Dead Show/podcast for 7/25/14

Summer keeps rollin' by... and I thought it just wouldn't be right if I didn't find a proper Shakedown Street to mark the season.. I think this one should fit the bill. Here is a high-energy show from 1988, originally a Rex Benefit show, that gives us plenty to like during these long days of Summer. This one comes from the Greek in Berkeley, where the boys always enjoyed playing. After the strong Shakedown opener, they move into a pretty good Walkin' Blues and a decent Friend of the Devil. The Queen Jane that follows however may have you scratching your head at the start - it doesn't sound like that itself at first :) . The Dire Wolf makes an appearance afterwards, a song I always enjoyed and never heard live often enough. Cassidy may provide the strongest jam of the 2nd part of the first set, as the song serves as the spot for some excellent interplay. A rare set-closing Bertha leaves everyone on their feet as the first set closes... We'll listen to set 2 on next week's Deadpod... 

Berkeley Greek Theatre (7/15/88)

Shakedown Street
Walkin' Blues
Friend of the Devil
Queen Jane Approximately
Dire Wolf
Never Trust a Woman
Cassidy
Bertha

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod072514.mp3

I very much welcome your contributions as well as suggestions for the Deadpod - feel free to visit us on Facebook and if you'd consider a donation I would be very grateful. 

Be well my friends and enjoy July while its here! 

Dead Show/podcast for 7/18/14

The second set of the show the Dead performed on July 13th, 1985 from Ventura California. In my opinion this is a fine second set, highlighted by a very nice drums/space into the Wheel, then a rare Cryptical into a very jammy Other One. That is followed by a particularly touching 'Comes A Time', always a favorite. While there may be better versions, I think this set stands up to scrutiny as the boys put out some great energy in this second set. They close with the summertime favorite 'U.S. Blues'.

Ventura County Fairgrounds, Ventura, CA (7/13/85)

Touch of Grey
Man Smart/Woman Smarter
Terrapin Station
drums
The Wheel
Cryptical Envelopment
The Other One
Comes a Time
Around and Around
Sugar Magnolia

U.S. Blues

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod071814.mp3

Thank you for listening, and for your support - I really appreciate it! 

If you could consider helping to support the Deadpod, please click on the 'Donate' button on the right hand side of this page.. thank you! 

Dead Show/podcast for 7/11/14

While we are in high summer my thoughts turned to great summer tours and despite my reservations about some shows from this year, I couldn't help but realize that this year had to be represented - 1985. The band played an amazing summer tour with such a wide variety setlists filled with extraordinary breakouts that the year deserves to be honored despite the well-known problems with Garcia's voice and the all-too-obvious tendency to overindulge in certain stimulants..
This week's show is a great example.. this week we get to hear a stellar first set from July 13th at the Venura County Fairgrounds in Ventura CA. The show opens with a very unusual One More Saturday Night, which rolls into an exceptionally well-played 'Fire on the Mountain' .. as I've heard it told, there actually were fires on the hills behind the stage as controlled burns were being done during the show.. One of the best 'Walkin' Blues' follows, the the fun Dupree's, I imagine the Mama Tried->Big River got everyone dancin', but the Bird Song that follows is dope for sure. Love to hear the Music Never Stopped that follows, a great great Summertime tune!

Ventura County Fairgrounds, Ventura, CA (7/13/85)

One More Saturday Night
Fire on the Mountain
Walkin' Blues
Dupree's Diamond Blues
Mama Tried
Big River
Bird Song
Music Never Stopped

You can listen to the Deadpod here:

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod071114.mp3

The Deadpod can always use your support. Please consider a donation by clicking on the 'Donate' button or dropping me a note for an address to send a check. If you have a business and are interested in doing some underwriting on the Deadpod, please let me know. Thanks!! 

Dead Show/podcast for 7/4/14

Happy 4th of July!

With the 4th falling on a Friday it just seems to be fitting that I play one of the seven shows that the boys played on this date. Since I've already played the 7/4/90 show on the Deadpod, I decided to bring back this beauty from the Summer of 1984.. I happen to think the boys were on a peak during this time (the night before when they played Kansas City is a great show too!), and I decided it would be best to bring you this nice long second set for this holiday Deadpod.

Any set that opens with a Help->Slip->Franklin's is off on the right foot, and then Brent delivers a pretty fair 'Far From Me'.. Estimated into He's Gone always opens up new spaces.. I love the Truckin' out of space into a wonderful Wharf Rat, which for me is the highlight of the set..

Of course its nice to have a US Blues encore to celebrate the 4th!!

Five Seasons Center, Cedar Rapids, IA (7/4/84)

set 2

Help on the Way
Slipknot!
Franklin's Tower
Far From Me
Estimated Prophet
He's Gone
drums
Truckin'
Wharf Rat
Around and Around
Good Lovin'

U.S. Blues

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod070414.mp3

THANK YOU for your support of the Deadpod! 

have a safe and HAPPY 4th!