Well in some ways I guess this one is appropriate this week.... The second set from Nov. 8th, 1985 has some great highs and some lows. It starts with a version of 'Revolution' with some nice jams but Garcias stepping all over the lyrics ;) Estimated Prophet follows with an excellent jam, especially as it goes into a less than stellar 'Eyes of the World'. Drums and Space follow and then a nice 'Other One' into a short 'I Need A Miracle'. The highlight of the set, if not the show follows, with a w...
Nov 11, 2016•1 hr 19 min
This week, on the eve of the election, I decided to bring you what I consider to be a really fun show from the fall of 1985. This comes to us from Rochester New York on November 8th, 1985. The boys are really loose and having fun and deliver a really good (if uneven) performance. We have a nice sounding recording to share, and I think you'll find the first set quite entertaining this week. This one starts with a rockin' Iko, Iko, into a down and dirty 'Little Red Rooster'. Garcia provides a nice...
Nov 04, 2016•49 min
Happy Halloween! Always a favorite among Deadheads, while Halloween doesn't happen until Monday I thought it only appropriate to share one of the classic Halloween performances with you this week. This set is one of two the band played on Halloween, 1970 from the gym at the State University of New York at Stoney Brook. A fine show, as most are from this era, it starts with quite a rare treat - 'Till the Morning Comes' - sadly they don't do the very best with this, but then we get a great 'Hard T...
Oct 28, 2016•1 hr 11 min
This week's Deadpod features the second set from October 15th, 1976 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA. I think this set has several very interesting moments. The first is the fine transition from the opening 'Eyes of the World' to 'The Music Never Stopped'. This was a the only time they ever played these two in this order, but I wonder why when listening to this performance. A long He's Gone leads into a short drums but then a mighty 'Other One'. The 'Comes A Time' that follows is one ...
Oct 21, 2016•1 hr 38 min
How about a show this week from 40 years ago out in Southern California? The boys' first trip back since their 'retirement' found them playing a pair of shows in L.A. at the Shrine Auditorium. Despite some heavy handed law enforcement, they delivered a solid performance, especially here on the 2nd night - October 15th, 1976. The first set which we feature this week, starts off with a surprisingly good 'Might As Well' - I especially enjoyed the ending jams! The set is consistently well played. I ...
Oct 14, 2016•1 hr 10 min
A real classic recording of some outstanding good ol' Grateful Dead this week, as we enjoy the band's performance on June 27th, 1969 at Veterans Auditorium in Santa Rosa California. This is one long set, as there were several bands on the bill this night and we get to hear some of the first performances of several songs destined to become classics. Slewfoot - the opening number wasn't one of those, but this is likely to be something you've never heard before - an old Johnny Horton number, with J...
Oct 07, 2016•1 hr 36 min
This week the Deadpod presents the second set from the band's performance on September 22nd, 1993 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY. The set features jazz saxophonist David Murray throughout, and with blues harmonica player James Cotton sitting in on the last two numbers of the set (although he is sadly not up very well in the mix). As you might expect this is jazzy throughout, so if you don't enjoy a bit of jazz mixed with your GD this might not be your cup of tea. This is a fine re...
Sep 30, 2016•1 hr 34 min
We bid adieu to Summer this week with perhaps the best GD show of 1993.. this one is from Madison Square Garden, and took place 23 years ago on September 22nd, 1993. The show marked the first of two appearances of jazz saxophonist David Murray with the boys - he sits in during the first set on a wonderful 'Bird song' and throughout the 2nd set. One of my listeners recently informed me that I had never featured a show from this year on the Deadpod and asked that I do so. I can't think of a better...
Sep 23, 2016•1 hr 1 min
This week's Deadpod features set 2 from the Dead's performance at the Easttown Theater in Detroit Michgan back on October 24th, 1971. A fine recording, this set starts with a nice Truckin', especially enjoyable is the jam just before the last verse. What sounds odd here is that the song simply stops... They take up 'Ramble On Rose'. It being only the 5th time they had played the song, the phrasing and even some of the lyrics are still being developed.. It is quite interesting to hear. Mexicali B...
Sep 16, 2016•1 hr 12 min
I struggled a bit deciding what to play this week - I was pulled this way and that but finally settled on an overlooked gem of a show from the Fall tour of 1971. This was Keith Godchaux's first tour with the band, and Pigpen is not with them on this night due to his declining health. This show was the second of two (and the fourth show in four nights) which took place in Detroit Michigan on October 24th, 1971 at the Easttown Theater. I think you'll find every one of these numbers to be a real tr...
