The Deadpod

This week we travel back to the fall of 1989 for the first set of the Grateful Dead's October 20 show at the Spectrum in Philadelphia—a performance that's been called their longest of the year. This was one of the band's high-water periods, in my opinion, and you can hear the energy and enthusiasm from the first notes of "Touch of Grey." Brent's contributions are a big part of what makes this show so enjoyable, not only on his own "Just a Little Light," but on "Tennessee Jed" as well. Played just three days after the Loma Prieta earthquake, the show also featured the Dead's first performance of Rodney Crowell's "California Earthquake," which closes the first set. Grateful Dead The Spectrum Philadelphia, PA 10/20/1989 - Friday Set One Touch Of Grey [6:19] Greatest Story Ever Told [4:10] Candyman [6:44] Picasso Moon [7:26] Just A Little Light [4:44] Tennessee Jed [8:39] Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again [8:56] Stagger Lee [5:39] The Promised Land [4:27] California Earthquake (Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On) [5:50] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod101626.mp3

This week on the Deadpod we go back to the fall of 1972 for a show at Winterland that was billed as a benefit for the band's road crew. The night is remembered for two things: a brief, unplanned cameo by Grace Slick at the start of the second set, and the first electric performance of the much-loved "Box of Rain," which the band hadn't played since its acoustic debut in September 1970. This episode covers the first set, which is where "Box of Rain" turns up. The fall of '72 was a very busy touring stretch for the band, and one of the high points of a great year. This show features some excellent vocals from Jerry and Bob. Phil, I guess, was warming up for "Box" when he tried to add his own contribution to "Tennessee Jed." I'm glad it didn't scare him off from bringing out "Box of Rain" later in the set. One of several highlights here is the set-closing "Playing In The Band," which, despite being cut at the end, has some wonderful exploration. Grateful Dead Winterland Arena San Francisco, CA 10/9/1972 - Monday One The Promised Land[3:19] Deal [4:34] Me And My Uncle [3:06] Tennessee Jed [7:30] Black Throated Wind [6:48] Friend Of The Devil [3:24] Beat It On Down The Line [3:14] Loser [6:23] El Paso [2:08#] Box Of Rain [#6:24] China Cat Sunflower [7:09] > I Know You Rider [5:13] Sugaree [7:02#] Playing In The Band [20:36#] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod100226.mp3 My thanks for your continuing support of the Deadpod!

This week on the Deadpod, I'm heading back to one of my favorite September stops: Madison Square Garden in New York City, for the opening night of the band's nine-show run in September 1991. By this point, the post-Brent lineup has had time to settle in, and Bruce Hornsby adds plenty of color to the proceedings. Phil makes his presence felt right from the opening "Touch of Grey," providing a strong melodic foundation throughout the set. While Garcia's vocals sound a little rough at times, his playing is right on the money. Give "Loser" a listen for a good example of both. I really dig the "Big River" > "Maggie's Farm" pairing, too. It's always a treat to hear them trade verses on that Dylan number. "Row Jimmy" and "Let It Grow" round out this week's selection. I hope you enjoy this opening visit to the Garden. Grateful Dead Madison Square Garden New York, NY September 8, 1991 (Sunday) Set One Touch of Grey > Greatest Story Ever Told Loser New Minglewood Blues Candyman Big River > Maggie's Farm Row Jimmy Let It Grow You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod091826.mp3 My thanks for your kind support of the Deadpod

Labor Day is here! I've found what I think is a rather overlooked show to celebrate the holiday this week with this gem from September 2, 1983 in Boise Idaho. This was the only show the band ever played in Idaho, and I have to believe that the unique location gave them some extra energy that shows through as we listen to this show. After a unique introduction by Phil, the band powers into a funky 'Wang Dang Doodle' which then goes right into a sweet 'Jack Straw'. The energy comes through in numbers like 'Big River' and 'Big Railroad Blues'. I find the set tight and well-played and hope that it makes you smile as well.. Grateful Dead Boise Pavilion - Boise State University Boise, ID 9/2/1983 - Friday One Wang Dang Doodle [6:20] > Jack Straw [5:23] ; They Love Each Other [7:38] ; Mama Tried [2:43] > Big River [6:00] ; Brown Eyed Women [5:28] ; New Minglewood Blues [7:39] ; Big Railroad Blues [7:12] ; Looks Like Rain [10:26] > Deal [9:27] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod090426.mp3 Have a safe and happy Labor Day!

