This week we feature the second set from a fine late '89 Grateful Dead show - from the Great Western Forum on Sunday, December 10, 1989. In my opinion the meat of this set comes right out of the gate with a exquisite 'Jack Straw' followed by a wonderful, driven 'China Cat Sunflower'. The 'I Know You Rider' is no slouch either and the combo is, in my opinion the highlight of this set. The always-fun 'Man Smart, Woman Smarter' leads into a rather lengthy Drums and Space. The 'Wheel' comes out of s...
Apr 24, 2020•1 hr 34 min
Hello friends.. this week's Deadpod results from a special request and is dedicated to a brother who just lost his battle with cancer - Joel Hatcher. His friend Tiffany who contacted me shared that he was listening to the 'pod throughout his chemo treatments and that he loved the Dead and the Blues. This was their first show together and I'm honored to be able to play it in his honor. This show - from December 12, 1989 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood California, is full of positive energ...
Apr 17, 2020•1 hr 11 min
Strap in for some serious fun on this Good Friday edition of the Deadpod.. the second set from April 2, 1973 at the Boston Gardens is a classic.. There are memorable moments right from the start as Phil warns us to "watch out for the electric popcorn".. We get a mix of well played Dead classics, for example the 'Greatest Story Ever Told' is filled with some unique Garcia wahwahs.. 'Loose Lucy' is bluesy and foreshadows what the song will become later on.. The 'Stella Blue' is dreamlike and spacy...
Apr 10, 2020•2 hr 3 min
I had mastered an entirely different show for this week when I was reminded of this one... I played this one back in 2003 on-air at KOPN in Columbia MO, but never here on the podcast. This one is a monster. We have one of the best of the Spring 73 shows, this one from April 2nd.. Boston Garden. It's a 16 song first set, great sound (a bit of a rough start but that was common in this period :). While the stretching out jams don't come here in set 1, there is a ton to love here. There is a stunnin...
Apr 03, 2020•1 hr 37 min
Might you need some energy after some time cooped up with 'social distancing'? Well I think this show will have you covered.. true primal Dead here.. the frantic scorching solos from Garcia on most of these might not be everyone's cup of tea, but this is a great presentation of where the band came from and what the sound was like back in 1967. This was the third time they had played Winterland and the day after their first album had been released. The Pigpen tunes here are real gems. He sounds o...
Mar 27, 2020•1 hr 29 min
My hope is that this podcast, this music, can bring a little joy and light into your life during this dark and scary time... This week we'll hear the second set from the band's performance on March 23, 1972 from the Academy of Music in New York City. While it is not as long as that massive first set from last week, I think it is uniformly good. 'Truckin' starts things off, nice tempo, lots of energy. The 'Ramble on Rose' is great.. Pig follows with 'Two Souls in Communion' and we're reminded wha...
Mar 20, 2020•1 hr 35 min
This week brings a *huge* first set Deadpod for you, from the famous run of shows at the Academy of Music in New York City on March 23, 1972. This set runs over 2 hours and contains 18 songs! The band was gearing up for the upcoming Europe tour and I think this is one of the best shows of that run. Some of the many highlights include a great 'I Know You Rider' , Pigpen's 'Chinatown Shuffle', the third ever 'Looks Like Rain' with Jerry on the pedal steel, Keith does some great work on 'You Win Ag...
Mar 13, 2020•2 hr 6 min
Here we have a fine second set from the band's last performance at the Uptown Theater in Chicago IL, on February 28, 1981. I think this is a very nice recording and an interesting set list, starting with the 'Cold Rain and Snow' opener, through the heart of this one, the 'Terrapin Station' into drums and Space, then a fine 'Other One' and 'Stella Blue'. While there is a bit of funky echo in spots, for me it doesn't diminish what is an excellent set. Brent has some interesting sounds in that tran...
Mar 06, 2020•1 hr 43 min
39 years ago the band played a fine show at the Uptown Theater in Chicago, which I'm pleased to begin to present to you today. A fine 'Jack Straw' opener begins things on a high note, and the rest of this first set is varied and quite well played on this fine recording. Some of the highlights include a 'Little Red Rooster' with both some fine slide work and some nice color added by Brent, a great 'Big Railroad Blues' (which ones aren't?), and a near-perfect 'Althea'. 'Let it Grow' segs into 'Dea...
Feb 28, 2020•1 hr 15 min
Boy is this one going to eat up my quota! There is almost 2 1/2 hours of smokin' Grateful Dead music in this week's Deadpod, from the second set on 2/23/74 at the Winterland in San Francisco CA. I'm bound to overlook something that you will enjoy in this set, nevertheless I'd call you attention to the wonderful opening set (Row Jimmy through Stella Blue).. as well as the HUGE segment from He's Gone through Eyes of the World.. that 'Other One' is fantastic, including a 'Slipknot' sounding segment...
