The Deadpod

Happy Thanksgiving!  As always, an acoustic Dead set is on the menu for today, a thank you to all of you for your support of the Deadpod! This lovely recording is from Betty Cantor's reels and is a fine representation of the band's acoustic work during this period. This is from the Warfield in San Francisco on September 27, 1980.  While this recording is missing the 'Dire Wolf' opener that appears...

This week we have a 'rare and different' tune indeed. The second set from the band's performance in Cleveland begins unlike any other in the band's storied history. They come out and drop into a free-form, unique jam that winds it way through any number of modes, but is sure to take you with it if you allow it to. A short 'Drums' kicks in once the jam reaches a high point, but then they return to...

From a show I was lucky enough to see, in a beautiful venue, this week's Deadpod takes us to Cleveland for a show back on November 20, 1978 at the Cleveland Music Hall.  This is a very interesting and well played show. The second set, which we will hear next week, is most unique, but this first set is certainly worth hearing, despite some obvious flaws in the recording.  The opening Mississippi Ha...

 I think anytime I come across an excellent sounding tape from 1970 it is a real treat. There are so few great tapes from that year and the band is having so much fun that when I do I want to share. So this week here is one from the Fillmore East on November 16, 1970.  There are some anomalies - there is some Elton John music playing through the house PA at one point - don't freak out ! :) I had t...

Happy Halloween Weekend!  I think we have a great Deadpod to share this week with the second set from the show on October 28, 1979 at the Cape Cod Coliseum in South Yarmouth MA.  This one starts with a really great China>Rider, the energy is off the charts and I really love hearing the Phil bombs and the Jerry's fan outs in Rider. This one is bound to bring a smile and make you wish you were shaki...

When the same show gets requested by two different listeners the same week I pay attention.. and I must say I am quite pleased to be able to present this request on this week's Deadpod.  This comes to us from a show played on Sunday, October 28, 1979 at the Cape Cod Coliseum at South Yarmouth MA. You know the old saying about never missing a Sunday show - well this one certainly proves that old ad...

What a great Scarlet>Fire on this week's Deadpod!  This comes to us from the second set of the band's performance at Madison Square Gardin on October 14, 1994.  This opening Scarlet>Fire is clearly the highlight of the show, clocking in at over 30 minutes of intensive, improvisational joy. You probably won't believe that they could hit on all cylinders like this at this point of the band's history...

This week I decided to venture where I seldom go - with a show from the fall of 1994. While this first set is quite short, I believe as a whole this is perhaps one of the band's best from this period.  This first starts with a very nice 'Jack Straw' and the 'West LA Fadeaway' that follows is also quite good. I'm a sucker for these 'Lazy River Road' versions, even when Jerry flubs them a bit. Bob f...

This week we return to Munich for a second set that is ferocious from start to finish. 'Bertha' leads this one off and goes into a truly rockin' 'Samson and Delilah' that really roars. Jerry slows things down a touch with 'Ship of Fools', but they go into a nice extended jam in the 'Estimated Prophet' that follows. That one builds again to a gale force as they go into 'Goin' Down the Road Feelin'...

This week we stay on the Continent for a show that took place on October 12, 1981 at the Olympia Halle in Munich, West Germany during the band's Fall European Tour. For the most part this is quite an excellent recording, although it does have a couple patches..  They come out firing on an up-tempo 'Jack Straw', then Garcia delivers a more laid back selection with a pretty 'Candyman'. The 'Little R...

This week's Deadpod features the fine recording of the second set of the band's performance on September 20, 1974 in Paris France.  This one is pretty sweet all the way through, starting with 'China Cat>I Know You Rider'. The 'Big River' that follows is nicely up tempo. Another highlight for me is the 'Brokedown Palace' which is placed right in the center of the set and features some great closing...

This week's Deadpod features a wonderful recording of the band's performance in Paris France on September 20, 1974. This is a splendid recording, and a very interesting performance. The band opens with a spirited 'Cumberland Blues' followed by a nice 'Jack Straw'. The first-set 'Scarlet Begonias' features some very nice Phil leads. Bobby's vocals are top-notch on the 'Black Throated Wind' that fol...

We have a great second set for your Labor Day weekend enjoyment! This one is from the Greek Theater on August 19, 1989. This one certainly goes against the old thought that the band didn't really jam it out at the Greek.. We start with a fine 'China>Rider'.. the transition really catches fire! A wonderful opener, which then leads right into 'Playin' In the Band'.. the jamming here into a long, pre...

