Dead Show/podcast for 9/30/16

This week  the Deadpod presents the second set from the band's performance on September 22nd, 1993 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY.
The set features jazz saxophonist David Murray throughout, and with blues harmonica player James Cotton sitting in on the last two numbers of the set (although he is sadly not up very well in the mix). As you might expect this is jazzy throughout, so if you don't enjoy a bit of jazz mixed with your GD this might not be your cup of tea. This is a fine recording however, and the band is clearly energetic and enthused this evening. They start out with Weir's 'Easy Answers', not the most profound song in the catalog, yet played smartly here. Garcia follows with a beautiful 'Lazy River Road', one of his better later ballads. I really enjoy the 'Estimated Prophet' that follows, it goes to some sweet unfamiliar places. 'Dark Star' follows, although it is short, as was the practice during this period (1st verse only) it is still a pleasure to traverse.  An extra long Drums and Space follows.. 'Wharf Rat' follows, and here Garcia's' voice, a bit frail throughout, works to add to the pathos of the story. Murray's sax adds an unusual element at the conclusion, in particular. They follow with a well executed 'Throwing Stones'  (as relevant as ever) and 'Lovelight'. What was the least-liked encore of the 90s, 'I Fought The Law', closes out what was a special night for the band.

Grateful Dead
Madison Square Garden New York , NY
9/22/93 - Wednesday

Two
Easy Answers (1) ;
Lazy River Road (1) ;
Estimated Prophet (1) >
Dark Star (1) >
Drums (1) >
Space (1) >
Wharf Rat (1) >
Throwing Stones (2) >
Turn On Your Love Light (2)
Encore
I Fought The Law
Comments
(1) with David Murray. (2) with David Murray and James Cotton.

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:
http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod093016.mp3


I hope you enjoy this week's Deadpod, and my sincere thanks for the financial support that makes the Deadpod possible.

'We are on our own'........

Dead Show/podcast for 9/23/16

We bid adieu to Summer this week with perhaps the best GD show of 1993.. this one is from Madison Square Garden, and took place 23 years ago on September 22nd, 1993. The show marked the first of two appearances of jazz saxophonist David Murray with the boys - he sits in during the first set on a wonderful 'Bird song' and throughout the 2nd set. One of my listeners recently informed me that I had never featured a show from this year on the Deadpod and asked that I do so. I can't think of a better show or time to do so than this one. I think the first set in general is quite well-played, and snappy, especially for this era. The Help-Slip-Frank is uptempo and alot of fun to listen to. Garcia is on point in the Minglewood that follows, and really energizes the song. Ramble On Rose follows, then a particularly good Masterpiece. The highlight of the first set is clearly the aforementioned 'Bird Song' with Mr. Murray. The band allows him to create an unusual solo yet weaves it into the tempo of the song allowing them to show that even at this late date, and with Vince and not Hornsby, they are capable of some great jamming.

Madison Square Garden, New York, NY (Wednesday, 9/22/93)

Help on the Way ->
Slipknot ->
Franklin's Tower
Minglewood Blues
Ramble on Rose
Masterpiece
Birdsong

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod092316.mp3

I hope you'll consider supporting the Deadpod, as it is through the kind donations of my listeners that I am able to publish it each week. 

Happy Autumn! 

Dead Show/podcast for 9/16/16

This week's Deadpod features set 2 from the Dead's performance at the Easttown Theater in Detroit Michgan back on October 24th, 1971. A fine recording, this set starts with a nice Truckin', especially enjoyable is the jam just before the last verse. What sounds odd here is that the song simply stops... They take up 'Ramble On Rose'. It being  only the 5th time they had played the song, the phrasing and even some of the lyrics are still being developed.. It is quite interesting to hear. Mexicali Blues follows (following an unusually loquacious introduction), this is a pleasure for me to hear. The Dark Star follows, and what is interesting to me, aside from the inherent originality of the jamming, is how the piece shows its development here from its earlier, more primal performances, towards where it will develop during the European tour to follow next year. As was their wont during this time, 'Me & Bobby McGee' follows, perhaps not the smoothest version ever, but still enjoyable. The old 'yellow dog' story gets pulled out afterwards..before we're treated to a 'Cumberland Blues' and one of the final 'St. Stephen's played until the band brought it back in 1976. Johnny B. Goode once again ends a fine performance..

Grateful Dead
Easttown Theatre Detroit, MI
10/24/71 - Sunday

Two

Truckin' [8:24] ;
Ramble On Rose [6:10] ;
Mexicali Blues [3:26] ;
Dark Star [20:47] >
Me And Bobby McGee [5:29] ;
Cumberland Blues [4:58] ;
Saint Stephen [5:37] >
Johnny B. Goode [3:46]

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:
http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod091616.mp3

the Deadpod is made possible through the support of my kind listeners.
thank you..

Dead Show/podcast for 9/9/16

I struggled a bit deciding what to play this week - I was pulled this way and that but finally settled on an overlooked gem of a show from the Fall tour of 1971. This was Keith Godchaux's first tour with the band, and Pigpen is not with them on this night due to his declining health. This show was the second of two (and the fourth show in four nights) which took place in Detroit Michigan on October 24th, 1971 at the Easttown Theater. I think you'll find every one of these numbers to be a real treat. Highlights for me include a great China>Rider (listen for Phil on this one!), and a beautiful Black Peter. The band's sound is clearly growing - transitioning into what they will sound like in 1972.  Set 2, on tap for next week, includes a wonderful Dark Star..

Grateful Dead
Easttown Theatre Detroit, MI
10/24/71 - Sunday

One
Sugar Magnolia [5:46] ;
Deal [5:11] ;
El Paso [4:36] ;
Tennessee Jed [6:06] ;
Jack Straw [4:54] ;
China Cat Sunflower [5:08] >
I Know You Rider [5:15] ;
Playing In The Band [6:11] ;
Black Peter [8:33] ;
Candyman [#6:11] ;
One More Saturday Night [4:14] ;
Casey Jones [5:50]

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:
http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod090916.mp3

the Deadpod is made possible through the kind donations of my listeners and supporters.. thank you!

Dead Show/podcast for 9/2/16

Happy Labor Day weekend! I'm hoping that this second set - from 8/28/81 in Long Beach California, will provide some sweet musical accompaniment to your your long weekend (assuming you will have one! if not my sympathies!).
This is an excellent set, starting off with a rockin' 'Shakedown Street'. While the 'Lost Sailor' provides a bit of a counter-point, the 'Saint of Circumstance' should put you back in the groove. Garcia's 'Wheel' that follows is a real treat - especially the jam afterwards that goes into Brent's 'Good Time Blues'. Following Drums and Space is a wonderful  'Spanish Jam'. A great bit of music to drift away on! 'Truckin' follows, and I'm afraid Weir is once again a bit lyrically challenged.. 'Wharf Rat' follows in the ballad slot.. once again combining the pathos of August West with the hopes and fears of us all.
A rousing 'Sugar Magnolia' closes the set, with the boys returning, and helping us bid adieu to summer, with 'US Blues'.

Long Beach Arena, Long Beach, CA (8/28/81)

set 2

Shakedown Street
Lost Sailor
Saint of Circumstance
The Wheel
Good Time Blues
drums
Spanish Jam
Truckin'
Wharf Rat
Sugar Magnolia

U.S. Blues

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod090216.mp3

I want to thank the fine folks whose contributions make the Deadpod possible!

Have a safe and happy Labor Day!