The Deadpod

Hope you had a wonderful holiday - this week I'm going to finish playing that wonderful show from 1971 we started two weeks ago - this second part features an absolutely inspired Not Fade Away->Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad into one of those classic Pigpen Lovelights.. Grateful Dead - August 4, 1971 Terminal Island Correctional Facility - San Pedro, CA Cumberland Blues, Big Boss Man, Sugaree, El...

Hoping everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.. I know how grateful I am for all my blessings and hope you feel the same way.. This week I continue my tradition of bringing you acoustic Dead around the holidays. Two shows this week - the first from the iconic accoustic sets from the fall of 1980: Grateful Dead - September 30, 1980 Warfield Theatre - San Francisco, CA On The Road Again, Jack-A-Roe,...

This week we have the pleasure of listening to the second set of 6/26/76. Just from the setlist you can see this is a truly classic set.. I have a fondness for a great Playin' and this show also has a wonderful Crazy Fingers, and a beautiful Stella Blue.. Grateful Dead Auditorium Theatre Chicago, IL 6/26/76 - Saturday Two Playing In The Band [15:06] > Saint Stephen [9:46] > The Wheel [5:37] > Play...

This week we have the pleasure of listening to the second set of 6/26/76. Just from the setlist you can see this is a truly classic set.. I have a fondness for a great Playin' and this show also has a wonderful Crazy Fingers, and a beautiful Stella Blue.. Grateful Dead Auditorium Theatre Chicago, IL 6/26/76 - Saturday Two Playing In The Band [15:06] > Saint Stephen [9:46] > The Wheel [5:37] > Play...

This week's Deadpod was suggested to me by a posting on a list server I belong to that claimed this show had "the best" Peggy O ever... now I'm not a believer in that sort of thing generally - too many wonderful versions of these songs to identify, in most cases, "the best" version of any of them.. but it did get me to pull this one out and give it a listen..I was pleased and hope you will be too...

The wheel keeps turning and it can't slow down.... I thought it appropriate to play something to start this week's Deadpod in memory of a lovely man and wonderful musician, Merl Saunders.. I think you'll enjoy the rest of the show from the Centrum - a great Terrapin and the always nice Dear Mr. Fantasy->Hey Jude are highlights for me.. Have a WONDERFUL Halloween Merl Saunders & Jerry Garcia - 'Tha...

This week would have marked the 56th Birthday of Brent Mydland - so I decided to play something from the late 80s- a period where I really enjoy Brent's contributions. An interesting set list and some inspired playing from both Brent and Jerry (especially in the 2nd set which I'll be bringing you next week).. Grateful Dead The Centrum Worcester, MA Date 4/9/88 - Saturday One Big Boss Man [4:52] ;...

This week we're treated to the second set of October 2nd, 1977 from Portland OR. I think you'll find this to be a a real treat - a wonderful Samson kicks it off, followed by a nearly perfect Scarlet->Fire. I think you'll love what Garcia does here - especially in the transition! The Playin' that follows becomes gloriously out there - I think you'll find Phil is really taking the lead here and in t...

I don't always get to play requests - but sometimes I can and this week I'm sharing a show that was recently requested - October 2nd, 1977. This is a fine performance - and a Betty board to boot. I think the fun they're having back on stage is clearly reflected in their playing. This is a fine recording of a fun show I think you'll enjoy. I need to take a moment to THANK everyone who contributed t...

This week's Deadpod is big in every way - a wonderful second set that features a fabulous Eyes of the World->Estimated Prophet->Franklin's Tower that lasts nearly an hour and is among the best versions ever of these songs. This comes to us from the great fall of 79 tour, this one is from November 5th, 1979 from the Spectrum in Philadelphia. The entire set is a real treat, starting with a rare seco...

While I only have the second set of this show, I think you'll agree that it's well worth your time. This show features a wonderful pre-Drums seven song segment that starts with a rousing China-Rider, then goes into a rare Stranger->Comes a Time sequeway. Always a favorite, the Comes A Time is blusey and very well played. The band then drives into Estimated into a wonderful He's Gone and a very une...

This week, the conclusion of their powerful set from 7/31/74. What a time to be a Deadhead! This show featured 3 powerful sets - this week we'll listen to the end of set 2, and all of set 3.. There's plenty of wonderful jamming and singing on these songs - I especially love the 'Ramble on Rose' and 'To Lay Me Down' - and be sure to listen to the 'Mind Left Body jam' after 'Truckin' - great stuff!!...

