Here's a fun second set from November 1985 for this week's Deadpod. 'Touch of Grey'  into 'Samson' starts things off with some nice Jerry solos in Samson... The 'High Time' that follows makes up for the flubbed ending on Samson with some excellent Jerry vocals. 'Let It Grow' is probably the highlight of the pre-drums segment however, with some excellent improvisational jamming. That spirit is carried through on the Drums and Space. 'Gimme Some Lovin' coming out of space is fun and leads...

This week we have one of the finest shows from the Fall tour of 1985. This comes to us from Rochester New York on November 7, 1985. The opening 'Dancing In the Street' is strong and cohesive - we can tell we are in for a special night. The 'Dire Wolf' presents Jerry in fine voice. While Bobby is a bit cheesy on 'CC Rider' the 'Loser' that follows is excellent. The country 'Mama Tried'>'Mexicalli Blues' is a great lead in to a rockin' 'Cumberland Blues'.  While 'Beat it On Down the Line'...

With the passing of Phil Lesh I decided to bring you a complete Phil & Friends show from the last time I was lucky enough to see him - March 12, 2023 in Chicago. I really enjoyed the show and hope you dig it.  Words can't express what the man meant to the Dead or the scene. We were lucky to have been able to be in his presence from time to time.   I know this makes a longer Deadpod than usual, hope it doesn't mess anything up for you.    Phil Lesh And Friends The Salt Shed ...

This week's Deadpod features the second set from the band's performance at the Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, NC on October 10, 1989. A good example, I think, of why this was a high water mark in the band's performance history, this second set showcases their ability to improvise both in spots intended and unintended.  The latter I think, is shown in the opening 'Blow Away', which despite some forgotten lyrics and miscues turns into a fine opening number. The jamming in the...

Howdy! I figured it was about time to get back in the saddle and get another Deadpod out to my wonderful audience.. First off thanks for your kind get well wishes! They all have meant so much..forgive me for not answering each of them, but I'm having some serious trouble typing with alot of numbness in my right hand since my operation.. This week I thought it appropriate to listen to a fine show from the great state of North Carolina, I could only wish that I could help the folks there who...

This week the Deadpod travels to January of 1980 for an unusual benefit show that the Dead appeared at for Cambodian refugees in Oakland, along with Jefferson Starship, the Beach Boys and Carlos Santana and John Cippolina.  This is a tight and well played set throughout. The opening 'Jack Straw' into 'Franklin's Tower' is crisp and edgy. 'Minglewood' is a standout as well. I really enjoy all of these, but the 'Playin' is probably the highlight, although the Santana solo in 'Not Fade Away' is...

A fine second set awaits you on this week's Deadpod as we explore the second set from the band's performance at the Cumberland Coutny civic Center in Portland Maine on September 17, 1982. This is a matrix recording - but the first two songs are a mix of several audience sources as the soundboard for those doesn't seem to exist.. 'Touch of Grey' and 'Man Smart, Woman Smarter' are played uptempo and crisply..Their followed by a beautiful rendition of 'High Time'; Jerry's emotive vocals just...

Hey Now! This week the Deadpod takes us to Portland Maine, for a show that took place at the Cumberland County Civic Center on September 17, 1982.  This 12 song first set is a concise reading of many of their standards. Brent and Phil are upfront in the mix and overall I find these quite enjoyable. There is a false start in 'Me & My Uncle' which is quite unusual, and we have 'Dupree's' 2 weeks in a row- I'm sure that's a Deadpod record ;)   Grateful Dead Cumberland County Civic...

 Holy Smokes! It's Labor Day weekend!  Hopefully this second set from the second Field Trip at the Oregon Country Fairgrounds can help you get in the mood for some fun and frolic as we celebrate the passing of another summer...  This one starts with the debut of 'Keep Your Day Job' -- and not in the encore slot!  Another debut - 'West LA Fadeaway' is also on the menu here. The pre-drums 'Playin In the Band' lifts things up while the post drums 'Wheel'>'Other One' is probably the...

This week's Deadpod features the second 'Field Trip' at the Oregon Country Fairgrounds in Veneta Oregon on August 28,1982. While not as famous, or as monumental, as the first Field Trip immortalized in the 'Sunshine Daydream' movie, this show has plenty of stellar moments and is certainly worthy of a listen.  While the first set is not as packed with jaw-dropping moments as parts of set 2, there are plenty of interesting moments here. Brent and Jerry are both in fine form throughout. You...

This week's second set from the August 6, 1971 at the Hollywood Paladium is a classic.  It opens with 'St. Stephan' - they'd only play this one five more times before 1976.. a nice 'Truckin' goes into drums, then they roar into 'The Other One' and segue flawlessly into 'Me & My Uncle' - the first time they tried this and it worked perfectly.. they then go back into the 'Other One' but if you listen you can hear a WRS prelude tease before they do... Things mellow a bit with 'Deal' but the...

As we come to the end of the Days Between, and reflect on what Jerry gave us I thought it appropriate to present a classic show from when the band was young and ferocious. This comes to us from August 6, 1971 at the Hollywood Palladium. Long considered a classic, I'm sure you'll agree if you haven't yet been fortunate enough to hear this performance. This first set contains no clunkers.. I think each of these songs is a top-notch rendition, but for sure I have to point out 'Mr. Charlie' and...

