The Deadpod

This week it's my pleasure to bring you the second set from the band's performance on March 31st, 1989 at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro North Carolina. This fine recording starts with a roaring 'Hey Pocky Way' into 'Truckin'. That one goes very nicely into 'Terrapin' which has a fine little jam at the end to take us into Drums and Space. The wishful 'I Will Take You Home' makes me miss Bre...

I decided to close out March with a really fun and energetic show from the Spring of 1989. This comes to us from March 31st, 1989 at Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro North Carolina. While there are no extended jams in this week's first set, the playing throughout is exceptionally energetic and quite fun to listen to. Some of the highlights for me are the fine version of 'Peggy O', the spirited 'M...

Let's welcome Spring with this wonderful second set from March 26th, 1973 at the Baltimore Civic Center. Since I'm a bit under the weather this week I'll just point out a few (obvious) highlights - the jam following Truckin' including the Weather Report Suite Prelude, the wonderful Eyes , and of course Morning Dew.    I hope you enjoy this one, and feel free to join the Deadpod group on Facebook a...

A massive Deadpod this week - warning - this one is just shy of 2 hours long! While I considered splitting it in the end I'd rather eat the extra cost and give you one of these fine shows from the Spring of 1973!   This one comes to us from the Baltimore Civic Center on March 26th, 1973.   There are too many songs here to cover them all - suffice it to say there are many highlights, some of my fav...

This week's Deadpod starts out with a sweet rendition of the Elizabeth Cotton classic 'Oh Babe, It Ain't No Lie' - the only electric version the Dead ever played and the last time they would ever play it. This is just one of the pleasures of the second set from the first Rex Benefit that took place back on March 28th, 1984 at the Marin Veterans Auditorium in San Rafael, California. The set proper...

This week we have an intimate performance, and the very first Rex Benefit show which happened to be the first show performed in 1984. This comes from the Marin Veterans Memorial Auditorium in San Rafael, CA on March 28th, 1984. Even at this time, this was one of the smallest venues the band would preform in, and since it was a Rex Benefit show, you get the feeling that they were trying to put on a...

This week's Deadpod features the second set of the Dead's performance on February 27th, 1977 at the University of Santa Barbara, CA. As this was the second show to display the fabulous material from 'Terrapin Station' the band was still at a great place for this gig. The 'Samson' features a smokin' Garcia solo, and the 'St. Stephen', while missing the traditional bridge, was still very enjoyable,...

With the recent release of the classic show from 2/26/77 on Dave's Picks #29, I was inspired to bring you this fine recording of the excellent show that took place the following evening, Febuary 27th, 1977. While this is an audience recording, and the vocals are not as upfront as many of us prefer, I think you'll still find that the playing shines through. The band is definitely still 'on' this ni...

This week we can forget our troubles with a fine second set from this early 1979 date in Kansas City. Scarlet starts a little slow, and Jerry's voice cracks a bit here and there, but he really starts soaring around the 3:30 mark. Around the 6:00 minute mark the calypso beat moves in, Donna's background vocals add just enough mystery not to be overpowering, and we float along waiting for the other...

This week we have an intimate performance, and the very first Rex Benefit show which happened to be the first show performed in 1984. This comes from the Marin Veterans Memorial Auditorium in San Rafael, CA on March 28th, 1984. Even at this time, this was one of the smallest venues the band would preform in, and since it was a Rex Benefit show, you get the feeling that they were trying to put on a...

This week, something I try not to do too often, but yes, another show from 1979! And better yet, another audience source! Yes, this is a short first set, but despite the fact that it is one of Keith and Donna's last shows (they were to play only two more times with the Dead), the band sounds tight and the versions for the most part sparkle. Keith certainly doesn't contribute much here, but the res...

This week's Deadpod continues with the second set from the Grateful Dead's performance on January 10th, 1979 at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale NY. This is a fine set packed with lots of great music.  A tight Shakedown Street opens the set, but the Miracle that follows is better than usual. Bertha goes into Good Lovin, then they follow with a rare Dark Star.. They played it 3 times during a 20 da...

While I missed the 40th anniversary of this one by a week, it's certainly a show that merits listening to, even if (or perhaps because) it only exists in a very good audience format. This one comes from January 10, 1979 at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale NY. While the first set, which we will hear this week, is not as outstanding as next week's Set 2, it is certainly enjoyable, in my opinion and...

