979 at Shea's Theater in Buffalo New York.  I think this is a great first set... all of these are performed so very well. I especially love the tone of Garcia's work on 'Sugaree' and 'It's All Over Now'.. at times the vocals are a little low in the mix, but in the words of...

 This week's Deadpod features the second set from January 18, 1979 at Providence Rhode Island.  This is a rather unique second set as there is no drums/space segment here, unique since the band started introducing them as a matter of course back in the spring of 1978. It would be the last show without one for a long time. It's a solid show, in my opinion, the highlight being a raucous 'Trucking' t...

This week's Deadpod features one of the January shows in the Grateful Dead's history - this one from January 18, 1979 in Providence, Rhode Island. This is a nice first set, energetic, especially for the time period (in a month Keith Godchaux would be leaving), and features some nice versions. I am especially fond of the 'Cassidy' here but there are several excellent tunes in this first set.   Grat...

   On this first Friday of 2025, we continue with the conclusion of the Grateful Dead's New Year's Eve concert from December 31, 1971 at Winterland in San Francisco.  A long, fun if somewhat sloppy at times show, the enjoyment the band was having is evident throughout.. After a Bill Graham intro they go into Truckin' then Billy really goes off as they go into a Other One jam, then quite interestin...

Happy New Year! ... but this NYE set by the Dead should put you in the mood to say goodbye to 2024 and to ring in a brand new 2025... This show occurred at an important turning point for the Dead, as they moved forward with many 'new' tunes and with Keith and Donna as members of the band (Donna makes her vocal debut here on 'One More Saturday Night'). The sound on this FM broadcast is generally ve...

Here's a bit of a Christmas present from the Deadpod - a great second set from December 12, 1973 at the Omni in Atlanta.  This features a fine combination of classic tunes and some unusual combos (see Mississipi Half-Step into Me & Bobby McGee, as well as Wharf Rat> Me & My Uncle>Eyes). All the songs here are first rate - the China >Rider is wonderful as is the GSET.. then we get a complete Weathe...

This week's Deadpod takes us down south to Atlanta Georgia, where the Dead played the first of 36 shows at the Omni back on December 12, 1973. This long and very tasty first set features many of the classics, all played quite well. It features only the second time that 'Peggy-O' was played, great sound throughout, and a very long and spacey 'Playin' In the Band' to end this first set.  Next week w...

We welcome December this week by returning to the second set of the band's performance at the Golden Hall in San Diego on November 24, 1979. This set has an upbeat beginning with 'Alabama Getaway' going into a classic 'Greatest Story Every Told' - listen for Phil in that wild transition. 'Ship of Fools' follows, with Jerry giving us a find rendition complete with some extended soloing where it doe...

Happy Thanksgiving As is the custom here on the Deadpod, this Thanksgiving we feature an acoustic set and I think we are especially fortunate this year as this set is one of the very best such sets from 1970. From September 20, 1970 this set from the Fillmore East features both David Grisman and David Nelson on mandolin for much of the set, including a very unusual 'Big Railroad Blues' and an acou...

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...

   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 c...

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 B...

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, hop...

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 f...

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 f...

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 th...

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...

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...

 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...

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 a...

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 liste...

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 e...

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 g...

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...

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 Th...