Feb 21, 2020•2 hr 22 min
Happy Valentine's Day! I couldn't think of a better love letter to send to all of you than a fine portion of classic Grateful Dead from 1974.. from Winterland no less.. this beauty comes from the February '74 run - in this case February 23rd. This first set starts with a rocking 'Around and Around' - a different and welcome way to open a show. They follow with three ballads - 'Dire Wolf', 'Me & Bobby McGee' and 'Sugaree'.. Mexicalli follows then one of the highlights of this first set is a s...
Feb 14, 2020•1 hr 15 min
This week's Deadpod features the debut of another classic Dead song, 'Standing on the Moon', as well as a fine pre-drums 'Playing in the Band' featuring a nice interplay betwen Jerry and Phil. I think this is a well played set, while it doesn't feature a ton of fireworks, it does have an interesting, if slightly dark, feel to the drumz segment and Brent's 'I Will Take You Home' always tugs at the heartstrings. 'He's Gone' is a bit on the slower side, but a wonderful 'Morning Dew' and a particula...
Feb 07, 2020•1 hr 27 min
As we close out the month of January, I decided to feature the first show the band performed back in 1989. This one comes from the Henry J Kaiser Convention Center in Oakland California on February 5, 1989. While there was alot of anxiety among the faithful that this might be the last time the band would be allowed to play in the relatively intimate confines of the Kaiser, the band came out this night determined to put on a show. They feature a number of relative 'new' tunes, including the first...
Jan 31, 2020•1 hr 6 min
One of my favorite periods of Dead music to explore is this January 1969 run at the Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco CA, and this week I decided to feature this set form January 26th. Is it complete? probably not.. is it pristine? certainly not the opening Cryptical which has a spot not far from the beginning that will test your patience.. be patient it is worth it, most of this tape sounds *great*, both in sound quality and the quality of the music. This set contains a rare version of 'Clementi...
Jan 24, 2020•1 hr 21 min
This week's Deadpod starts out with a unique Scarlet>Fire that was released back on Dick's Picks 13 as a 'hidden track'. This one doesn't sound like your usual Scarlet>Fire, the jam is unlike any other and Brent plays, I think, a bigger role (as he does throughout this set). I happen to dig it, hope you do as well. The rest of the (long) pre-drums set contains a fine Samson, a quite long 'Terrapin' (albeit with a small audience patch), and again, an interesting and unique 'Playin' with a j...
Jan 17, 2020•1 hr 54 min
Hello Friends! This week, a show that caught my fancy that for some reason has never been featured here on the Deadpod, but certainly deserves to be.. This comes to us from November 1, 1979 and teh Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale NY. I think the band always enjoyed the NY area and this is I think, quite a fine and energetic outing. This recording starts with an audience patch in 'Jack Straw' but don't let that put you off, its a fine soundboard recording with just a few patches thrown in. Brent and...
Jan 10, 2020•1 hr 21 min
Happy New Year! Well.. not so happy NYE for me -- as my computer was infected with a zero day malware attack that has encrypted much of my digital music files (as well as the rest of my files).. but the show must go on! So this week we will bring you the excellent 2nd set from the band's performance on 12/28/91 at Oakland CA. I think this is quite a strong second set. with a nice 'Foolish Heart' to open, Phil is strong throughout, as is Jerry and even Vince.. 'Standing on the Moon' is a personal...
Jan 03, 2020•1 hr 47 min
Our post-Christmas Deadpod for this week features a show from the band's New Year's run in 1991, this one from Saturday night December 28, 1991. While it is a Saturday night, the band surprises us by opening up with a (partial) version of 'One More Saturday Night' before heading into 'Jack Straw'. Bobby screws up his line, resulting in a roar from the crowd, but the real story of this set is that the band is tight and Jerry is in both fine voice and great virtuosity. Personal highlights include ...
Dec 27, 2019•1 hr
This week's Deadpod celebrates the season with a show from December 23, 1970 at the Winterland in San Francisco CA. I have three different sources for this show, each of them slightly different - I decided to put two of them together. I'm sure the order is probably not right, but the recordings each sound quite nice and I'm hoping that you'll enjoy them this week, as we celebrate the holidays and the fact that soon the days will start to grow lighter each day. Here's the combined setlists: Grate...
Dec 20, 2019•1 hr 41 min
Lucky us! We get to listen to this wonderful second set from December 1, 1979 at the Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh PA on this week's Deadpod. This is a fine recording and the music is quite good, even thrilling at times. The China>Rider opener is just right, then pay attention to the fine opening to 'Looks Like Rain'.. quite unique. 'He's Gone' is done quite well alos, and leads into a wonderful jam that is clearly the highlight of this show.. including a 'Gloria' refrain'.. but just let your...
