The Deadpod

This week's Deadpod features the second set from the band's performance in Oakland on November 20,1985.  The second set features some very nice highlights, including an excellent Sailor>Saint and an outstanding 'Terrapin Station'. This is a nice long version, punctuated by an excellent jam by Garcia going into the Brent tune 'Don't Need Love'.  The Sugar Magnolia was memorable as Bobby played rock...

A high energy first set for your enjoyment on this week's Deadpod comes to us from the Henry Kaiser convention center in Oakland California, on November 20, 1985.  The first night of a three night 'hometown' run, starts off with a roaring 'Jack Straw'. Jerry follows with a lovely 'Peggy O', then Bobby performs the bluesy 'CC Rider' featuring some nice effects on the Hammond from Brent. Following p...

The Dead played this second set 45 years ago today, on 10/28/77 at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Kansas City KS. This is a fine display of the rhythmic richness of the band at this high water mark of their career. The set starts with a high octane 'Samson & Delilah' then things slow down a bit for a sweet 'Candyman' and Donna Jean's 'Sunrise'. They start to rev back up with 'Passenger'...

We're going to close out the month of October with a great show from 1977. This one comes to us from Kansas City KS, on October 28, 1977. This week's first set is very melodic throughout, with a nice laid back rhythm for the most part.  Promised Land is the opener (don't fear -the audience splice only lasts a few moments), then a sweet 'They Love Each Other'. One of the things I love about this re...

While I played this show, unbeknownst to me, ten years ago on the Deadpod, I am still going to present the wonderful second set this week. This show, from Indianapolis on October 1, 1976, features a sweet second set. While a 'Might As Well' opener might not signal such a beauty, the 'Samson' that follows quickly convinces that we are in a for a treat. Great interplay throughout from Jerry and Phil...

This week's Deadpod features a set from the Fall tour of 1976. If you're not familiar with this period I think you'll enjoy this week's selection, which comes from Market Square Arena, in Indianapolis Indiana.   This is a fine set, in my opinion, which really gets going once they hit 'Deal'. The 'Cassidy' is no slouch and 'Big River' rocks as usual. The highlight of the set is probably the stand-a...

 Fifty years ago today, the Grateful Dead played this free concert in Washington D.C.  I present the fine second set for your entertainment today. I hope you agree that it is an excellent recording and contains some quite sublime moments. I'll draw your attention to just a few.. the 'He's Gone' is drawn out and heartfelt. I'm also a big fan of Jerry's performance of 'Brokedown Palace' here.  'The...

  This week's Deadpod features a 'free' show that took place on the campus of American University in Washington D.C. on September 30, 1972. This is a fairly standard '72 setlist, however it is a nice collection of well-played standards and we are fortunate to have such a nice recording (albeit there is a cut in the wonderful 'I Know You Rider').  Bob Weir is a bit higher in the mix than usual whic...

Pardon the brevity but as I'm feeling under the weather this intro will have to be even briefer than usual..  a find second set from the first night of the legendary Madison Square Garden run of 1990 features an excellent 'Scarlet>Fire' .. I love Phil and Jerry's contributions here, especially on the incendiary jams in Fire.. It's been awhile since I've featured a good 'Terrapin Station' and that'...

This week I'm featuring a show from the famous September 1990 run at Madison Square Garden in NYC, NY. I had thought I'd already played all of this run, but realized I hadn't played this - the first show of the run without Bruce Hornsby. This is a fine show, the band is jazzed to be back at the Garden and I think Jerry is in fine form.  The opening 'Feel Like a Stranger' is a great choice, and sho...

This Labor Day weekend the Deadpod brings you the 2nd set from the band's performance at the Shoreline Amphitheater on August 18, 1991. There's alot of joy in this set, I think, as the band seems to be enjoying themselves throughout. A fine 'Deal' opens things up - Hornsby is evident here and throughout. The band delivers a topnotch version of 'Samson and Delilah' to follow. A somewhat sloppy 'Mis...

   Here's a fun and happy Sunday show on this week's Deadpod - from the Shoreline Amphitheater on August 18, 1991. This first set features a very fine 'Jack-A-Roe' and some great piano work by Bruce Hornsby on 'CC Rider'. Jerry also brings out the Dylan cover 'It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry' which made its appearance this summer. One of the highlights of the set is Bobby seemingl...

This week's Deadpod continues the band's performance in Kansas City on August 3, 1982 at the Starlight Theater. This is a solid show, with a long, funky 'Shakedown Street' to kick things off. That flows into 'Samson', then a beautiful rendition of 'To Lay Me Down' follows.  Next up is a great version of 'Let It Grow', with some nice interplay between Jerry and Brent leading into the Rhythm Devils...