Winter Time is Good Ol' Grateful Dead Time!   I hope you're not sick of primal Dead, because in looking about for a show for this week I came across this set from January 17th, 1970 and decided that it tickled me in just the right spot so I'm going to share it this week. The boys are clicking and transitioning to new vistas and I love hearing them work out jams like Phil on this Cumberland Blues o...

We kick off our 2019 Deadpods with this energetic and unusual set from 1980. This took place on January 13th, 1980 at the Cambodian Refugee Benefit in Oakland. The band does one long set, and I've included all of it here this week. It is all quite worthy bu I'm especially fond of the laid back 'Franklin's Tower', As well as tight versions of 'Tennessee Jed', 'Looks Like Rain' and 'Don't Ease Me In...

We close out 2018 with the second part of the band's performance back on on April 3rd, 1970 at the Field House at the University of Cincinnati. A great representation of the band's raucous and spirited style this set features some great jamming on some real classics like 'Cryptical Envelpment' into 'The Other One', 'Cosmic Charlie' and a wonderful 'Turn on Your Lovelight'. It's easy to see why Pig...

Happy Winter Solstice!                 and of course Merry Christmas..........   While this is the last Deadpod before the holiday, I will naturally include some great acoustic Dead music for your enjoyment. However since it is also a few days before the holiday, I thought I would break with tradition a bit and include some electric Dead as well. The show I selected for this week really dictated t...

This week's Deadpod features a fine second set from the band's show in Oakland California on December 4, 1990. They open with a nice 'Eyes of the World' - Bruce's piano here really shines. 'Saint of Circumstance' follows then a strong Jerry vocal performance on 'Ship of Fools'. 'Truckin' is where things really get going though with a great Jerry jam especially into the 'Smokestack Lightning' which...

This week the Deadpod will take you back to December 4th 1990 at the Oakland County Coliseum for a fine show that showcased the energy that Bruce Hornsby brought to the band when he joined them after the death of Brent Mydland. Highlights here for me include the Mississippi Half-Step and a wonderful Bird Song. While 'Walkin' Blues' is on no ones list of favorites, it is balanced out by a great set...

This week I thought it only appropriate to go back and feature the fine second set from the band's performance on November 14th, 1971, that we had featured the first set from two weeks ago. This second set features some outstanding interplay and jamming. While Keith is not yet fully integrated into the band's sound (as he would be later in 1972), the other members more than make up for it with the...

Happy Thanksgiving!   As is our tradition, please enjoy this acoustic Grateful Dead set as my way of thanking you on this special day.   While we all have many things to be thankful for, I hope each of you realizes that I am thankful that you listen to and enjoy the Deadpod. I hope that you find this acoustic Dead enjoyable and relaxing on your holiday.   Peace my friends.   Grateful Dead Warfield...

As we roll into Thanksgiving week, here is an outstanding first set from a great tour that took place during the Fall of 1971. This is from November 14th, 1971 at Fort Worth Texas. Part of this show was released as a (now out of print) Road Trips, but the entire show is a treasure and features a young band full of energy and fire. They open with a fine 'Bertha' with Keith's piano leading the way.....

A quite unique but delightful second set from November 1st, 1977 is on the docket for this week's Deadpod. A wonderful Terrapin opens it up, a great song from a great year. A quick transition into an excellent 'Estimated Prophet', with some really nice work from Keith and Garcia here, especially before the transition into 'The Other One', which has an interesting intro as well.  This 'Other One' h...

1977 was a year in Grateful Dead history that offered many more highlights than just those famous shows in May.. this week's Deadpod is a case in point. This performance took place 41 years ago at Cobo Hall in Detroit Michigan. The band come smokin' out of the gate with a wonderful version of 'Might As Well'. They follow with very energetic performances of some of their classic numbers. Highlights...

This week's Deadpod contains a great recording of a 'partial' second set from the band's visit to Bloomington Minnesota on October 23rd, 1973. This recording starts with an excellent version of  'Truckin', punctuated with some unusual organ effects from Keith, going into an amazing crescendo, then into a nice bluesy 'Nobody's Fault' jam... the 'throwback' organ is reminiscent of earlier, primal ve...