This week we present the second set from the band's historic run at RFK Stadiuim in Washington D. C. the weekend of June 9, 1973. This is a fine, long, wall-of-sound, show and it's no wonder that it ranked highly in Dick Latvala's estimation ( https://gdsets.com/latvala/1973_06_09.jpg) . While there is some confusion over the exact start of this setlist, I'm choosing to include the Greatest Story Ever Told as the opener. The band then moves into an excellent China>Rider, although some have th...
Jun 18, 2021•1 hr 57 min
This week we bring you a fine recording of an often overlooked gem from the Summer of 1973. This comes to us from RFK Stadium in Washington DC on Saturday, June 9, 1973. This date is often overlooked in favor of the next day (which we played back in '08). On both dates, the band shared the bill with the Allman Brothers. On this very hot day, the Dead opened, and played two excellent sets. The first set, which we'll hear this week, while not featuring any extended jams, nevertheless delivers some...
Jun 11, 2021•1 hr 29 min
Here is the second set of the band's performance at the 'In Concert Against AIDS' event that took place on May 27, 1989 at Oakland California. Clarence Clemmons sits in on the first four songs of set 2 and the closing Lovelight, and I think to particularly nice effect on the 'Fire On the Mountain' and 'Lovelight'. There are two very nice Brent tunes here - a good version of 'Blow Away' and a sweet 'I Will Take You Home' out of space. Jerry delivers a perfect version of 'Wharf Rat' out of 'The Ot...
Jun 04, 2021•1 hr 32 min
Hey Now! Summer is here and the time is right... :) Anyway I think this is a fun show for this Memorial Day weekend - not a great show, but a fun show.. this is from May 27, 1989 - 'In Concert Against AIDS'. The band appeared with several other groups (most notably perhaps John Fogerty who Bobby and Jerry shared the stage with), and this set features Clarence Clemons of the E Street Band on much of the songs. The first set features some uptempo numbers including an opening 'Touch of Gray' and an...
May 28, 2021•58 min
This week we continue with the second set of the band's performance from The Ohio State University on September 30, 1976. This features an unusual setlist starting with an unexpected and rather powerful 'Lazy Lightning', and then, after some lyrical stumbles, goes into a heated 'Supplication'. 'It Must Have Been the Roses' starts out somewhat slowly but builds to a very nice finish. An excellent 'Samson and Delilah' follows, with Phil throwing out some snappy bass lines. The band then moves into...
May 21, 2021•1 hr 28 min
I'm going to shuffle the deck a little bit and bring you a real treat, a show from the fall of 1976. This comes to us from September 30, 1976 at Mershon Auditorium at The Ohio State University. This special request from a friend of the Deadpod features a fantastic first set. The opening 'Music Never Stopped' is quite unique - and features some wonderful playing by Garcia in the cresendo leading into a sweet 'Sugaree'. 'Looks Like Rain' has a nice interplay between Bob and Donna, and 'El Paso' ha...
May 14, 2021•1 hr 24 min
This week's Deadpod brings us the second set of the band's fine performance at Cal Expo on May 4, 1991. They continue what has been a solid show, opening with the perhaps odd choice of 'Victim or the Crime'. That darkness has to give however as they then move onto a wonderful 'Crazy Fingers' and 'Playin In the Band'. It sounds for a bit at the end of the latter that they will move into Drums, but Jerry and Phil instead turn the sound around to a nice version of 'Uncle John's Band'. Post-drums fe...
May 07, 2021•1 hr 41 min
This week on the Deadpod we feature a Kentucky Derby Day performance by the band back in 1991. This was at Cal Expo, in Sacramento California on May 4, 1991. The band starts out hard and tight with a roaring 'Hell In a Bucket'. They are without Hornsby here, and in some ways sound tighter and more together (although I'm well aware that opinions differ on how Vince sounds here). The 'Sugaree' that follows is very good, with Garcia really ramping it up in the solo. I think that the version of 'The...
Apr 30, 2021•1 hr 19 min
This week the Deadpod goes back to the Spring of 1969 for a set the Dead played in Chicago at a place either called 'The Electric Theater' or the 'Kinetic Playground' depending on where you look :) While this is a short set, the story goes that the Velvet Underground was on the same bill, and played before the Dead. Apparently they played a very long set and the Dead were left with only enough time for a short set. The story goes that the Dead returned the favor the next night... Their set opens...
Apr 23, 2021•1 hr 7 min
We have a very fine second set this week from the Grateful Dead's performance at the Hartford Civic Center on April 18, 1982. While the show is known for the famous 'Earthquake Space' that Phil creates following drums, the interplay throughout is wonderful from all the members of the band and this fine recording captures that fun and joy completely. I would draw your attention in particular to the wonderful 'Samson and Delilah' here. Bob and Jerry really spice this one up wonderfully. It's a fin...