This week I came across a fun show from August 19, 1989 at the Greek Theater in Berkeley California. The opener is so much fun -when you listen you just know you're in for a treat. A great 'Jack Straw' follows, played just at the right tempo :)  Brent follows with 'We Can Run' - and its hard not to reflect on how little has changed.. 'Tennessee Jed' is always a good time, and Jerry really rips it...

This week's second set from Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City NJ, is one of the best of that year, in my opinion. It starts out with a smokin' Help>Slip>Frank, the Slipknot here is particularly great. A wonderful summertime 'Dancing In the Street' follows, then 'The Wheel', and 'Samson'.. again Phil is way up in the mix and I only wish I could hear him so well more often.. 'Roses' follows, with the...

This week the Deadpod stays right in Jersey City, for this wonderful show from August of 1976. This show too, took place at Roosevelt Stadium on August 4, 1976.  We start out with a long, dreamy 'Sugaree' - clocking in at over 14 minutes. Jerry is in good voice at this show, and you will notice that Phil is quite up front in this recording as well. These songs are all played at the slower pace cha...

I can think of no better way to celebrate the 'Days Between' than with this fabulous second set from Jerry's Birthday show on August 1, 1973 from Jersey City, New Jersey.  All around excellence here. Just when you're settling in they give you a Dark Star for the ages - including probably the first 'mind left body jams'. They come up for air with 'El Paso' then deliver one of the all-time great 'Ey...

While Jerry's birthday is not until Sunday, I felt that there could be no better way to start off the 'Days Between' than with this humdinger of a show from August 1st, 1973. I realize this is only days after last week's Deadpod fom Watkins Glen, but, hey its one of the few, and probably the greatest of Jerry's Birthday show with the band. Now this version of the events is captured on what I feel...

I originally thought I would play Brent Mydland's last show with the band - 7/23/1990 - but at the last moment decided I would bring you something much happier - the famous soundcheck from the Watkins Glen festival that took place on July 27, 1973.  Long a favorite among Deadheads, you've likely heard this before - but this is one of those performances that deserve to be listened to again from tim...

Hey Now! what a great second set this week as we explore the rest of the band's performance on September 26, 1972 at teh Stanley Theater in Jersey City, New Jersey.  Right out of the gate we get a wonderful psychedelic ride with a 20 minute 'Playin In The Band'. Phil is all over this. They follow up with the very last performance of 'You Win Again'. 'El Paso' follows but things get sharp again wit...

A great show from a great run is showcased in this week's Deadpod. This is from September 26, 1972 at the Stanley Theater in Jersey City, New Jersey. The first show of a three night run, this features some great guitar work by Garcia throughout, even here in the first set. A fine 'Cold Rain and Snow' might be overlooked by the early 'He's Gone', but there is so much great music here. I love the 'B...

Happy 4th of July!  This week we present the second set of the band's performance from Anchorage Alaska on the summer solstice, June 21, 1980.  This is a fine setlist, and most of the songs are quite well-played. I think 'Big Railroad Blues' is a great opener, and the Samson and Delilah' that follows is quite swell. The pre-drums 'Terrapin' has a wonderful segue into the jammin' 'Playin' in the Ba...

A summer solstice show to celebrate the arrival of summer, this comes to us from the band's only trip to Alaska back on June 21, 1980. This first set opens with a strong 'Sugaree', and Jerry continues to light it up on the Minglewood that follows. In fact most of these first set songs are quite strong and fast paced, I'd particularly call your attention to the 'Lazy Lightni'>Supplication', Brent's...

This week we present the second set from the band's historic run at RFK Stadiuim in Washington D. C. the weekend of June 9, 1973.  This is a fine, long, wall-of-sound, show and it's no wonder that it ranked highly in Dick Latvala's estimation ( https://gdsets.com/latvala/1973_06_09.jpg) .  While there is some confusion over the exact start of this setlist, I'm choosing to include the Greatest Stor...

This week we bring you a fine recording of an often overlooked gem from the Summer of 1973. This comes to us from RFK Stadium in Washington DC on Saturday, June 9, 1973. This date is often overlooked in favor of the next day (which we played back in '08). On both dates, the band shared the bill with the Allman Brothers. On this very hot day, the Dead opened, and played two excellent sets.  The fir...