Dead Show/podcast for 7/31/15

On this Blue Moon Friday, we present the 2nd installment of the Grateful Dead's performance at Watkins Glen Speedway on July 28th, 1973. We start with the last song of the 1st set, but arguably the highlight of the show, a classic 'Playin' In the Band'. This one is in my opinion, on a par with the famous soundcheck of the previous day. It doesn't take them long to jump off on a psychedelic musical exploration here. Garcia's leads us on a fantastic voyage here, with a sound that at times I've heard described as a 'swarm of hornets', he leads us way out there. While this jam perhaps doesn't last as long as the day before, I would argue its clearly top shelf jazz improvisation. The second set starts with an 'Around and Around' patched from an audience copy, but we're back to the soundboard for a unique, funky, Loose Lucy. He's Gone develops nicely but transitions rather abruptly into Truckin'. This one suffers some audio problems but nothing to detract from the nice jam that follows the chorus.. where Jerry winds into a "Nobody's Fault' line .. the last minute or so they get a bit lost before going into .... 'El Paso'! .. like coming out of a dark room into the sunshine.. :) Our trip back to the summer of '73 closes this week with a China->Rider.. ahhh that sweet waterfall coming from Jerry's Guitar.. then that engine rolling down the track :) . see you in August!

Grateful Dead

Grand Prix Racecourse, Watkins Glen, NY (7/28/73)

end of set 1:

Playing in the Band
set 2: (partial)

Around and Around
Loose Lucy
Big River
He's Gone
Truckin'
Nobody's Jam
El Paso
China Cat Sunflower
I Know You Rider

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod073115.mp3

I really appreciate the support of those friends who can contribute to keep the Deadpod on the air.. thank YOU! 

Hope you're 'dancin' in the moonlight' tonight! 

Dead Show/podcast for 7/24/15

This week I'm going to start to present the Grateful Dead's performance at the famous Watkins Glen racecourse from July 28th, 1973. Not only was this the largest rock concert attendance wise ever up to this point, it of course is most famous perhaps for the soundcheck the band did the day before the actual performance which I'm going to showcase these next 3 weeks. I think that is somewhat unfair, as this is a great show, as most are from 1973, and I think it is a fine show to use to celebrate Jerry's Birthday coming up as it does on August 1st.
This first part which I'm bringing you this week starts out with\ a hard charging 'Bertha' - Phil is leading the pack here, followed by a great 'Beat It On Down The Line', with some very nice keyboard work by Keith. Brown-Eyed Women follows, then a very fast tempo'd Mexicali Blues. Box Of Rain is very nicely done, and "Here Comes Sunshine' showcases Jerry doing some very nice explorations. Row Jimmy and Jack Straw follow, and then an explosive Deal is where we will leave off this week's Deadpod, with more to follow in the next two weeks.

Grateful Dead

Grand Prix Racecourse, Watkins Glen, NY (7/28/73)

set 1 - partial

Bertha
Beat it on Down the Line
Brown Eyed Women
Mexicali Blues
Box of Rain
Here Comes Sunshine
Looks Like Rain
Row Jimmy
Jack Straw
Deal

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod072415.mp3

Thank you to those of you whose kind support makes the Deadpod possible!!

Good wishes to everyone! 

Dead Show/podcast for 7/17/15

On this week's Deadpod the band shows plenty of excitement and enthusiasm throughout a pretty great second set during their first visit to Red Rocks back in 1978. I've always been a fan of Cold Rain and Snow, and this is a great way to open the set. Garcia starts several of these songs rather slowly but they tend to  build up to a great climax, and I think that is apparent especially on the Scarlet->Fire. The Dancin' in the Streets is one of the best versions ever, you'll want to move when you hear it! Not Fade Away is quite unique as well, as Jerry goes into a tease of Nobody's Fault but Mine before returning to the Not Fade Away lines.. The double encore of US Blues and Johnny B Goode is a sure sign they had a great night out in the Rockies this day! 

Grateful Dead

Red Rocks Ampitheater, Morrison CO

7/7/78 - Friday 

set 2

Cold Rain and Snow
Beat it on Down the Line
Scarlet Begonias
Fire on the Mountain
Dancin' in the Streets
drums
Not Fade Away
Nobody's Jam
Not Fade Away
Black Peter
Around and Around

U.S. Blues
Johnny B. Goode

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod071715.mp3

THANK You! to everyone whose contributions keep the Deadpod afloat! 

Have a great week........... enjoy the summer.. 

Dead Show/podcast for 7/10/15

As I pondered what show to bring you this week, in the shadow of the emotion and excitement of last weekend's Fare Thee Well shows, I settled upon this show which marked the band's first visit to one of their very favorite venues, Red Rocks. This took place back on July 7th, 1978, and while I've previously played the next night's show, which is perhaps a bit more famous and of which probably better tapes circulate, I think you'll be entertained by this effort as well, which certainly displayed all of the excitement and energy present on both nights. This first set is exceptionally well played, starting out with a rousing 'Jack Straw' and containing a number of well-played favorites, including 'Candyman', ' Friend of the Devil' and 'Tennessee Jed'. The set closing 'Music Never Stopped' is of particular interest, as it has a wonderful bit of Garcia jamming both at the beginning and the end.. really superb.

The source for this show is a audience/soundboard matrix, as the only circulating soundboard tape is a split mono source with some annoying omissions. I hope you enjoy it.

Red Rocks Amphitheater, Morrison, CO (7/7/78)

Jack Straw
Candyman
Me and My Uncle
Big River
Friend of the Devil
Cassidy
Tennessee Jed
Passenger
Peggy-O
Music Never Stopped

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod071015.mp3

The Deadpod only exists due to the kind generosity of my listeners. If you would like to contribute to keep the Deadpod rolling, just click on the 'contribute' button on the left, or drop me a line to get my mailing address.. 

Have a great week everyone! Be Kind! 

Dead Show/podcast for 7/3/15

Happy 4th ! and of course Happy Fare Thee Well Weekend! 

This week i thought it appropriate to feature a set from Chicago so we will finish up with set 2 from the Auditorium Theater in Chicago Il that was played back on June 29th, 1976. Not only is this a very fine sounding recording but I am willing to bet you'll enjoy how the band sounds .. there is quite a bit of very fine jamming going on here. Jerry sounds great on the Candyman, and the Playin' in the Band has some very interesting music in it to say the least! Of course, it is a treat to hear a 'later' St. Stephen and this one is very interesting going into Not Fade Away then back to Stephen. 

The US Blues is rough, but hey its the 4th! :) 

Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, Ill (6/29/76)

set 2

Samson and Delilah
Candyman
Playin' in the Band
drums
The Wheel
Playin' in the Band
St. Stephen
Not Fade Away
St. Stephen
One More Saturday Night

U.S. Blues

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod070315.mp3

have a SAFE and JOYFUL weekend, where ever you are! 

If you are in Chicago, take care of each other - I wish I could be there with you. 

Thanks for your support of the Deadpod, I couldn't publish these weekly without it!