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…

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…

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 …

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 a…

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 wit…

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 t…

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 performanc…

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…

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' th…

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 …

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 approp…

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 Al…

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…

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 vocal…

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…

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 concentra…

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…