The Deadpod

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 the Deadpod we head back to the Family Dog at the Great Highway in San Francisco for a superb show from August 3, 1969. This is the kind of set that reminds us just how quickly the Grateful Dead were evolving in that remarkable year, moving from the raw energy of their early material into the open-ended exploration that would define so much of what followed.

The set opens with a fine run of songs including "Hard To Handle," "Beat It On Down The Line," "Hi-Heel Sneakers," "High Time," and "Mama Tried." From there the show opens up beautifully with a long and searching "Dark Star," followed by the powerful sequence of "Alligator," "Drums," "The Other One," and "Caution (Do Not Stop On Tracks)," before closing with "And We Bid You Goodnight."

There are two guest artists - an unknown sax player and David LaFlame from 'It's A Beautiful Day', and they add a rich extra dimension to the sound that I really dig. 

There's a lot to enjoy here: the contrast between the concise song-based first half and the expanded improvisational stretch that follows, the relaxed confidence of the band, and the sense that they are really finding their collective voice in real time. It's a strong late-summer 1969 performance and a great listen for anyone who loves this transitional era of the Dead.
Grateful Dead
Family Dog at the Great Highway
San Francisco, CA
8/3/1969 - Sunday    

Hard To Handle  
Beat It On Down The Line  
Hi-Heel Sneakers  
High Time  
Mama Tried  
Dark Star  
Alligator > 
Drums > 
The Other One > 
Caution (Do Not Stop On Tracks) > 
And We Bid You Goodnight


You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 
https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod073126.mp3 
Enjoy!

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 takes us to Summer tour 1976 - to the first night of a six night run on the home turf of San Francisco California for a delightful show at the intimate Orpheum Theater on July 12, 1976. 
'The Music Never Stopped' provides a fine and fitting opener as the boys return to the stage on the West Coast following their hiatus from touring and the completion of 'Blues for Allah' and an East Coast swing. 
This first set is filled with old favorites colored with new tempos and some very sweet jams. Some of my favorites include 'Tennesse Jed' (here included from an audience recording), 'Row Jimmy', 'Lazy Lighting into Supplication' and a short but sweet 'Deal'.
We'll listen to set 2 next week with more 'new' material included.... 
 
Grateful Dead Orpheum Theatre San Francisco, CA 7/12/1976 - Monday One The Music Never Stopped [5:23] Brown Eyed Women [4:25] Cassidy [4:05] Tennessee Jed [8:27] New Minglewood Blues [4:22] Candyman [7:04] Looks Like Rain [6:26] Row Jimmy [9:33] Lazy Lightnin' [2:55] Supplication [4:46] Deal [4:37] The Promised Land [4:08] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:  
https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod071726.mp3  
My thanks for your kind support my friends

We return this week to the plains of Kansas for the second set of the band's July 4, 1990 performance at Sandstone Amphitheater. The band comes back as the sun dips down and treats us to a couple of their newer songs, starting with 'Victim or the Crime'. They lighten the mood with a fine 'Foolish Heart', which flows into one of my favorite Brent tunes, 'Just a Little Light'. Knowing this was one of the last shows Brent ever played, I'm especially grateful to have seen him that final time. A wonderful 'Scarlet > Fire' follows—perfect for this sizzling day—and Jerry is absolutely sizzling on it. 'Drums' and 'Space' come next and lead nicely into a heartfelt 'Wheel'. Things ramp up with 'Gimme Some Lovin', again punctuated by great contributions from Brent. A soulful 'Stella Blue' follows, and the crowd falls completely silent, hanging on every verse. The band closes with 'Sugar Mag', then, appropriately, returns with a raucous 'U.S. Blues' encore.
Grateful Dead Sandstone Amphitheatre Bonner Springs, KS 7/4/1990 - Wednesday Two Victim Or The Crime > Foolish Heart > Just A Little Light > Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain > Drums > Space > The Wheel > Gimme Some Lovin' > Stella Blue > Sugar Magnolia Encore U.S. Blues You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 
https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod071026.mp3  
Stay strong my friends and thank you for your kind support.  We return this week to the plains of Kansas for the second set of the band's July 4, 1990 performance at Sandstone Amphitheater. The band comes back as the sun dips down and treats us to a couple of their newer songs, starting with 'Victim or the Crime'. They lighten the mood with a fine 'Foolish Heart', which flows into one of my favorite Brent tunes, 'Just a Little Light'. Knowing this was one of the last shows Brent ever played, I'm especially grateful to have seen him that final time. A wonderful 'Scarlet > Fire' follows—perfect for this sizzling day—and Jerry is absolutely sizzling on it. 'Drums' and 'Space' come next and lead nicely into a heartfelt 'Wheel'. Things ramp up with 'Gimme Some Lovin', again punctuated by great contributions from Brent. A soulful 'Stella Blue' follows, and the crowd falls completely silent, hanging on every verse. The band closes with 'Sugar Mag', then, appropriately, returns with a raucous 'U.S. Blues' encore.
Grateful Dead Sandstone Amphitheatre Bonner Springs, KS 7/4/1990 - Wednesday Two Victim Or The Crime > Foolish Heart > Just A Little Light > Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain > Drums > Space > The Wheel > Gimme Some Lovin' > Stella Blue > Sugar Magnolia Encore U.S. Blues You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 
https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod071026.mp3  
Stay strong my friends and thank you for your kind support.