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 special show for family and friends. While the first set doesn't contain the surprises of set 2, it...
Mar 01, 2019•1 hr
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, despite a cut in the tape at the start of the song. 'Terrapin' itself is of course a highlight, as t...
Feb 22, 2019•1 hr 8 min
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 night, here in the first set they play 'Estimated Prophet' for only the 2nd time and the playing throu...
Feb 15, 2019•1 hr 24 min
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 shoe to drop. Eventually Jerry's notes flutter in like a bee, as the rhythm intensifies; a beautiful...
Feb 08, 2019•1 hr 58 min
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 rest of the members make up for it in my opinion. My favorites here include a sparkling 'Big River' and...
Feb 01, 2019•56 min
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 day period here then put it away for another seven years. While this one is only one verse, there is so...
Jan 25, 2019•1 hr 45 min
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 has some nice highlights. The boys start out by taking us to the Promised Land, which gets everyone ...
Jan 18, 2019•1 hr 38 min
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 or the great 'Dark Star' jam here. Naturally hearing Pigpen in his prime is just another bonus, (althou...
Jan 11, 2019•1 hr 49 min
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'. The "second" set features a nice lenghty 'Playin' In The Band'. 'Not Fade Away' and 'Sugar Magnol...
Jan 04, 2019•1 hr 35 min
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 Pigpen was considered the real frontman during this period when you listen to that Lovelight. I hope yo...
Dec 28, 2018•57 min
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 this choice, its a fine show that was performed back on April 3rd, 1970 at the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati O...
Dec 21, 2018•1 hr 25 min
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 has some nice interplay between Jerry, Vince and Bruce. The band doesn't slow down, post-drums, wit...
Dec 14, 2018•1 hr 48 min
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 closing 'Valley Road'. I wish the band would've chosen to practice some of these Hornsby tunes, I k...
Dec 07, 2018•1 hr 13 min
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 their energy and inventiveness. You won't be wrong to assume looking at the set list, that the highligh...
Nov 30, 2018•1 hr 2 min
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 Theater San Francisco, California September 27, 1980 Saturday 1. // Jack-A-Roe 2. The Monkey & The Engi...
Nov 22, 2018•49 min
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.. they follow with a 25-beat 'Beat It On Down the Line', but Billy stops at 24 so they reset with Gar...
Nov 16, 2018•1 hr 26 min
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' has a wonderfully explosive yet controlled pace . After a fairly short 'drums' we have a beautiful int...
Nov 09, 2018•1 hr 12 min
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 from this first set include Tennessee Jed, Passenger and an amazing 'Music Never Stopped'. We will ...
Nov 02, 2018•1 hr 21 min
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 versions of the band. It's so easy to lose oneself in the arabesque jam leading up to Phil's familiar e...
Oct 26, 2018•1 hr 14 min
While this tape may not be complete, and it does take a bit to for the crew to dial the sound in completely, I decided to bring you this gem from the fall of 1973. This took place on October 23rd in Bloomington MN. From the lists I've seen what I have is probably not the complete show and may not be in the correct order. What is certain is that there is some very fine music here that I hope you enjoy! We will hear set 2 next week.. Grateful Dead October 23, 1973 Metropolitan Sports Center Bloomi...
Oct 19, 2018•1 hr 23 min
This week we return to the Grateful Dead's first visit to the Frost Amphitheater on the campus of Stanford University in Palo Alto California on October 10th, 1982. This second set starts with a very unusual 'Throwin' Stones'>'Touch of Gray' opener; both songs are relatively new and contain some different lyrics which makes them even more interesting. 'Estimated' into 'Eyes of the World' follows, and I think you can really hear the color that Brent has brought into the band on this Eyes, its ...
Oct 12, 2018•1 hr 26 min
I don't often feature audience recordings on the Deadpod but this one is so clean and of such a great show that I decided to share it this week.. this comes to us from October 9th, 1982 at the Frost Ampitheater in Palo Alto, CA. This was by all reports, a fun, sunny day on which both band and audience thoroughly enjoyed themselves and each other. You can hear it in the songs.. some favorites of mine 'On The Road Again' with a nice transition into 'Beat It On Down The Line'.. a great version of '...