Apr 16, 2021•1 hr 28 min
This week we have the first set of a legendary show from April 18, 1982 in Hartford CT. Those of you familiar with either the history of the Grateful Dead or of San Francisco know that April 18, 1906 was the date of the great San Francisco Earthquake, and this show is famous for its legendary 'Earthquake Space'. Since I prefer presenting complete shows, and since this first set is quite good on its own merits, we'll hear it this week, and the second set, complete with the 'earthquake space' next...
Apr 09, 2021•1 hr 20 min
This week we are fortunate enough to hear the second set of the band's fine performance from March 20, 1977 at the Winterland in San Francisco. A Sunday show, this set starts out appropriately enough with a great 'Samson and Delilah'. A beautiful 'Row Jimmy' follows with very soulful Garcia vocals. The heart of this set comes with the St. Stephen>Other One> Stella Blue combo. Following the excellent St. Stephen, Phil drops into 'The Other One' on a dime. This one contains some great jammin...
Apr 02, 2021•1 hr 26 min
Spring has sprung a bit earlier than usual here in the north, and it's a perfect time to break out the sweet, silky sounds of the Grateful Dead from 1977.. Here's a beauty from March 20, 1977 at the Winterland in San Francisco. As usual its marked by the extremely smooth and intricate ensemble playing that characterize the year. The band is clearly paying attention to and responding to each other. I'd argue that every song in this first set has its moments - there's even a fun little Jerry run i...
Mar 26, 2021•1 hr 11 min
This week's Deadpod features an outstanding second set (only) from March 13, 1982 in Reno Nevada. While I wish there existed a soundboard of the first set to match this exquisite recording I decided there was no reason not to let you enjoy this great set because it didn't exist. This set starts out with a powerful reading of 'Feel Like a Stranger' into 'Franklin's Tower'. Jerry is all over both of these with some really sparkling runs, and Brent has come into his own by this time as a member of ...
Mar 19, 2021•1 hr 30 min
A rare but lovely third set is up on this week's Deadpod.. from Winterland in San Francisco, the first show the band played in 1974 on February 22, 1974. 'Hello baby I'm gone goodbye'... as the band opens this set with a beautiful 'Mississippi Half-Step'... love Garcia's silkly guitar on this one.. Bobby revs it up with a smokin' 'Promised Land', nice work by Keith on the piano here. They switch gears completely with a slow, soulful 'Brokedown Palace', but follow up with a great 'Jack Straw'. Th...
Mar 12, 2021•1 hr 10 min
Here's a fine set of music for your Friday courtesy of the Grateful Dead back on February 22, 1974.We continue from last week with the second of three sets that the band favored us with to begin their quintessential 1974 tour. A fine recording here captures the nuances of Keith on Piano and of course the rest of the band's interplay which is especially notable on the wild 'Truckin' and the jams that follow. 'The Race is On' is a perfect way to bring in Spring, and don't overlook the 'China>Ri...
Mar 05, 2021•57 min
The Dead opened up 1974 with this week's show from Winterland on February 22, 1974. They picked up where they left off in 1973 with a long smoker of a show - we'll hear set 1 this week and set 2 next week. Notable moments include a 22 beat start to 'Beat It On Down The Line', some great Keith throughout, a lovely 'It Must Have Been The Roses', the elusive 'Loose Lucy' and to top everything off, a very long and spacy 'Playin' In the Band' which closes the set and is punctuated with Garcia teasing...
Feb 26, 2021•1 hr 25 min
This week we do a little carryover from Fat Tuesday with this Mardi Gras set from February 7, 1989 at the Kaiser in Oakland California. The set starts with the sounds of the Mardi Gras parade, backed of course by Mickey and Billy on drums. The band starts with a rather unique introduction to Iko, Iko, but its certainly a good choice for the date. The 'Victim' that follows starts as a total train wreck, but does settle down into a trancelike beat. Brent's 'We Can Run' follows, with its warning th...
Feb 19, 2021•1 hr 38 min
Seeing as how Fat Tuesday is coming right up... I decided to feature a Dead show that took place on Fat Tuesday back in 1989.. This one from Oakland on 2/7/1989. This is a fairly newly released UltraMatrix recording, and I think it sounds great. The first set which we present this week, features two very new (at the time) numbers - the first performance of 'Just a Little Light' and the second, of 'Standing on the Moon'. Naturally these sound different than what they would become, but I love hear...
Feb 12, 2021•1 hr 5 min
Hey Now! It was such a cold and snowy day I almost didn't get this one ready but never fear.. we have a great set this week featuring some wonderful Pigpen and early, high-energy Grateful Dead. As promised we have the remainder of the show from January 24, 1971 at the Seattle Center in Seattle Washington. It starts with Bobby saying they were 'running short on time' and then they proceed to play another 35 minutes or so of high voltage jammin' Dead music. Pig is in prime form on Lovelight which ...
