Dead Show/podcast for 1/4/13

Normally I wouldn't publish two consecutive Jerry shows on the Deadpod.. but this week's show is not a normal tape - this is a top-shelf recording of Jerry and Merle at the top of their game.. this is simply a wonderful recording of a superlative performance. Once I listened to this I knew I should share it as soon as possible - hence it became the choice for this week's Deadpod. 
This show was apparently originally advertised as an Old and In The Way performance - however its clearly Jerry and Merle Saunders. It supposedly was one of the tapes written about in the New Yorker article by  Nick Paumgarten (that you can read here). This was one of the Betty Cantor-Jackson tapes that was discovered in a trunk, but lucky for us was saved and restored by a professional recording engineer.. Not only is this a wonderful performance but a magnificent recording.. while its a bit longer than I would have liked (only when thinking of my hosting quota!) it is certainly well worth it.. 

The music itself defies easy categorization.. classic Jerry and Merle, but there is so much improvisation and creativity that we really can't label parts of this performance.. 

Jerry Garcia and Merl Saunders
Keystone
2119 University Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94704
November 3, 1973 (Saturday)

--Set I (7 tracks, 83:05)--
s1t01. ... After Midnight [7:26] (1) [2:48]
s1t02. Expressway (To Your Heart) [10:59] ->
s1t03. collective improvisation [15:50] ->
s1t04. transition to Merl's Tune [2:13] ->
s1t05. Merl's Tune [7:58] [2:34]
s1t06. Someday Baby [16:19] [1:55]
s1t07. I Second That Emotion [14:50] (2) [0:11] %

--Set II (2 tracks, 39:51, incomplete)--
s2t01. .. Mystery Train [10:01] [0:15]
s2t02. My Funny Valentine [29:05] (3)

! Band: Jerry Garcia and Merl Saunders
! Lineup: Jerry Garcia - el-g, vocals;
! Lineup: Merl Saunders - keyboards;
! Lineup: John Kahn - el-bass;
! Lineup: Bill Vitt - drums;
! Lineup: Martin Fierro - saxophone, flute.

While we don't have the complete tape, I urge you to listen to Garcia in the 'collective improvisation' segment - it will blow you away.. 

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 
http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod010413.mp3


Finally my most sincere thanks to those of you who are able to assist the Deadpod with your financial contributions.. thank you SO much! I certainly couldn't get the Deadpod out each week without your help!