The Deadpod

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.

On this sweltering Fourth of July weekend, I've decided to travel back to another sweltering Fourth—July 4, 1990 at Sandstone Amphitheatre in Bonner Springs, Kansas. With temperatures well over 100 at showtime and no roof over the seating area, this was probably the hottest showtime I'd ever experienced. For me, it was a deeply memorable night: not only the last time I'd see Brent before his tragic passing, but also a show with some killer versions of classic songs.
 
The first set, which we'll hear this week, is a bit short—the boys were getting scorched with the sun shining directly on them, Jerry in shorts and all—but there are some great highlights, starting with the ironically appropriate opener, "Cold Rain & Snow." Other standouts include a fine "Half‑Step," a rare "Loose Lucy," and a strong "Loser." And for the setlist nerds among us, it's worth noting that all of Bob's tunes in this first set are covers, from Son House to Dylan to Chuck Berry.
 
Even with the band and crowd baking in that relentless Kansas sun, there's an energy and focus in this first set that still comes through on the tape. You can hear the band leaning into the songs rather than stretching out, but that only seems to sharpen the edges on "Cold Rain & Snow" and "Half‑Step," and give "Loose Lucy" and "Loser" a little extra punch. I hope you enjoy revisiting this hot, short, and very sweet first set with me this week—and that you'll be back next time when we pick things up after dark for the second set, where "Victim," "Foolish Heart," and a big "Scarlet → Fire" really show what Summer '90 could do.
 
Grateful Dead
Sandstone Amphitheatre
Bonner Springs, KS 7/4/1990 - Wednesday 

One
  
Cold Rain & Snow >
Walkin' Blues 
Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodleloo 
Queen Jane Approximately 
Loose Lucy 
It's All Over Now 
Loser 
The Promised Land 
You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 
https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod070326.mp3
I hope you have a safe and happy 4th of July! 
stay hydrated!

This week's Deadpod features the Grateful Dead's second set from June 4, 1978, at Campus Stadium, University of California, Santa Barbara—a show that captures the band in a confident and fluid late-'70s mode.

The set opens with a lively "Samson and Delilah," followed by a nicely rendered "Ship of Fools" that provides an early contrast in mood. The improvisational core begins with "Estimated Prophet," which unfolds patiently before transitioning into a bright and engaging "Eyes of the World." (nevermind Bobby stepping on Jerry's solo).  The Eyes is a bit on the fast side, I wonder if the presence of Ken Kesey and the Thunder machine had something to do with that?

"Drums" and a concise "Space" serve as a bridge into the closing sequence, where a driving "Not Fade Away" builds into "Goin' Down the Road Feeling Bad" and a high-energy "Around and Around." The set is capped by a pair of encores—"U.S. Blues" and "Sugar Magnolia"—that bring the performance to an upbeat conclusion.

Overall, this is a well-paced and cohesive second set, offering both strong song performances and a satisfying improvisational arc. As always, I hope you enjoy the listen.
 
 
Grateful Dead
Campus Stadium - University Of California
Santa Barbara, CA 6/4/1978 - Sunday 

Two     

Samson And Delilah [6:34] 
Ship Of Fools [6:57] 
Estimated Prophet [10:40] >
Eyes Of The World [10:16] >
Drums [10:#16] >
Space (1) [4:21] >
Not Fade Away [8:04] >
Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad [6:29] >
Around And Around [7:27]

Encores     
U.S. Blues [5:09] 
Sugar Magnolia [7:51]  
You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:
https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod062626.mp3 
As always thanks for your kind support of the Deadpod!

This week's Deadpod takes us back to sunny California for a Sunday show at the University of California, Santa Barbara, on June 4, 1978.
This is their first show in about a month following the excellent Spring tour, and the band sounds like they're in great spirits—evidenced both by the between-song banter and the upbeat performances throughout the set. A somewhat unusual pairing opens things up, with "Bertha" flowing into "Good Lovin'"—be sure to listen for Garcia's vocal touches there.
You might also notice Bobby's vocal substitution in "Me and My Uncle," a small but interesting moment. The whole set is strong, but highlights for me include a particularly expressive "Looks Like Rain" and, of course, a very satisfying "Tennessee Jed." Things nearly get out of hand on the closing "Jack Straw," which makes for a fun finish.
Grateful Dead
Campus Stadium - University Of California
Santa Barbara, CA
6/4/1978 - Sunday
One
Bertha [7:01] >
Good Lovin' [6:21]
Dire Wolf [3:21]
Me And My Uncle [3:04] >
Big River [6:03]
Brown Eyed Women [5:02]
Looks Like Rain [7:35]
Tennessee Jed [8:20]
Jack Straw [5:21]
You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:
https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod061926.mp3
We'll play the second set next week. For now, I hope you enjoy this fine show from June of 1978. My thanks, as always, for your kind support.

This week's Deadpod features the second set from June 6th, 1992, a performance that captures the Grateful Dead's late-era mix of looseness, drive, and exploratory spirit. The set opens on a joyful note with "Iko Iko," before shifting into a spacious "Estimated Prophet" that leads into a rare second-set "The Same Thing." From there, the mood turns inward with a heartfelt "He's Gone," setting up the transition into "Drums" and "Space." Out of "Space," the band launches a powerful "The Other One," bringing a darker, more intense energy before easing into "The Wheel." The closing run of "Throwing Stones" and "One More Saturday Night" delivers the expected early-'90s punch. The encore pairing of "Baba O'Riley" and "Tomorrow Never Knows" is a highlight, underscoring the band's willingness in this period to reinterpret classic rock and psychedelic touchstones in their own voice. It's a well-paced, engaging second set that offers a rewarding snapshot of the Dead in 1992. 
Grateful Dead
Rich Stadium
Orchard Park, NY 6/6/1992 - Saturday

Two    

Iko Iko ;
Estimated Prophet >
The Same Thing >
He's Gone >
Drums >
Space >
The Other One >
The Wheel >
Throwing Stones >
One More Saturday Night

Encore    
Baba O'Riley >
Tomorrow Never Knows
You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 
https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod061226.mp3  
As always my sincere thanks for your kind support..