The Deadpod

RIP Bob Weir
1947-2026
The passing of Bob Weir this last week brought us all shock and sadness. Speaking for myself I wasn't ready for Ace to be gone, and I know it will hurt for a long time. Since there there have appeared countless tributes and appreciations for his talent, character and life. I won't try to add another one here. What I've decided on is to present to you this week a show that meant alot to me, that took place back when I was doing a Grateful Dead show on KOPN radio in Columbia Missouri. This show took place in an intimate venue called the Blue Note in Columbia Missouri back on November 2nd, 2000. We were thrilled to have Ratdog come to our town, and to be playing across the street from our station. I think they put on a great show and I decided to play that here on the Deadpod in its entirety this week and next as my remembrance of Bob. I hope you enjoy it. 
Bob Weir and Ratdog
The Blue Note, Columbia Missouri 11/2/2000 - Thursday
Set 1:  
Blackbird
The Winners
When I Paint My Masterpiece
Playin' In the Band
I Need A Miracle *
Little Red Rooster *
All Over Now *
Odessa

*w/Johnnie Johnson-without Jeff Chimenti  
You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:
http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod011626.mp3  
Here's a picture of  Bob and myself after that show:

This week we have some 'Good Ol'Grateful Dead' for your listening pleasure.. This comes to us from Springer's Inn in Portland Oregon on January 16, 1970. 
The opening 'Casey Jones' has a number of sound problems, but bear with it the rest of the set is quite good - especially when you consider it is 55 years old.. There are a number of highlights here - the 'Black Peter' is exceptionally soulful,  and Pig gives a great rap and jam in 'Hard To Handle'. I love the 'China Cat' as well - listen for Garcia before his second solo.. 'Good Lovin' and 'Dancin' are each awesome as well. Nothing needs be said for a 'Death Don't Have No Mercy' set closer... if indeed this was the end of set 1 - we don't know for sure it could have been one long set.. 
Grateful Dead
Springer's Inn
Portland, OR 1/16/1970 - Friday

--Set 1--

Stage Announcements
Casey Jones*
Mama Tried
Black Peter
Hard to Handle
China Cat Sunflower ->**
I Know You Rider
High Time
// Good Lovin'***
Stage Announcements
Dancin' in the Streets
Alligator ->****
Drums ->
The Eleven Jam ->
Death Don't Have No Mercy
You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 
http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod010926.mp3  
thank you for your kind support. 
peace.

As we turn the calendar to 2026, we present the second set from the band's performance at the Boston Music Hall on December 1, 1973. 
This is a very interesting second set, with songs that you don't always associate with that second set making an appearance.  They open with what is often a set closer - 'Around and Around' Then ease into some more traditional fare, with 'They Love Each Other' and 'Me & My Uncle' Things get interesting for me with 'Me and Bobby McGee' a favorite from the period, then 'Mississippi Half-Step' before we get to the real meat of set 2 with a 'Playin' In The Band> Uncle John's Band'>Playin' sandwich. a nice 'Row Jimmy folows then a rocking 'Greatest Story' and a fine 'Not Fade Away'>Goin Down the Road Feelin' Bad'.  
Grateful Dead
Boston Music Hall
Boston, MA 12/1/1973 - Saturday

Two     

Around And Around 
They Love Each Other 
Me And My Uncle 
Don't Ease Me In 
Me And Bobby McGee 
Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo [7:35] 
Playing In The Band [13:42] >
Uncle John's Band [9:16] >
Playing In The Band [6:44] 
Row Jimmy 
Greatest Story Ever Told 
Not Fade Away [10:24] >
Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad [8:23] >
One More Saturday Night [5:05]  
You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 
http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod010226.mp3  
My most sincere thanks to those of you who kindly supported the Deadpod this past year - and to everyone who enjoys the show and makes producing this podcast a pleasure. thank you.

Merry Day-After-Christmas!!
For your boxing and unboxing pleasure I thought this show, from the legendary year of 1973 might be just exactly perfect.. this comes to us from the Boston Music Hall from December 1, 1973. This show took place in the middle of a three show run at this famous venue, both of which have been previously commercially released.  This is a nice long, first set, as was customary at the time, and includes some standout renditions. These include a nice first set 'China>Rider', a sweet 'Brokedown Palace' and a long and very nicely done 'Weather Report Suite'. 
Hopefully you'll agree that this is a worthy show to close out the Deadpod in 2025.. 
see you next year!  
 
Grateful Dead
Boston Music Hall
Boston, MA 12/1/1973 - Saturday

Set 1:

Tuning
The Promised Land
Sugaree
Mexicali Blues
Tennessee Jed
Looks Like Rain
China Cat Sunflower >
I Know You Rider
Big River
Brokedown Palace
Weather Report Suite
Casey Jones
 
You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 
http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod122625.mp3 
 
Happy New Year! 
.. and thanks for your generous and kind support....

This week's Deadpod brings us the second set from the band's performance in Long Beach California on December 14, 1980. 
This is a fine high-energy set, punctuated by guest appearances by Fora Purim, Airto and Matthew Kelly but full of outstanding renditions of some classic numbers. 
I am always pleasantly surprised when I get a 'Must Have Been the Roses' and really enjoy this one. This is followed by a screaming 'Estimated Prophet'. This leads into the heart of the set, a great 'Wheel' going into an amazing Drums/Space then flowing into a otherwordly 'Other One'. This combination is really special. This leads into an emotional 'Stella Blue' then the boys ramp it up again with the rocking set closing 'Around and Around' into 'Good Lovin' .. a 'Brokedown Palace' is a perfect encore after this musical performance.. 
Grateful Dead
Long Beach Arena
Long Beach, CA 12/14/1980 - Sunday

Two     

Cold Rain And Snow [6:31] >
Samson And Delilah [6:38] ;
It Must Have Been The Roses ;
Estimated Prophet [10:44] >
The Wheel [8:24] >
Drums (2) >
The Other One [11:51] >
Stella Blue >
Around And Around (1) >
Good Lovin'

Encore     
Brokedown Palace 
(1) with Matthew Kelly (2) with Flora Purim and Airto 
You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 
http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod121925.mp3  
As we travel through this holiday season I hope this finds you and yours healthy, happy and at peace. 
my thanks