This week's Deadpod goes back to the fabulous summer of 1974 - I think its clear from listening to this show that the band is really putting out some fabulous music. Not only is the show distinguished by an opening Scarlet Begonias, but I think you'll agree that the China-Rider and the Eyes are distinguished by their intensity and beauty.. Grateful Dead Dillon Stadium Hartford, CT 7/31/74 - Wednes...

Somehow the fact that this is a partial show .. all that exists from a phenomenal performance - befits the significance of the date. I am honored to be able to keep bringing this music to you, my friends, and I hope as you listen to this set and reflect on Garcia that you feel the light of the love which is the Grateful Dead fill you. Grateful Dead Berkeley Community Theatre Berkeley, CA 8/25/72 -...

Those of you who follow the Deadpod know that I often prefer to play lesser known performances rather than very well known ones. There's often lots of surprises there to be heard - but there's nothing wrong with bringing out the well-known and loved dates sometimes either. This week I'm playing one of the those - this one a live "free concert" from the "hiatus" of 1975 - Sept. 28th, 1975 from Gold...

Happy Birthday Jerry! I decided against the idea of doing a Jerry "tribute" - heck every Deadpod is a tribute to the virtuosity and spirit of Garcia - he should still be with us - he'd only be 66 today........... this week I'm playing set 2 of 9/2/79 - Enjoy the fabulous Weather Report Suite and Garcia's intense jam out of that.. I don't need to tell you to listen to the Stella Blue.. :) Grateful...

This week we're fortunate to have another of the 'From Egypt with Love' show recordings to share with you - this one is from 10/20/78 and has to rank as one of the best shows of that great year. This week we'll hear the first set - its really a rockin'/jammin' show and I know you'll enjoy 'They Love Each Other' and 'Tennessee Jed' among other treats: Grateful Dead Winterland Arena San Francisco, C...

Happy 4th of July!! Since this week's Deadpod falls on the 4th I decided to share a show that ranks up with some of the most memorable I ever attended - July 4th, 1990 at Sandstone Amphitheater in Bonner Springs, KS. Man was it ever *hot* - broiling - they had no ice at the venue.. I remember when certain substances kicked in and the sun was broiling us and we were giggling about that old frying p...

This week we get to listen to the second set of the Dead's performance on 10/20/78 at Winterland in San Francisco. I don't think there's really any throw-away tunes in this set - from the opening Half-Step->Franklins, to the exploratory(!) Dancin' In the Streets this is really classic, Good 'ol Grateful Dead. The double encore, Johnny B Goode and Shakedown Street, just puts the band's own exclamat...

This week I'm bringing you a show that really showcases, I think, what Brent Mydland brought to the band - in honor of the 18th anniversary of his last show with the Grateful Dead which occurred this week. This show, 9/2/79, is one of those Fall '79 shows where Brent really was out front and his playing was so spirited that I'm sure he inspired everyone else.. This week the first set, next week th...

This week we have one of those great shows from 1971 - for a long time the only soundboard in circulation of this show only contained three songs - but luckily for us this has now surfaced and we have the pleasure of listening to this entire show.. I'll play the second set next week, but there's plenty to chew on here - notice of course the very last 'Easy Wind', and a fabulous 'Me & Bobby McGee'....

This week we get to hear the rest of that fine 1st set - and the entire 2nd set - from the classic performance of 5/4/77 at the Palladium in NYC., NY. The first set ends with a fine and very well played Dancin' In the Streets, but the real meat of this show is the 2nd set, in my opinion. Here we have a monsterous 45 minute Terrapin->Playin'->Comes a Time->Playin that just will blow your socks off....

This week the conclusion of Bruce Hornsby's first show as a member of the band, 9/15/90 at Madison Square Garden. I think you'll especially enjoy the first half of this set which I find exceptionally well-played and tight throughout. You'll also want to listen to the only post-Brent 'Gimme Some Lovin' with Hornsby - very tasty stuff. The crowd really feeds the band on this one and its obvious thro...

Hello friends ! I've had a longstanding request to play a Bruce Hornsby show and while this *is* an atypical one, nevertheless its a good one.. his very first show with the Dead, 9/15/90 from Madison Square Garden in New York. We'll play the first set this week, and I think you'll agree its loaded with energy. Jerry really enjoyed playing with Bruce right from the start as is evident in this recor...

This week a newly released sbd from 1972! I can't resist playing this one, and I think you'll agree that its more than worth your attention this week.. This is from November 15th, 1972, Oklahoma City, OK. All we have is the second set - but its a beauty... Grateful Dead - November 15, 1972 Oklahoma City Music Hall - Oklahoma City, OK Promised Land, Ramble on Rose, Mexicali Blues, Brokedown Palace,...