The Deadpod

      RIP Bob Weir 1947-2026 The passing of Bob Weir this last week brought us all shock and sadness. Speaking for myself I wasn't ready for Ace to be gone, and I know it will hurt for a long time. Since there there have appeared countless tributes and appreciations for his talent, character and life. I won't try to add another one here. What I've decided on is to present to you this week a show t...

This week we have some 'Good Ol'Grateful Dead' for your listening pleasure.. This comes to us from Springer's Inn in Portland Oregon on January 16, 1970.  The opening 'Casey Jones' has a number of sound problems, but bear with it the rest of the set is quite good - especially when you consider it is 55 years old.. There are a number of highlights here - the 'Black Peter' is exceptionally soulful, ...

As we turn the calendar to 2026, we present the second set from the band's performance at the Boston Music Hall on December 1, 1973.  This is a very interesting second set, with songs that you don't always associate with that second set making an appearance.  They open with what is often a set closer - 'Around and Around' Then ease into some more traditional fare, with 'They Love Each Other' and '...

 Merry Day-After-Christmas!! For your boxing and unboxing pleasure I thought this show, from the legendary year of 1973 might be just exactly perfect.. this comes to us from the Boston Music Hall from December 1, 1973. This show took place in the middle of a three show run at this famous venue, both of which have been previously commercially released.  This is a nice long, first set, as was custom...

This week's Deadpod brings us the second set from the band's performance in Long Beach California on December 14, 1980.  This is a fine high-energy set, punctuated by guest appearances by Fora Purim, Airto and Matthew Kelly but full of outstanding renditions of some classic numbers.  I am always pleasantly surprised when I get a 'Must Have Been the Roses' and really enjoy this one. This is followe...

This week we go back 45 years to an excellent show the band played in Long Beach California on Sunday, December 14.  They open this first set with a standard 'Bertha>Greatest Story', then 'Althea' goes into a raucous 'Little Red Rooster' this one with Matthew Kelly joining in. The 'Loser' that follows is a personal favorite.  The rest of the set is first rate as well, culminating in a most excelle...

This week we pick up the second set from the band's performance on November 14th, 1987 in Long Beach California.  A strong opening finds them opening with a nice 'Maggie's Farm' into 'Cumberland Blues'.. Bobby flubs the first line of the vocals but nevertheless a great high energy start. 'Playin' In the Band' follows, while a bit short, this still contains some nice jamming. 'Terrapin Station' is...

Happy Thanksgiving!  As is my tradition here on the Deadpod, Thanksgiving is the time for Acoustic Dead. This year I've found two sets of fine acoustic Dead that I thought you would enjoy. The first is from July 30, 1970 at the Matrix in San Francisco and the second from earlier that year, on May 14th, in Kirkwood Missouri.  There's only one repeat in the two sets - Candyman - but I didn't think y...

We head to Shakedown Street on this week's Deadpod with a fine version from Long Beach California on November 14, 1987.  A great start to this short first set, followed, somewhat unfortunately in my opinion, by 'Little Red Rooster;, but the boys more than make up for it with the rest of set including a nice 'Althea' and 'When I Paint My Masterpiece' and my personal highlight - Brent giving us a sp...

 We continue with the second set from the Uptown Theatre in Chicago on November 18, 1978.  This one starts with a fine Scarlet>Fire, perhaps a bit shorter than some, but with some nice Garcia intensity leading into Fire. Miracle follows leading into an excellent 'He's Gone' - there's an interesting jam here unlike most you'll hear in this song. The recording really brings this one home. Instead of...

This week's Deadpod takes us to Chicago - to the Uptown Theater home of many fine Grateful Dead shows. This one is from Saturday, November 18, 1978.  Our tape starts, unfortunately, with an abbreviated 'Jack Straw', but what we have shows us the energy the band came on stage with on this evening. A soulful 'Candyman' follows, then the 'Me & My Uncle>Big River' combo - marked by an exceptional Big...

 Happy Halloween!!  In honor of the fact that this week's Deadpod falls on Halloween, I decided to go back and find an appropriate show that the band played on this date... I think this one from 1969 is certainly worthy of a listen..  The show starts out with a truly nasty recording of Casey Jones - I left it in for the sake of completeness, but I hope you will stick with it as the recording great...

We continue with the second set from the Grateful Dead's performance at the Moody Coliseum in Dallas Texas back on Saturday, October 15, 1977.  The 'Samson and Delilah' opener is a great start to a fine set.. Donna follows with a nice version of 'Sunrise'. The 'Terrapin Station' that follows is not as monumental in its buildup as some but is a fine delivery by Garcia. The meat of this set comes wi...

