The Deadpod

This week we get to hear the second set from the Parmount Theater in Seattle Washington, September 29th, 1977. I think this is quite a nice set with an outstanding He's Gone, Stella Blue and an Uncle John's Band encore to soothe your soul... I hope you enjoy it! In other news - the Europe 72 Vol. 2 CD contest is OVER! I received a goodly number of entries and I want to thank each of you for all th...

This week on the Deadpod I decided to feature a show from the fall of '77.. probably not the time of that year that usually comes to mind but this show, in my opinion, deserves some recognition.. this was performed on September 29th in Seattle WA. Not only does this show exhibit its wonderful '77 pedigree, but the last three songs really ... rock.. out. In a sense this is a show that looks forward...

On this holiday weekend I decided to bring you a complete show from one of my very favorite venues - the Starlight Theater in Kansas City, MO.. This show took place 26 years ago on September 3rd, 1985. While Jerry may not have been in the best of voice that summer, I do have to give the boys props for mixing up the setlists on that tour, and this is a great example of that. I hope you enjoy the sh...

High time for some classic '68 Dead.. this week's show contains a wonderful classic Dark Star from 1968.. its from 'Betty Nelson's Organic Raspberry Farm' in Sultan WA., and took place on September 2nd, 1968. While the tape does have its share of rough spots it really is a quite spectacular record of the band as it is nearing maturity.. the incredible Pigpen vocals on 'Alligator' are another highl...

This week's Deadpod, by listener request, is a great sounding show from Eugene Oregon, home of many fine shows. This one comes from May 7th, 1984. I'm sure you'll enjoy the sound quality on this one and the band really does rock it on this night. Next week's second set is not to be missed! Grateful Dead   5/7/84 - Monday   Silva Hall - Hult Center for the Performing Arts - Eugene, OR   Set One: Ik...

This week we have a fine second set from July 29th, 1988 to entertain us as we reflect on how fortunate we were to have Jerry Garcia share his talents with us. This is a great example of a late 80s second set, with an unusual China Cat->Crazy Fingers->I Know You Rider to open the set. This is followed by a Playin' in the Band which really gets out there - Barlow remarked that this one would separa...

This week's Deadpod features a show that took place 23 years ago - July 29th, 1988 at the Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey CA. This first set is quite nice - and you'll hear Brent prominently throughout. I felt this was only appropriate given the anniversary of his passing this last week. I think you'll enjoy not only the Iko Iko and Blow Away but also the wonderful Althea and Deal.. We'll play set...

This is really premium, classic Grateful Dead. This second set from may in Montana rolls out from an unusual US Blues, El Paso opener into a nice Row Jimmy. The Weather Report Suite that follows is quite perfect and the transition into Dark Star is impeccable. Listen to how it flows into China Doll.. my words won't add to that experience.. enjoy it and feel it fill you. Not Fade Away->Goin' Down t...

Here's a show that caught my eye this week from the Wall of Sound era - this one is from May 14th, 1974 in Missoula Mountana.. this is probably not the finest show of the era, but nevertheless there is plenty here to like. In this first set, the band really gets cranking on the Scarlet->Roses.. what a delicious segway.. The Tennessee Jed and Mexicalli Blues are equally inspring, and all in all thi...

This week's Deadpod features the second set of the show that marked the introduction of Keith Godchaux to the Grateful Dead family. This is quite an interesting second set, and really shows the band in transition from its earlier sound to the sound that would characterize it throughout 1972. In particular listen to the sound on 'That's It for the Other One'.. it leads into a heart breakingly beaut...

This holiday weekend I decided to share a really great and unique show from the history of the band. This show marked the first time that Keith played with the band, as well as the breakout of *many* classic Dead songs - Tennessee Jed, Jack Straw, Mexicali Blues, One More Saturday Night, and Comes a Time from this first set! This is definitely a watershed show, and I think you'll enjoy it..   Grat...

This week the music world lost a true star - Clarence 'Big Man' Clemons.. Aside from his pivotal role in the E. Street Band Clarence was a friend of the Grateful Dead and played with Jerry Garcia as well. In honor of his passing, a listener of the Deadpod requested this show, and it is absolutely perfect to play this week. This was the longest segment Clarence played with the Grateful Dead and occ...

