Dead Show/podcast for 3/31/23

After five months of 'retirement' the Grateful Dead returned to the stage at this benefit concert in San Francisco on March 23, 1975. While they were billed as 'Jerry Garcia and Friends' and Ned Lagin and Merl Saunders were sitting in, this performance was seen by most as confirming the rumors that the Grateful Dead's retirement was ending. 

I will leave it to you to imagine what it must have been like to have been in the audience and heard this wonderful piece of psychedelic music for the first time. Completely instrumental they blew the crowd away with the musicianship displayed here. 

When they finished, they broke out a spectacular 'Johnny B Goode' for good measure. 

 

Grateful Dead
Kezar Stadium
San Francisco, CA 3/23/1975 - Sunday
    
One    

Blues For Allah >
Stronger Than Dirt Or Milkin' The Turkey >
Drums >
Stronger Than Dirt Or Milkin' The Turkey >
Blues For Allah

Encore    
Johnny B. Goode 

Extra: a pre-show radio interview with Jerry Garcia
    
Merl Saunders and Ned Lagin sat in for complete Dead set  

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod033123.mp3 

 

"The sun will shine in my back door someday
March winds will blow all my troubles away"

Dead Show/podcast for 3/24/23

This week on the Deadpod we'll hear the second set from March 5, 1992 at Hampton Virginia. 

This starts with a very nice 'Eyes of the World', and you will immediately recognize the presence of both Hornsby and Welnick on this long 14+minute version. 

'Way To Go Home' follows. I think this is the 4th time I've played this on the Deadpod, and the first since 2017. Consider it a watermark of the times, I know its noone's favorite tune. 

Next Bobby delivers a powerful 'Estimated Prophet' which flows into a fine 'He's Gone'. Drums and a fairly long Space, standard for the times, follows. 'The Wheel' flows out of 'Space' with plenty of keyboards and an ensemble singing lead. 'I Need a Miracle' showcases Weir's energy and leads into a fine version of 'So Many Roads' one of their finest latter songs.

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod032423.mp3

Grateful Dead
Hampton Coliseum
Hampton, VA 3/5/1992 - Thursday

Two    

Eyes Of The World >
Way To Go Home >
Estimated Prophet >
He's Gone >
Drums >
Space >
The Wheel >
I Need A Miracle >
So Many Roads >
Good Lovin'

Encore    
U.S. Blues 

"So many roads, I tell you
New York to San Francisco
So many roads I know
All I want is one to take me home"

 

Dead Show/podcast for 3/17/23

This week the Deadpod moves twenty years in the future from last week's set,  this one which took place on March 5, 1992 at the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton Virginia. The first set, short as was the norm during this period of the band's existence, opens with a fine 'Help>Slip>Frank'. The boys sound energetic and Jerry plays some fine licks here, especially during the 'Slipknot'. A long bluesy 'The Same Thing' follows then  a sweet 'Jack-A-Roe'. Phil delivers a great 'Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues' and Bobby closes the set with a strong 'Let It Grow' 

We'll have the second set next week. 

 

Grateful Dead
Hampton Coliseum
Hampton, VA 3/5/1992 - Thursday

One    

Help On The Way >
Slipknot! >
Franklin's Tower ;
The Same Thing ;
Jack-A-Roe ;
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues ;
Let It Grow  

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod031723.mp3 

Hope you have a safe and happy St. Patrick's Day! 

thank you for your kind support of the Deadpod

Dead Show/podcast for 3/10/23

This week we move onto the second set from this massive show that took place on March 16, 1973 at the Nassau Coliseum. When you look at the setlist and the timings you might be tempted to think that the first half of the show is just a warm up to the huge Dark Star jam that takes place in set 2, but that would be a mistake. The band screams during these first three numbers in particular! I love the Bertha here, and when Jerry gets to Loser he really lets looks on the 'Sweet Susie'! 

The aforementioned Dark Star starts off methodically, but gradually picks up momentum and moves into unfamiliar spaces. The drumming is superb here in my opinion, and when the band finally move back to Earth on 'Truckin' with an explosion of energy you think that surely this must be the finale, but no, a wonderful Morning Dew follows to close the set. 

 

Grateful Dead
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Uniondale, NY 3/16/1973 - Friday

Two    

The Promised Land [2:51] >
Bertha [5:38] >
Greatest Story Ever Told [4:57]
Loser [6:39]
Big River [4:15]
Don't Ease Me In [3:06]
Me And My Uncle
Dark Star [26:30] >
Truckin' [8:26] >
Morning Dew [11:33]

Encore
Sugar Magnolia  

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod031023.mp3

"at least I'm enjoying the ride" 

 

 

Dead Show/podcast for 3/3/23

This week's Deadpod features another fabulous show from 1973. This week's show comes shortly after the death of Ron 'Pigpen' McKernan on the 8th of February 1973, and is the 2nd night of a three night run at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale NY, on March 16, 1973. 

Folks this is a massive 14 song first set, and the come out of the gate flying with a high energy 'China>Rider', complete with a great, perhaps the first, 'feelin' groovy' jam in the transition. The new 'Wave That Flag' follows with some nice keyboard work from Keith. A fine version of 'Looks Like Rain' follows, introduced with a nice intro from Phil. There are highlights throughout the rest of this set, including an early version of 'They Love Each Other' but the closing 'Playin' In the Band' is sure to bring some smiles.... 

 

Grateful Dead
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Uniondale, NY 3/16/1973 - Friday

One
China Cat Sunflower [6:09] >
Jam [1:51] >
I Know You Rider [4:33]
Jack Straw [4:32]
Wave That Flag [5:35]
Looks Like Rain [7:01]
Ramble On Rose [6:23]
Box Of Rain [4:43]
Beat It On Down The Line [3:17]
They Love Each Other [5:28]
El Paso [4:34]
Row Jimmy [7:58]
Mexicali Blues [3:23]
Bird Song
Playing In The Band 

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod030323.mp3

Keep on rollin' just a mile to go...