Feb 05, 2021•1 hr 3 min
I guess I just can't get enough of that good stuff.. .. :) but at any rate this week I've decided to bring you a rather rare treat. Back in 1971, the band finished a short, 3 show swing in the Northwest with this blistering performance in a small venue in Seattle on a Sunday night. This took place on January 24, 1971. This one is sparkin' from beginning to end, but I've split it up so we will hear part 1 this week and part 2 next week. It starts appropriately, with Truckin', then a wonderful Chi...
Jan 29, 2021•56 min
It's a new year but I've decided to go *way* back for some primal Dead on this week's Deadpod. This comes to us from January 17th, 1968 at the Carousel Ballroom in San Francisco. What a treasure of early/classic tunes we have here! Now I'll admit, the sound is sometimes muddy and the vocals are at times less than clear.. however give the age and provinance of this recording I thought it very worth listening to and hope you enjoy it as well. Some of the highlights of course are Pigpen on the Love...
Jan 22, 2021•1 hr 37 min
This week we wind up our 'holiday' series of Deadpods with the fabulous third set from the band's New Year's Eve performance in Oakland on December 31st, 1982. This third set features guest appearances with Etta James and the Tower of Power horns. The band clearly has a blast here, and despite it being the third set play with a great deal of passion and energy.. Phil opens with that familiar bass line from 'Lovelight' and Bobby leads them into it. After a couple of verses and a quite interesting...
Jan 15, 2021•1 hr 10 min
Hello Friends! Hope this week's Deadpod provides a bit of a respite from the storms swirling around our heads... this week we get to hear the second set from the band's New Year Eve performance on December 31, 1982. NYE is of course the one time of the year when everyone knew what was going to open the second set - and while you'll hear some decidedly 'un-grateful dead' like sound effects at the opening, Sugar Magnolia eventually comes through like ringing a bell, and the band, and Bobby, do an ...
Jan 08, 2021•1 hr 19 min
Happy New Year! From a request from a longtime frirend of the Deadpod - I've decided to celebrate the end of 2020 with this fun and raucous show from NYE 1982. I'll present this one over the next couple weeks and hope can feel and enjoy the fun that the band and everyone in attendance had on this special night 39 years ago. The first set which we'll hear this week is a bit short, but still well played and tight. Garcia's voice is a bit creaky but he makes up for it with some very nice work on th...
Jan 01, 2021•53 min
Merry Christmas! I hope that this edition of the Deadpod finds you safe and warm with those you love. I hope the music brings a smile and a memory of happier times and places.. It is my reward to think that it makes someone a little happier.. this week the second set form the Fabulous Fox in St. Louis Missouri on December 12, 1971. This one starts with a fabulous Pigpen 'Good Lovin', followed by a sweet 'Brokedown Palace'. It includes, just for Christmas, a fun 'Run Rudolph Run', and a beautiful...
Dec 25, 2020•1 hr 53 min
For your Christmas week enjoyment.. a stunner from very late Fall, 1971.. Pig and Keith were both in fine form on this night at the Fabulous Fox.. This first set is a fine, uptempo collection highlighted, I think with the two Pig tunes, 'Mr. Charlie' and 'Next Time You See Me', as well as a great 'Loser' and 'Jack Straw'. Jerry kind of misses some of the lyrics on 'Tennesee Jed' but makes up for that with some great guitar work on that one. I'll present the second set for your enjoyment Christma...
Dec 18, 2020•1 hr 17 min
This week we go back 30 years to the band's second set at McNichols Arena in Denver Colorado on December 13, 1990. I'm always a fan of a Help>Slip>Frank opener and here it heralds a fine show. A latter day 'Saint of Circumstance' is followed by a nice 'Eyes of the World' which opens up nicely towards the end as it goes into Drums and Space. The highlight of the set is the fine 'Other One' that comes post-drums and leads into 'Morning Dew'. Phil steps in after that with a great 'Box of Rain...
Dec 11, 2020•1 hr 29 min
We roll into December with a show from late fall 1990 - this one from McNichols Arena in Denver Colorado on December 13th, 1990. This is a fine, energetic show, and starts off with a very uptempo Jack Straw into Sugaree. 'Wang Dang Doodle' follows to get everyone dancin', then Jer slows it down a touch with 'Friend of the Devil'. Uncle>Big River contain some tasty Garcia tones, and I think the 'Ramble on Rose' that follows is appreciable different without Brent's touch, but still tight. Bobby...
Dec 04, 2020•1 hr 12 min
Happy Thanksgiving! As is our tradition, I present an acoustic Dead show for your pleasure this Thanksgiving morning. While it is becoming difficult to find an acoustic set (in good quality) that I haven't presented before, this is a wonderful recording and while the songs will be familiar to you they are still a joy to listen to, I think. Grateful Dead Warfield Theatre San Francisco, CA 10/13/80 - Monday One On The Road Again [2:52] ; Bird Song [7:21] ; El Paso [3:57] ; To Lay Me Down [7:53] ; ...
Nov 26, 2020•47 min