This week I decided to bring you a very fine show from the late period of the Grateful Dead. This one comes to us from March 21st, 1994 from the Richfield Coliseum in Richfield Ohio. I think the band usually played well here - and I think this is quite a fine show. I decided to bring you the second set - it is especially well played - right from the Picasso Moon, through the New Speedway and an ex...

This week we get to listen to the second set from this fine show that took place at the Greek back in 1984. I think you'll find that while the Help->Slip->Frank isn't remarkable, the Estimated->Eyes->Drumz is more than worthwhile. I also really like Jerry's work in Truckin', and the Wharf Rat is a keeper for sure.   Grateful Dead Greek Theatre - University of California Berkeley, CA Set Two: Help...

Another fine suggestion by a friend of the Deadpod sets the stage for this week's show - July 14th, 1984 from the Greek Theater in Berkeley CA. It seems to fit right in with the last few weeks' and the boys do not disappoint on this one.. From our correspondent's email: "The first set features really high energy versions of Jack Straw and Big Railroad Blues. I'm not normally a big fan of Little Re...

As summer (unofficially) starts this weekend I can't think of a better way to bring it in than with the rousing Scarlet->Fire that starts off this week's Deadpod. Jerry really does this justice and I hope you can take the time to listen to how Jerry and the band really did justice to these works of art... this is a fine second set.. I'm a fan of the Dear Mr. Fantasy... Satisfaction is not my favor...

This week's show is the result of one of those wierd acts of synchronicity that led me to believe that it was meant to be... I had been thinking that it was about time to feature a show from 1985. I was thinking of which show to play and had seriously considered the show from Hershey PA on 6/28/85.. While this is a fun show, it has some problems - the weather was bad, the playing a bit sloppy even...

This Friday the 13th we're in for a real treat as we get to enjoy the second set of the Grateful Dead's performance at the Boston Gardens on May the 7th, 1977. The second set opens with a splendid Terrapin Station into Sampson, and while the entire set is quite good, what really sends me over the top is the fabulous Wheel->Wharf Rat.. one for the ages to be sure.. Grateful Dead 5/7/77 - Saturday B...

Ah how I love the month of May! Spring has come late this year, but I still find this month to be the most delightful... and I can never help but feature one of the Grateful Dead's classic performances from this month back in 1977. Clearly one of the greatest periods in their live performance history, while this month is well-known and well-liked I still can't resist pulling out one of these class...

This week's second set from 1/15/79 is a really classic show for the end of the Keith and Donna era... It starts with an unusual but very successful sequeway - from the I Need A Miracle opener into Shakedown Street.. very powerful and it works seemlessly.. I'm also a fan of the Terrapin Station->Playin' In The Band combo that follows, as I really enjoy a powerful live Terrapin.. While this may be...

Frankly I equivocated a bit on this week's show.. the show itself was a wonderful request from one of our listener's for a show from a period in the band's history that was frankly uneven, at the end of the Keith and Donna era.. Not only would I call the period itself uneven, but this show as well, with the first set clearly not matching the luminescence of the second set. Be that as it may be, I...

On the heels of an acclaimed tour of east and south, Furthur has just announced dates for their summer tour. It seemed to me to be only fitting to feature the band this week for those of you who may not have been fortunate enough to catch them so far this year, as well as those of you lucky enough to have seen them. This week I'm going to feature music from two of their recent shows, first from a...

This week's second set from August 4th, 1976 clocks in at just over two hours of wonderful Grateful Dead music. From the first notes of Help on the Way through the Johnny B. Goode encore the band treats us to a very memorable experience. I'm personally fond of the amazing Dancin' In the Streets that comes out of Franklin's Tower, as well as the inspired jam in the Other One.. I hope you find as mu...

No April Fools here - just great Jerry! This week another great request from one of our listeners - this one for a great show from 1976 - this one comes from a venue we've featured before, but I went back and couldn't believe it had been so long since I'd played a show from 1976.. Anyway, its a good year - sometimes the tempo is a bit slower than other years, but the band is listening and growing...

This was quite a week in the Dead community, some fine Furthur shows, Phil's 71st birthday, but overshadowing everything, for me, was the loss of Augustus Owsley Stanley. Owsley was of course instrumental in the formation and development of the Grateful Dead, of the 'big sound' that really defined the concert experience for the Dead, and of course, as a world renowned chemist. This week, thanks to...