Sep 09, 2016•1 hr 23 min
Happy Labor Day weekend! I'm hoping that this second set - from 8/28/18 in Long Beach California, will provide some sweet musical accompaniment to your your long weekend (assuming you will have one! if not my sympathies!). This is an excellent set, starting off with a rockin' 'Shakedown Street'. While the 'Lost Sailor' provides a bit of a counter-point, the 'Saint of Circumstance' should put you back in the groove. Garcia's 'Wheel' that follows is a real treat - especially the jam afterwards tha...
Sep 02, 2016•1 hr 48 min
This week's Deadpod, a request from a supporter of the show, comes to us from Long Beach CA, on August 28th, 1981. They open with "Jack Straw" (the beginning here is patched from an audience source).. and Bob does the 'we used to play for silver now we play for Clive" line.. but still a solid effort as is most of the first set. I'm particulary fond of the Big River, Althea and the closing 'Let It Grow'->China ->Rider which is an unusual first set ending. Long Beach Arena, Long Beach, CA (8...
Aug 26, 2016•1 hr 16 min
This week I'm going to try something a little bit different on the Deadpod and bring you a sample of this summer's Dead & Company tour. Personally this happened to be the only show I had the opportunity to attend, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and since I've had some requests for this material I thought I'd share some with you... This is the first set of Dead & Co's show at the DTE Energy Theater in Clarkson MI on July 7th, 2016. It was a beautiful night and the scene was quite relaxing an...
Aug 19, 2016•1 hr 13 min
We seem to have entered the dog days of August.. lots of heat and humidity, but I'm hoping you don't find this second set from April 22nd 1986 to be a dog too! It starts with a nice China->Rider, and following a 'Looks Like Rain' we get treated to a nice long Terrapin Station.. clearly the highlight of this pre-coma show. Post drums and space is dominated by Weir, with a 'Spoonful ->Throwin Stones' combo followed by 'Black Peter' then 'Lovelight' to close the set. The boys return to end th...
Aug 12, 2016•1 hr 33 min
This week's Deadpod is the result of a request for something from 86 or 87 from a longtime supporter of the Deadpod so I decided to pull out this show, which is one of my favorites from the early 86 shows.. This comes to us from the Berkeley Community Theater, April 22nd, 1986. The set opens with a wonderful coupling of Box of Rain -> Visons of Johanna.. the last time the band would play that Dylan tune until the final year of 1995. This is a very fine version indeed. The remainder of the set...
Aug 05, 2016•53 min
A quintessential 1972 Grateful Dead second set is on the docket for this week's Deadpod. This set from July 26th, 1972, at Portland's Paramont Theater clocks in at a little over two hours.. It features a number of wonderful highlights, including one of the last performances of 'You Win Again', and early 'He's Gone', and to top it all off, a 30 minute+ Dark Star. While this Dark Star is clearly the highlight of the set, there are stunning performances throughout - capped off by a smoking hot 'Not...
Jul 29, 2016•2 hr 12 min
This week the Deadpod goes back to July 1972 to bring you a show from what could be viewed as a transitional period for the band, July 26th, 1972 from Portland Oregon. This is only the 6th show the band did without Pigpen, and some of the songs we get to hear in this first set are still relatively new. I don't feel the band disappoints however, certainly not in the massive Dark Star we'll hear next week, but neither in this 12 song, 1 hour 44 minute first set.. I hope you agree.. Grateful Dead P...
Jul 22, 2016•1 hr 42 min
After an admittedly somewhat bumpy first set, we return to Foxboro during the Summer of 1990 for the second set of the band's performance there on July 14th, 1990. They come out of the gate (following an amusing 'Take a step back') with a pleasant and somewhat jazzy Eyes, followed by a reggae inspired Estimated Prophet. There's some great work by Phil here, followed by a dreamy 'Crazy Fingers'. Uncle John's Band follows and the crowd breaks into a singalong.. Following drums and space, we get wh...
Jul 15, 2016•1 hr 50 min
As we roll into the heart of summer, it seemed appropriate to me to bring you a show from the fine summer tour of 1990. A request from a listener to the Deadpod, we feature the first set of the Dead's performance on July 14th, 1990 at Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro MA. As was often the case during this tour it was a hot, hot day (my own memories of several shows cause me to break into a sweat). The boys open up with an appropriate 'Shakedown Street' opener, but then lead into one of my least favorit...
Jul 08, 2016•1 hr 3 min
Happy 4th of July weekend! While this week's Deadpod didn't take place on the 4th, or feature a U.S. Blues, I do think there are plenty of fireworks right here to entertain you during this long holiday weekend! As usual for a '73 show, there are a number of tunes in this second set that you'd expect to see in a first set - alongside some wonderful exploratory jams. While this isn't a perfect recording.. I think it more than packs a punch and hope you will enjoy it as much as I do! I would especi...
