The Deadpod

A request from one of my supporters, as well as the fact that this past week marked Pigpen's 70th birthday inspired this week's Deadpod selection from the Berkeley Community Theater on August 14th, 1971. This is a great tape that showcases the early versions of many classics like 'Sugaree' and 'Playin' In the Band' as well as some outstanding Pigpen performances. Highlights include the opening 'Be...

This week's Deadpod continues with the second set from the band's performance on September 6th, 1980 at Lewiston Maine. Wildly praised by those in attendance, I think you'll enjoy this recording even though it has its share of flaws, and several of the songs are only from an audience recording. The set starts with one of those funky 80's Shakedown Streets.. always a great way to get the crowd on t...

This week we feature yes another show from 1980.. this one was the last show of the summer tour that year, and took place up in Lewiston Maine, at a big outdoor festival there at the State Fairgrounds on September 6th, 1980. This is a wonderful show, and while this recording does suffer some issues (this is a soundboard/audience matrix) it still captures what is a superb performance and I'm certai...

Here is the second set of the Grateful Dead's performance at the Glen Falls Civic Center in Glen Falls New York on May 8th, 1980. This set displays the same energy as the excellent first set, starting off with an unusual 'Uncle John's Band' opener. Estimated->Eyes follows, certainly not an unusual combination, but nevertheless Garcia makes the transition worth listening to. The Truckin' into Stell...

This week's Deadpod is the result of a request from one of my long time listeners' who reported that his wife had one of those annoying incidents where some lout dumped a beer on her during this, her very first Grateful Dead show and nevertheless remained tolerant enough to accompany him to yet another Dead show 15 years later where the same thing happened to the poor lady! Despite all that this i...

This week we present the third and final portion of the Grateful Dead's performance from the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Racecourse in Watkins Glen NY on July 28th, 1973. This may not be the best show of the year, but there is certainly some fine music here to recommend itself and to fuel many a thought as you listen. This section begins with a nice Stella Blue, and when you think well there is the Je...

On this Blue Moon Friday, we present the 2nd installment of the Grateful Dead's performance at Watkins Glen Speedway on July 28th, 1973. We start with the last song of the 1st set, but arguably the highlight of the show, a classic 'Playin' In the Band'. This one is in my opinion, on a par with the famous soundcheck of the previous day. It doesn't take them long to jump off on a psychedelic musical...

This week I'm going to start to present the Grateful Dead's performance at the famous Watkins Glen racecourse from July 28th, 1973. Not only was this the largest rock concert attendance wise ever up to this point, it of course is most famous perhaps for the soundcheck the band did the day before the actual performance which I'm going to showcase these next 3 weeks. I think that is somewhat unfair,...

On this week's Deadpod the band shows plenty of excitement and enthusiasm throughout a pretty great second set during their first visit to Red Rocks back in 1978. I've always been a fan of Cold Rain and Snow, and this is a great way to open the set. Garcia starts several of these songs rather slowly but they tend to  build up to a great climax, and I think that is apparent especially on the Scarle...

As I pondered what show to bring you this week, in the shadow of the emotion and excitement of last weekend's Fare Thee Well shows, I settled upon this show which marked the band's first visit to one of their very favorite venues, Red Rocks. This took place back on July 7th, 1978, and while I've previously played the next night's show, which is perhaps a bit more famous and of which probably bette...

Happy 4th ! and of course Happy Fare Thee Well Weekend!    This week i thought it appropriate to feature a set from Chicago so we will finish up with set 2 from the Auditorium Theater in Chicago Il that was played back on June 29th, 1976. Not only is this a very fine sounding recording but I am willing to bet you'll enjoy how the band sounds .. there is quite a bit of very fine jamming going on he...

With much excitement building for this week and next week's Fare Thee Well shows, I decided to feature a show from the windy city on this week (and next week's) Deadpod.. this one comes from the Auditorium Theater back on June 29th, 1976. The first thing you'll notice, as with any shows from this period, is the slower tempo. Some people love the more deliberate pacing, some hate it, but I enjoy he...