Oct 05, 2018•1 hr 5 min
This week's Deadpod is the result of a request from a longtime listener/supporter of the show. It comes to us from early in 1972, March 5th, 1972, only the second show of that legendary year, and the last time that Pigpen played with the band in San Francisco. This show was a benefit for the American Indains, and the Dead were the third band on the agenda. It turns out that they were pressed for time a bit by the 2 AM curfew, and so the second set was a bit abbreviated and rushed. I've only pres...
Sep 28, 2018•1 hr 22 min
This week's Deadpod features the 2nd set from the performance on September 19th, 1990 at Madison Square Garden in New York. This is one of the better latter day Dead shows. Bruce brings a spark to Jerry, and the boys are jamming full blast here. The jam out of the great Let it Grow with Bob, Bruce and Jerry is outstanding! But don't overlook the fine Goin' Down the Road.. Stella Blue as always, pulls on the heartstrings.. Grateful Dead Madison Square Garden New York , NY 9/19/90 - Wednesday Two ...
Sep 21, 2018•1 hr 49 min
I always love to feature a show from the historic September 1990 run at Madison Square Garden in New York City. This week I decided to bring you this wonderful show from Wednesday, September 19th 1990. This first set is energetic, and played wonderfully. Of course, the band was finding itself anew after losing Brent, and Bruce Hornsby's fourth show as a member of the band, bringing a new vitality to the group. A great 'Jack Straw' starts thing soff, but don't overlook the energy on 'Big River'. ...
Sep 14, 2018•1 hr 4 min
It always feels special when I can reach way back in the archives for some truly 'primal' Dead, and this week's show certainly fits. This is a fabulous show from September 3rd, 1967 at a dance hall in Rio Nido CA. There were supposedly a very small crowd, perhaps as few as 25 there, but as Phil recalled later, " This was recorded at a Russian River resort ballroom on Sunday night of Labor Day Weekend - I don't think there were more than 25 people there, but we played our little hearts out for th...
Sep 07, 2018•1 hr 59 min
For a long Labor Day weekend I think this week's Deadpod provides a perfect soundtrack - the second set from the band's smoking performance on August 24th, 1972 at the Berkeley Community Theater in Berkeley CA. Each of these standards are played most excellently. In addition we are treated to a true pinnacle of improvisational excellence with the 'Dark Star>Morning Dew'. I would have thought they'd close out after that but rather than that they rev it back up with a hot 'Sugar Magnolia', 'Ram...
Aug 31, 2018•1 hr 58 min
This week's Deadpod features a show from 46 years ago at the Berkeley Community Theater in Berkeley CA. This run, which lead up to the famous show at Veneta Oregon on the 27th, often is overlooked, but is a stellar example of why the band were at the top of their game during this period. While I previously featured the next night of this run, this may well be the better of those two. While the playing is wonderful throughout (and perhaps even more spacy and exciting in set 2) the jam between 'Ch...
Aug 24, 2018•1 hr 26 min
This week another super long set from 1974 - this of course is the second set from August 6th, 1974 at Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City New Jersey. What a way to start - a wonderful 'Uncle John's Band' with a great jammy intro.. other great highlights from this set include a personal favorite - a nice 'Black Peter', an excellent 'Loose Lucy' and 'Ship Of Fools' - a bit more uptempo which I think suits the song well. Again here in this set you'll see no dedicated 'drums->space' segment, but th...
Aug 17, 2018•2 hr
As summer flies, it seems this might be a good choice to wrap up the 'days between' and lead us into the rest of August; a true classic from August 6th, 1974 at Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City, New Jersey. The band is full on throughout this fabulous first set clocks in at over 90 minutes with some of the best versions of some of these standards that you'll find during 1974. You can feel the energy pumping out from them from Bertha onwards.. the Jack Straw is great, and you wonder how Eyes foun...
Aug 10, 2018•1 hr 35 min
