The Deadpod

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...

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...

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 -...

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...

 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 i...

 Here is the second set from the band's performance at the Boston Music Hall on June 10, 1976. Samson always seemed like a favorite to break out in Boston, and revs things up for a fine 'Help>Slip>Frank' here. Nice harmonies here, and the Slipknot features some upfront work by Keith. Bobby does a fine 'Let It Grow', then we have a mid-set 'Friend of the Devil' - a bit more spacey than usual, but t...

A fine show from the comeback year of 1976 graces this week's Deadpod. This is from June 10, 1976 at the Boston Music Hall in Boston. The thirteen song first set should provide plenty of chances to reflect on how fortunate we hare to have this music after all these years..  In general this set, as most from this time period, shows the band concentrating on tight arrangements with powerful singing,...

This week the Deadpod returns to Milwaukee for the second set of the band's performance from May 30, 1980.  A fine Scarlet>Fire opens this set, including some excellent jamming in the transition (by the way check out this week's Deadcast for an excellent discussion of 'Scarlet Begonias' here: https://www.dead.net/deadcast ) A seemingly short 'Playing In the Band' follows, but there is some excelle...

 I think we have a good one to send you off on your Memorial Day weekend - this comes to us from May 30, 1980 at the Milwaukee Auditorium in Milwaukee Wisconsin.  The first set starts with a fine 'Jack Straw' - the first minute forty is supplied by an audience tape but hold on because the rest is a fine soundboard. The transition jams from Jack Straw to Franklin's Tower are off the chart.. Jerry i...

This week on the Deadpod we continue with the second set from the band's performance at the Greet Theater in Berkeley California on May 21, 1982.  The set kicks off with a tight 'Playing In the Band' highlighted by contributions from Brent that are just exactly perfect. An uptempo 'Uncle John's Band' follows, the jam leading out into drums has a nice interplay between Phil and Jerry that is quite...

This week we go to the wonderful Greek Theater in Berkeley California for the band's performance on May 21, 1982. I think this was one of the better years in terms of the band's history and this is not only a fine recording but a well-played set that I'm sure you'll enjoy.  The first set starts with a 'Bertha>Greatest Story' combo, one that was fairly new at the time. Jerry slows it down with a 'F...

This week's Deadpod takes us back to Irvine California for the second set of the show from April 23, 1988. This second set is well-executed, tight yet containing several delightful spacey interludes. The opening 'Playin In the Band', while short, is quite interesting and gives way to an excellent 'Crazy Fingers'. That leads into 'Uncle John's Band', afterwards the band goes into a rather extended...

This week's Deadpod takes us to sunny California where we will get to hear a nice show from the spring of 1988. This one comes from April 23 at Irvine Meadows.  The boys open with a fine 'Hell In a Bucket' with Weir in full voice. 'Cold Rain and Snow' follows, then we get the first of several fun little interlude before a great version of 'Hey Pockey Way' with Brent doing a fine version.  Since th...