Dec 13, 2019•1 hr 44 min
Here's a show that I attended and found to be quite magical at the time.. it is from December 1st, 1979 at the Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh PA. A beautiful, small venue, the energy on this night was unmatched and I'm sure it comes through on this nice recording. The show starts with a smoking 'Jack Straw', which Jerry then takes into a long and beautiful 'Sugaree'. After this we know we're in for an evening of great jamming, and the boys don't let us down. 'Uncle>Big River', is even full of ...
Dec 06, 2019•1 hr 15 min
Happy Thanksgiving! As always we present an acoustic performance from the Dead for your Thanksgiving listening and relaxing pleasure. This one is from June 4, 1970 at the Fillmore West in San Francisco California. A fine recording, with a minimum of flaws, I hope you enjoy this as I wish for you a peaceful and happy holiday. Grateful Dead Fillmore West San Francisco, CA 6/4/70 - Thursday Acoustic Monkey & The Engineer Deep Elem Blues Candyman Silver Threads And Golden Needle Friend Of The De...
Nov 28, 2019•52 min
Hey Now! Here's a great second set for your pee-Thanksgiving preparations.. from 11/2/84 at the Berkeley Community Theater, this was probably the highlight of the run, as the band turns in a solid performance highlighted by some great Garcia licks, some amazing Phil sounds and some excellent work from Bobby and Brent. The 'Help>Slip>Frank' is as always, a great opener, and the band revs it up during the jam in Slipknot! Bobby does a fine 'Sailor>Saint' here, and Brent adds a great deal ...
Nov 22, 2019•1 hr 47 min
This week I chose to bring you an unusual show from November 2, 1984 at the Berkeley Community Theater. This was the 4th show of a 5 show run at this small venue, close to home for the band and their fans and it has an intimate feel to it. The band is quite loose, too loose sometimes (listen to Bobby completely lose the lyrics to El Paso) but also interested in mixing things up as you can see from the setlist. A strong 'Jack Straw' starts things up. While Jerry's voice is not at its best this ni...
Nov 15, 2019•49 min
'I want to tell you how it's gonna be.....' and let me tell you this second set from November 24, 1972 in Dallas Texas is one rockin' hour + of fine Grateful Dead music. Unlike most of their four other Texas shows during this leg of the fall '72 tour there is no 'Dark Star' or 'Other One' here.. and this second set is notable for being fairly straight-ahead rock and roll. The show really gets moving with a fantastic 'Truckin' .. Jerrry really takes off here, Sugar Magnolia is no slouch either bu...
Nov 08, 2019•1 hr 17 min
On this week's Deadpod we feature a somewhat rare 'ish' show from November 24, 1972 Dallas Texas. Quite a well-played show, it has a few hiccups here and there, but overall a nice recording as well. Bobby tells us that Pigpen isn't here, at the end of Don't Ease, as he is home sick. I think Jerry throughout is quite on it. Some of my highlights are the Brown Eyed Women, a very nice Black Throated Wind, and a great Playin .... the Deal has an unusual Jerry vocal flub ;) Grateful Dead Dallas Memor...
Nov 01, 2019•1 hr 18 min
This week's Deadpod features the second set of the band's 'From Egypt With Love' performances at Winterland on October 18, 1978. This is an interesting set, it starts out rather slow, with a less than inspired 'Bertha'>'Good Lovin'. If you're a fan, Donna Jean's 'From the Heart of Me' follows.. I rather enjoy it, but it may be an acquired taste. 'Ship of Fools' follows, then the pre-drums highlight 'Samson and Delilah'. 'Terrapin Station' follows, but Jerry blows the lyrics and does an extend...
Oct 25, 2019•1 hr 48 min
We go back 41 years to this day in 1978 at Winterland in San Francisco to revisit the band's 2nd in the series of 'From Egypt with Love' concerts.This is a tight, well-played set with the band playing as well together as anyone could ask. The opening 'Sugaree' is massive - don't let the first few minutes of audience patch deter you from listening to this - Garcia soars here. I have to mention 'Big River' as well. Likewise on the 'Peggy-O', one of the best versions of this you might ever hear. Ev...
Oct 18, 2019•1 hr 19 min
This week's Deadpod features the band's performance at the Rainbow Theater in London England on Saturday October 3rd, 1981. This second set contains some wonderful improvisational music and both a fabulous pre-drums setlist and a spectacular Morning Dew. I think you'll agree that the music here flows beyond the structure of these songs to explore some unexpected places before settling back into familiar terrain. There's some great sound in Drums and Space as well. Grateful Dead Rainbow Theatre L...
Oct 11, 2019•1 hr 41 min
We start out October with a show from across the pond in London, England on October 3rd, 1981. A well-played, rockin' first set gives a few hints as to the improvisation that will follow in set 2 next week. 'Alabama Getaway' is the opener, not uncommon for the time, and while the sound is a bit dicey at first things clear up nicely for the rest of the set. There's a really nice 'Peggy-O' here, and the 'Little Red Rooster' is a real rocker. 'Bird Song' has some very nice moments from Garcia, and ...
Oct 04, 2019•1 hr 19 min