 A fine first set from a beautiful venue is on tap for this week's Deadpod. This performance, from August 3, 1982 at the Starlight Theater in Kansas City Missouri, features a most excellent first set.  Jerry brings the 'Mississippi Half-Step' to life by shaping the sound quite sweetly, and in particular the transition into 'Franklin's Tower' is not to be missed. Note the fine interplay with Phil h...

This week's Deadpod features the continuation of the band's performance at the Orpheum Theater in San Francisco on July 13, 1976.  There are issues with the tape on 'Music Never Stopped' but this clears up quickly so please be patient.  'It Must Have Been the Roses' follows, then 'Samson' but the highlight here is a beautiful version of 'High Time'.  After some pause, they go into 'Saint Stephen'...

As we wind down the month of July and head into the Days Between, I came across this recording from the historic  July 1976 run at the Orpheum Theatre - San Francisco, CA which I thought was most enjoyable so I wanted to share it with you. This is from the second night, July 13. I hadn't heard the show in this quality before so I hope you enjoy it.  Some of the highlights here include a very prett...

This week's Deadpod features the audience recording of the second set from 7/14/81 at McNichols Arena in Denver Colorado.  A funky 'Shakedown Street' opens up the proceedings, followed by 'Samson & Delilah' and an intimate 'High Time'.  Bobby blows the circus whistle for the start of a strong 'Truckin', punctuated by a great Jerry solo going into 'Eyes of the World' (unfortunately a small cut in t...

"Being summer, I took off my shirt...." well I'm not taking my shirt off but I am bringing you a summertime treat I think, with an excellent audience recording of the band's performance in Denver on July 14, 1981. As I listened to this tape it just struck me that the feeling of being there that a good audience recording gives you was perfect for this time of the year, when many of us have been luc...

 Here's the second set from the band's performance at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on June 23, 1990.  A rather slow and dreamy 'Eyes of the World' leads us into a great 'Looks Like Rain', Bobby really does it justice here. 'Crazy Fingers' follows and while Jerry's voice is a bit craggy here its still, for me, a pleasure to hear. The band busts it out on the following 'Playin' In the Band' which opens...

Summertime.. and the livin' is easy...  This week I decided to bring you a show from the summer tour of 1990, one of my favorites.. this comes to us from Eugene Oregon from June 23, 1990. A fine afternoon show, Little Feat was the opening act and the fans were treated to what I think is a great display of the band at this period of time.  A powerful 'Feel Like a Stranger' opens things up, then Jer...

Prepare to be psychedelicized this week as we listen to set 2 of the Dead's performance at the Fillmore West in San Francisco on June 7, 1970.  The boys take us right to the deep end with a Cryptical to open set 2, then blow into a great Other One, and back into Cryptical. Drums then take us into a rare 'The Main Ten' jam before we get to hear the very first 'Sugar Magnolia'. Pigpen is in fine for...

This week's Deadpod is a short but very sweet show from June 7, 1970 at the Fillmore West in San Francisco. This week's first set is 'relatively' acoustic, that is the first two songs are acoustic, but Jerry uses an electric guitar and Weir acoustic on the remainder of the som et. Frdeadlists.com:  " David Nelson plays mandolin on Cold Jordan and Swing Low, and he and Marmaduke contribute backup v...

This one is a treat for me to listen to so I hope you enjoy it as much as I do... this second set from the band's performance at the first 'Day on the Green' on June 8, 1974. These '74 Wall of Sound shows are some of my favorites, as you can tell from the opening 'U.S. Blues' that the boys are here in full force. Keith and Phil are rocking and the entire ensemble sounds great throughout. The 'cosm...

 This week's Deadpod comes from the famous 'Day on the Green' #1 at Oakland Stadium on June 8, 1974.  This first set of this 'Wall of Sound' show, features less jamming than will be coming up in set 2, but still some wonderful playing, highlighted by some great contributions from Keith and Phil. I particularly enjoy the stand-alone Scarlet and the Greatest Story Ever Told!     Grateful Dead Oaklan...

A fine second set from Boston Garden on May 12, 1980 to send you off on your Memorial Day weekend adventures. This one starts with an excellent 'Feel Like a Stranger', followed by an intense 'Ship of Fools'. A rolling 'Estimated Prophet' and 'He's Gone' follows, but then the band dissolves into a unique and interesting 'Caution' jam for about 10 minutes, for me the highlight of the set. Drums foll...