This week on the Deadpod we have one of the fine shows the band played in late August 1972 at the Berkeley Community Theater in Berkeley, CA. In this small, hometown venue, the band plays together and listens to each other at a high level — something that would bloom beautifully a few days later at the Old Renaissance Fairgrounds in Veneta, Oregon. They're relaxed and loose here. In this first set especially, they take their time between numbers, and I've taken the liberty of editing some of that dead air out of this presentation. I hope it makes for a more enjoyable listen. There are a couple of small cuts, but I don't think they'll affect your enjoyment. There are some notable excursions here — a first-set "Playin' in the Band" and "He's Gone," as well as a beautiful "Bird Song." I trust you'll find the entire set worth your time. Grateful Dead Berkeley Community Theatre Berkeley, CA 8/22/1972 - Tuesday One Bertha [#5:11] Greatest Story Ever Told [4:51] Loser [6:40] Black Throated Wind [%6:27] Bird Song [9:57] Beat It On Down The Line [3:03] Tennessee Jed [06:37] Me And My Uncle [3:13] Friend Of The Devil [3:35] Playin' In The Band [15:%41] He's Gone [8:30] Promised Land [2:47] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod082126.mp3 Enjoy these 'dog days' of August, soon enough we'll have 'snow and rain'....

This week, as we approach the end of the "Days Between," I thought this recording—emblematic of what I think of as the Dead's 'third' period—would be a fitting choice as we remember Jerry. This one comes to us from St. Paul, MN, on August 6, 1982. It's an energetic show with a tight ensemble throughout. Jerry is playing at a high level, and Brent, along with the rest of the band, is right there with him. There's a lot to like here, but one of the highlights for me is the 10+ minute "Bird Song," which flows nicely into "El Paso." I'm also partial to the "Lazy Lightnin' > Supplication," where Garcia adds some particularly nice color in his solos. It's a solid first set, and I think you'll enjoy it. There are a few audience patches, but they don't detract much from the overall experience. Grateful Dead St. Paul Civic Center Arena St. Paul, MN 8/6/1982 - Friday One Bertha > New Minglewood Blues ; Candyman > Little Red Rooster ; Bird Song > El Paso ; Tennessee Jed ; It's All Over Now ; Lazy Lightnin' > Supplication ; Might As Well You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod080726.mp3 "Tell me all that you know, I'll show you... snow and rain"

This week on Deadpod we're back at the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco for the second set from 7/12/76, a show that has that special midsummer 1976 feel I've always loved: relaxed, open, and full of musical space, but with plenty of spark still in the band's step. The set gets underway with a very nice "Sugaree," followed by a spirited "Samson And Delilah," and then we move into one of the great touchstones of the era — "Help On The Way" > "Slipknot!" > "Franklin's Tower," played here with real assurance and flow. From there the band keeps the momentum going with a lively "Dancing In The Street," and then settles into the deep emotional current of "Wharf Rat." After that comes "Drums," and then a wonderfully expansive "The Wheel" that helps push the set into its final stretch. "Around And Around" closes things out with some good old-fashioned punch, and "U.S. Blues" brings us home in the encore with just the right amount of swagger. It's a set that really shows what was happening with the Dead in 1976: the band had found a new balance, and they were making music with patience, depth, and a real sense of possibility. I hope you enjoy it. Grateful Dead Orpheum Theatre San Francisco, CA 7/12/1976 - Monday Two Sugaree [10:53] % Samson And Delilah [6:46] % Help On The Way [4:32] > Slipknot! [7:44] > Franklin's Tower [14:11] Dancing In The Street [11:26] Wharf Rat [12:24] > Drums [4:41] > The Wheel [4:47] > Around And Around [7:07] Encore U.S. Blues [7:20] Grateful Dead Orpheum Theatre San Francisco, CA 7/12/1976 - Monday Two Sugaree [10:53] % Samson And Delilah [6:46] % Help On The Way [4:32] > Slipknot! [7:44] > Franklin's Tower [14:11] Dancing In The Street [11:26] Wharf Rat [12:24] > Drums [4:41] > The Wheel [4:47] > Around And Around [7:07] Encore U.S. Blues [7:20] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod072426.mp3 "summertime done, come and gone my oh my"

This week's Deadpod takes us back to Pasadena, California, and the Rose Palace on May 10, 1969. This is a fierce, high-energy slice of early Dead, complete with a few rough edges from the road. "Hard To Handle" and "Morning Dew" both run into technical trouble, with the band's frustration coming through loud and clear, but the real centerpiece here is the long psychedelic run from "Dark Star" into "Saint Stephen," "The Eleven," and a nearly half-hour "Turn On Your Love Light." It's primal Dead, unpredictable and powerful, with all the danger and electricity of 1969 still crackling through the tape. Grateful Dead Rose Palace Pasadena, CA 5/10/1969 - Saturday One Hard To Handle [5:33];[1:05] Me And My Uncle [3:31];[0:57] Morning Dew [8:06] Yellow Dog Story [1:51];[0:23] Doin' That Rag [6:32];[0:31] Dark Star [20:59] > Saint Stephen [6:08] > The Eleven [15:56] > Turn On Your Love Light [29:31] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod050126.mp3 This was originally recorded by Bear on an Ampex C90 cassette on a Concord F-400 Cassette Deck