This week, set 2 of a wonderful recording of a rockin' show from the Summer of 1980 - 6/20/80 from  Anchorage Alaska. This is really a wonderful classic set of Grateful Dead music for the period, and this second set starts out with a fabulous Alabama Getaway into Greatest Story Every Told. The crowd knows they're in for a treat here as the boys rock this one out! Ship of Fools follows and then a w...

As I sat outside on my porch last night at 9:30 PM, noticing that it was still light, I thought that it might be time to bring you a show from the land of the midnight sun, Alaska. This week I'm playing a great show from the Dead's only visit to our largest state, back in 1980. This is from the middle of a three night run in a high school auditorium, on June 20th, 1980. I think you'll agree this i...

Here is a second set from a show recently requested from one of my listeners, I happen to think this is one of the better shows of this year, June 19th, 1994 from Autzen Stadium in Eugene Oregon. While I didn't think the first set warranted publishing it, I did think this second set would bring a smile to many peoples' faces as they recalled some of the shows they saw in the 90s. This Sunday after...

This week the Deadpod takes you way back to the spring of 1970 when the Dead made their very first trip across the ocean to England.. this show took place on May 24th, 1970 I decided to publish the entire show as it was not broken into sets, and while the sound leaves alot to be desired it is quite listenable for the most part, and as a historical document of the day I am hoping that you'll get in...

As we turn the corner this weekend into the unofficial start of summer, we have a smokin' hot set of Dead music to serve as the soundtrack. This is set 3 of the band's performance on May 26th, 1973 at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco. The boys open with a straight ahead rockin' version of 'Mississippi Half Step'.. some beautiful Garcia licks there in the closing.. then 'Me & My Uncle', then we get i...

This week's Deadpod featu res a great set of music, from the second of three sets that took place back on May 26th, 1973 at the old Kezar Stadium in San Francisco CA. As I understand it this was an  unusually warm and sunny day in San Francisco and the band's performance matched the weather. The Here Comes Sunshine that opens this second set is in my opinion, one of the better ones the band every...

This week's Deadpod comes as a result of a request from a longtime supporter of the 'pod.. an excellent choice from 1973.. this is quite a famous show and there have been great tapes around but I'm quite certain you'll enjoy it, and don't believe I've ever featured it on the Deadpod .. This is from Kezar Stadium in San Francisco CA back on May 26th, 1973. The gig featured both Waylon Jennings and...

Here we are in the beautiful month of May - Kentucky Derby weekend no less - so I wanted to bring you a set that of course included the band's wonderful rendition of George Jones'  'The Race Is On'.. In addition, this pick comes from the fabulous Frost Amphitheater back in the fine year of 1989..  This week's show from May 6th, 1989, happened to be a Rex benefit as well, and I think it is a fine e...

Ask and you shall receive.. at least sometimes.. :) this week's Deadpod was the result of a request just posted on the Facebook page for 8/23/68.. this is a great performance and a pretty damm good tape.. it took place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles CA the night before 'Two From The Vault' was recorded.. this features the Dead during one of their most creative periods. I just love the ene...

Spring is finally arriving around here and my thoughts turned to the great Spring tour of Europe 72. Since that tour is completely released on the box set I am going to share with you this week a wonderful set from the fall of 1972. This show took place on October 27th, 1972 in Columbus Ohio. I don't have, nor do I believe there exists, a copy of the first set that matches the quality of the audie...

This week we will listen to the second set from the Dead's performance that took place on April 15th, 1983 in Rochester NY. This is a very long, sometimes meandering set, that clocks in at over one hour and 47 minutes. Despite its length, it seems a bit void of Garcia vocals. The set starts out well enough with a Feel Like A Stranger and Samson and Delilah to get the crowd moving. Brent follows wi...

This week's Deadpod has been on my request list for quite awhile, and in reviewing that list I decided it was time to pull it out. This show comes to us from April 15th, 1983 at the War Memorial Auditorium in Rochester NY. There seems to be lots of good memories of this show, and while I don't think it was their strongest outing of the year, it is an enjoyable and generally wellplayed performance...

While I wouldn't say this second set was overshadowed by the first, it is one of the rare second sets that is shorter than its first set..the band however does not let up on the jamming as this second set is a true pleasure to relive. They come out of the box hot and fast with an excellent Eyes of the World, played in the uptempo fashion.. despite the furious pace there are plenty of beautiful Gar...