Jul 01, 2016•1 hr 57 min
It took me quite alot of consideration before I decided upon this week's Deadpod. There are a large number of great shows to choose from that took place in the latter part of June over the years, but I decided upon a show from one of my most favorite years - 1973. This show is from June 26th, 1973 the Seattle Center Arena, in Seattle Washington. This show has some issues - the first three songs come from an audience source and I hope you are patient as while the sound quality here is not pristin...
Jun 24, 2016•1 hr 30 min
This week we feature the second set from the band's 15th Anniversary show which took place on June 8th, 1980 at Folsom Field at the University of Colorado in Boulder Colorado. A very nice 'Feel Like A Stranger' opens things up, and I think it contains more than its usual share of Garcia explorations.. 'Ship of Fools' follows, it always struck me as almost anthem-like in how it skates over the edges of politics... much needed these days.. 'Estimated Prophet' marks the start of the meat of this se...
Jun 17, 2016•1 hr 31 min
36 years ago this week the band performed at what was billed as their '15th Anniversary Concert', at Folsom Field at the University of Colorado in Boulder Colorado. While the band members denied that the date held any special significance at the time, the setlist and level of musicianship that emerged belied that. This first set opens with just an incredible, and unheard of, Uncle John's Band-> Playin' In the Band->Uncle John's Band combo! Talk about putting the pedal down... They go on to...
Jun 10, 2016•1 hr 10 min
This week we are treated to the fine audience recording of the second set of the band's performance back on May 6, 1978 at Patrick Field House at the University of Vermont in Burlington VT. This is a continuation of the fine Garcia performance put on last week in Set 1. We are treated to some wonderful vocals and even better jamming in this second set. The Samson is a perfect start to get the ball rolling, then Donna delivers on a very pretty Sunrise. Terrapin follows and I'm sure those in atten...
Jun 03, 2016•1 hr 32 min
Sometimes the inspiration for a Deadpod will hit me when I'm looking over setlists, trying to see which one fits my mood for the season we're in. This week, i was turned onto a show I hadn't listened to before from one of our contributing listeners, who told me about this , his first Dead show. This comes to us from May 6th, 1978 at the University of Vermont in Burlington VT. This is a fine recording - soundboard in this week's first set, audience in next week's second set but both showcase the ...
May 27, 2016•1 hr 9 min
This week we go way back to some of our earliest great recordings of the band for this beauty from November 11th, 1967. A request from a birthday kiwi down in New Zealand, (Happy Birthday Lawrence - and to my friend Jay as well!!) this is a fabulous show highlighted with tremendous performances from Pigpen on keyboards and vocals. Garcia has a couple of really nice solos on the amazing 'Death Don't Have No Mercy' that I really like.. there is a crackling energy throughout this tape that is well ...
May 20, 2016•1 hr 38 min
Friday the 13th finds us featuring the second set from the band's performance 30 years ago at Cal Expo on May 3rd, 1986. A nice bouncy Scarlet starts us off, with some pleasing trills from Brent (if you enjoy his additions).. the transition into Fire is one of the highlights of the set.. quite unusual.. Jerry gives a great reading of 'Fire on the Mountain', his voice in relatively good condition, just a bit strained.. They follow with 'Man Smart, Women Smarter'.. which always got the crowd up on...
May 13, 2016•1 hr 23 min
I do hope it is a beautiful day in May whereever you are! As we go back 30 years to a day that started out rainy but ended up beautiful out in California on the first weekend in May when a horse named 'Ferdinand' rode by the great Willie Shoemaker took the Kentucky Derby back in Louisville KY., but the Dead celebrated the day with a fine show at Cal Expo. They chase away the raindrops with a fine 'Cold Rain and Snow' then bring out the 'Race is On'.. They follow with a lovely 'They Love Each Oth...
May 06, 2016•48 min
I think we have a really top-notch set for you this week. The second set from April 19th, 1978 at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Columbus Ohio is filled with wonderful jamming and great song selections. It starts with the always energetic 'Samson and Delilah', then moves into a great version of 'It Must've Been The Roses' .. I think you'll find Donna (and Keith) both shine in this set. A nicely jammed out 'Estimated Prophet' leads into a fine 'He's Gone'. The Drums that follows to me showca...
Apr 29, 2016•1 hr 47 min
This week we travel back to the spring tour of 1978 to bring you an excellent recording of a show the boys did back on April 19th, 1978 in Columbus Ohio. They come to play as they open up with a smokin' hot 'Bertha' which then goes into 'Good Lovin' to start the set. This serves to highlight perhaps the slower paced but still beautiful 'Friend of the Devil' that follows. 'Passenger' shows how strong Donna can be, and is probably my favorite tune of hers. A beautiful 'Candyman' then follows, alon...
Apr 22, 2016•1 hr 7 min