This week we join the Dead as they play the last show of a 3 show run in Texas during October 1977. This one takes place on the campus of SMU in Dallas Texas on October 15.  The first set opens with a spirited 'Bertha' into 'Good Lovin'. They move into a more laid back mood with 'They Love Each Other' then the 'Mama Tried' into 'Big River' ramps things bck up. A nice 'Ramble on Rose' is marred her...

http://deadshow.blogspot.com This week here on the Deadpod is a fine second set from the band's show over in London England on October 4, 1981. I'm sure you'll agree that this is a fine performance by the boys.. Some of the highlights are a smokin' Samson and Delilah, the jam between Scarlet and Fire, and an interesting 'Lost Sailor'. Drums is notable for the 'Spanish Jam' leading into a fine 'Oth...

This week the Deadpod travels to London England, to the Rainbow Theater, where the band played eight wonderful shows during 1981. This was the next to last performance at the Rainbow, on October 4, 1981.  This recording really highlights Brent and Garcia.. its a bright and open recording I think you'll enjoy. Some of the highlights are the Jack-A-Roe, Beat It On Down the Line, and Brown Eyed Women...

Here's some old-fashioned, good ol' Grateful Dead for you..  This week from September 18, 1970 at the Fillmore East in New York City.. we have a partial soundboard tape that has somehow survived these years to bring  us back to what it was like to hear the boys in that magical space.  The first two songs, Truckin' and Black Peter, are from the acoustic set - with Pigpen on piano on Truckin' and Da...

This week I have the pleasure of presenting this second set from the band's performance at the Greek Theater in Berkeley California on September 11, 1981. They are energized throughout.. the opening Stranger builds until they go into a unique 'Franklin's Tower'. Garcia is firing here. Things calm a bit with the 'Man Smart, Woman Smarter' but the 'He's Gone' that follows is first rate. Check out th...

 We celebrate the 82nd birthday of Mickey Hart this week with a great show that took place back on his 38th birthday at the Greek Theater in Berkeley California. The recording starts with Joan Baez regaling Mickey with a 'Happy Birthday' chorus.. once we put that behind us we are led into a hot 'Minglewood' and then a quite nice 'They Love Each Other'.  They amp it up a bit with a 'Mama Tried>Mexi...

This week on the Deadpod we have the second set from the band's performance at the beautiful Greek Theater in Berkeley California on August 18, 1989.  This is pretty classic Dead for this high water period of the band, with a groovin' 'Iko Iko' to open things up, followed by the mellow 'Looks Like Rain'. Jerry brings out a classic 'Terrapin Station' leading into a fine Drums and Space. I love the...

 Happy Labor Day Weekend! I hope that this first set from the 2nd night of a 3 night Rex Benefit run at the Greek Theater is a great start to your holiday!  This is a fine recording of the band during one of their more interesting periods. ' Cold Rain and Snow ' is always a great opener and I loved the ' Row Jimmy ';.  I even found the Minglewood to be quite good... and the first set Victim is unu...

 We continue this week with the second set from August 5, 1979 at Oakland California.  This set starts with a fine 'Scarlet>Fire' - a warning there is a cut in the Scarlet (sadly there are several on this tape but I feel that the show still deserves your attention). The transition to 'Fire' is wonderful, as is Garcia's solo there. 'Estimated' and 'Eyes of the World' follow, then we are treated wit...

The dog days of August are upon us.. but hopefully this week's Deadpod can see us through.. this is a good one from August 5, 1979 in Oakland. The first set certainly starts out rather laid back and so is perhaps fitting for the time... check out the transition from 'Franklin's' into 'Me & My Uncle'.. The set is well played in my opinion and the recording is good - I will tell you there is a bruta...

Hey Now! Wasn't sure I could get this one out, but here goes :)  This is the second set from the band's performance on August 12, 1972 at Sacramento California.  I think you'll enjoy this set, there is some fine jamming here.. the opening GSET, does have the first frew notes cut.. Ramble on Rose, follows and Beat It Down the Line.. including some chatter :)  The heart of the set comes as the follo...

Here we are - Jerry's Birthday and the start of the Days Between - as well as the day of the first of the GD 60 concerts out in San Francisco! I do envy all those able to attend! In the meantime we have a fine show from August of 1972 to start the celebrations on this week's Deadpod.  This comes from Sacramento California on August 12, 1972. We will listen to the long first set this week - then th...