This week we conclude the band's performance on July 26, 1972 at the Paramount Theater in Portland, Oregon.  Clearly the 'Dark Star' we open with is the highlight of this set, if not the show. It traverses the heavens for over half and hour and features some excellent improvisational displays (see the Dark Star map below). It leads into a lovely and soulful 'Comes A Time'. 'Sugar Mag' follows to get things rockin' again, and that leads into a 'Brown Eyed Women' which is unfortunately cut on...

This week we continue with a show from 52 years ago today - 7/26/72. We will pick up with the ending of set 1 then work into the second set..  We start with a sweet  'Playin' In the Band' - Donna is introduced before hand and its a fine start to this week's Deadpod. They close set one with ' Casey Jones'. Set 2 begins with a strong 'Promised Land' then goes into 'He's Gone' which had debuted only a few months before. 'Uncle' follows then 'You Win Again' which would only be played 2 more...

This week's Deadpod features a massive show from the summer of 1972. This show is so big that I'm splitting it into three Deadpods - this week we will hear most of set 1..  This features some fine renditions of some of their standards - highlights include a great Sugaree, a mid--set China>Rider and a raucous Tennesee Jed.    This one goes out to Steve - happy Birthday!   Grateful Dead Paramount Theater Portland, OR 7/26/1972 - Wednesday One     Cold Rain And Snow [527] Black...

This week we have the second set from the band's performance at Alpine Valley on July 7, 1984. This is a strong set throughout, with the band really coming together I think to deliver some great versions of these songs.  'Samson and Delilah' opens with the drummers providing the familiar beat.. Jerry follows with 'Cold Rain and Snow' - always appropriate for a July show. They then seg into 'Playin' In the Band', while not overly long, this version does feature some interesting Brent effects...

This week we travel to one of the beloved summer venues - Alpine Valley - for a show that took place back on July 7, 1984, a Saturday night.  The first set starts with 'Hell In A Bucket', then moves into a fine 'Dire Wolf' Jerry really belts it out here, and its fun to listen to. 'New New Minglewood Blues' follows with Bobby telling us its 'T for Alpine Valley' .. 'Dupree's Diamond Blues follows - a bit slower, but still one that brings a smile. 'My Brother Esau' shares Bobby's anti-war...

This week's conclusion of the band's performance down at Eugene on June 24,1990 displays several sides of the band which highlight their agility and craft at putting together a setlist.  From the opening sequence which I'd describe as light and bouncy - 'Foolish Heart' into 'Man Smart, Woman Smarter' they move into 'Standing on the Moon' and 'Box of Rain'. They follow with a typically animated Bob Weir on 'Estimated' into 'He's Gone' - all before Drums and Space. He's Gone doesn't end with...

 It sure feels like summertime here, and one of my favorite summer time tours was back in 1990.. this week we go back to Eugene for a fine show that took place on June 24, 1990 at Autzen Stadium at the University of Oregon.  The first set starts with a fine Help>Slip>Frank - Jerry has some great leads here.. Masterpiece follows and Bob does the vocals just right. Loose Lucy made its reappearance in the Spring of 90, and Jerry breaks it out here for the sixth time since 1974.  Brent...

 Here is the second set from the band's performance at the Boston Music Hall on June 10, 1976. Samson always seemed like a favorite to break out in Boston, and revs things up for a fine 'Help>Slip>Frank' here. Nice harmonies here, and the Slipknot features some upfront work by Keith. Bobby does a fine 'Let It Grow', then we have a mid-set 'Friend of the Devil' - a bit more spacey than usual, but that leads into the highlight of the set, a 'Playin' In The Band' which leads into an...

A fine show from the comeback year of 1976 graces this week's Deadpod. This is from June 10, 1976 at the Boston Music Hall in Boston. The thirteen song first set should provide plenty of chances to reflect on how fortunate we hare to have this music after all these years..  In general this set, as most from this time period, shows the band concentrating on tight arrangements with powerful singing, perhaps at the expense of more free-flowing jamming. Some of the highlights here include a...

This week the Deadpod returns to Milwaukee for the second set of the band's performance from May 30, 1980.  A fine Scarlet>Fire opens this set, including some excellent jamming in the transition (by the way check out this week's Deadcast for an excellent discussion of 'Scarlet Begonias' here: https://www.dead.net/deadcast) A seemingly short 'Playing In the Band' follows, but there is some excellent improvisation going on in the transition to a sweet drum segment that follows.  'Not...

 I think we have a good one to send you off on your Memorial Day weekend - this comes to us from May 30, 1980 at the Milwaukee Auditorium in Milwaukee Wisconsin.  The first set starts with a fine 'Jack Straw' - the first minute forty is supplied by an audience tape but hold on because the rest is a fine soundboard. The transition jams from Jack Straw to Franklin's Tower are off the chart.. Jerry is in fine form here.. as evidenced by the hot Uncle and Big River that follow...  They include...

This week on the Deadpod we continue with the second set from the band's performance at the Greet Theater in Berkeley California on May 21, 1982.  The set kicks off with a tight 'Playing In the Band' highlighted by contributions from Brent that are just exactly perfect. An uptempo 'Uncle John's Band' follows, the jam leading out into drums has a nice interplay between Phil and Jerry that is quite cool. Drums has some intense moments.. they go into a nice ensemble version of 'The Wheel'. A...