Dead Show/podcast for 3/6/26

This week we return to the post-coma Dead of early 1987 - this show took place on March 3, 1987 at the Kaiser Convention Center in Oakland. I happen to think the band, and Garcia, shows a real rebound here and hope you agree.

The opening 'Quinn the Eskimo' is a perfect way to elevate the crowd's mood, and Jerry does a fine job on the vocals.. it flows into a nice 'Greatest Story Ever Told ' and Jerry again hits it with a fine 'Loser'. 'Minglewood and 'Tons of Steel' are both well performed, and Bobby does some nice jamming on a fine version of 'Cassidy' 

The highlight of this set has to be fhe 'Mississippi Half-Step'. I think you'll agree that this one reaches a high note, and the set closing 'Promised Land' finishes things off with some great energy.  

 

Grateful Dead

Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center
Oakland, CA 3/3/1987 - Tuesday
One

The Mighty Quinn (Quinn The Eskimo) [4:32] 
Greatest Story Ever Told [3:59] 
Loser [7:08] 
New Minglewood Blues  [7:05] 
Tons Of Steel [5:14] 
Cassidy [6:10] 
Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo [9:15] >
The Promised Land [4:15]

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod030626.mp3  

 

thank you for your kind support..  

..."may the four winds blow you safely home.." 

 

Dead Show/podcast for 2/27/26

This week on the Deadpod, we roll into the second set from the band’s show at Pauley Pavilion, UCLA, on February 21, 1982.

The set kicks off with a lively China → Rider that flows effortlessly into a spacious Estimated Prophet. The jam here has a jazzy, relaxed vibe, with Bobby laying down some especially tasteful rhythmic textures. Eyes of the World follows — played at that brisk early-’80s tempo that might not be everyone’s favorite, but Garcia’s soaring fills more than make up for it.

After Drums and Space, the band launches into a fascinating Not Fade Away, led off by a wonderful Phil Lesh intro that gradually gathers steam as each player adds their voice to the mix. It builds into a full-on whirlwind, topped by some of Bobby’s trademark calls to the crowd. A heartfelt Brokedown Palace encore closes things out beautifully after a spirited Sugar Magnolia.

 

Grateful Dead
Pauley Pavilion - University of California
Los Angeles, CA 2/21/1982 - Sunday

Two    
China Cat Sunflower >
I Know You Rider >
Estimated Prophet >
Eyes Of The World >
Drums >
Space >
Not Fade Away >
Stella Blue >
Sugar Magnolia

Encore    
Brokedown Palace

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod022726.mp3

Thank you so much for your kind support

Dead Show/podcast for 2/20/26

Today we head back to February 1982 and the Pauley Pavilion at UCLA for a fine‑sounding tape of a very tasty Grateful Dead set.

They come out of the gate with a wonderful Shakedown; Brent and Phil are all over this one, and it makes for a perfect opener.

A gritty New Minglewood Blues follows, with Bobby leaning into the slide work here and again later on Little Red Rooster.

Jerry is in strong voice on Friend of the Devil and a spacious Bird Song, and the set wraps up in unusual fashion with Bertha sliding straight into Man Smart (Woman Smarter) as a first‑set closer.

Grateful Dead
Pauley Pavilion – University of California
Los Angeles, CA – 2/21/1982 – Sunday

One
Shakedown Street >
New Minglewood Blues 
Friend Of The Devil 
Me And My Uncle >
Big River 
Bird Song 
Little Red Rooster 
Bertha >
Man Smart (Woman Smarter)

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod022026.mp3 

 

Dead Show/podcast for 2/13/26

Welcome to this week's Deadpod! We're diving into the second set from the Grateful Dead's homecoming performance at the Oakland Coliseum on February 26, 1990 — the middle night of their Mardi Gras run.

The boys were clearly thrilled to be back in the Bay Area, and that energy radiates through this exceptional set. The pre-drums sequence is absolutely stellar: nearly 30 minutes of Scarlet > Fire flows seamlessly into a spirited Playing, which then blooms into the full Terrapin suite. It's the kind of sustained improvisation that reminds you why these songs belong together.

Coming out of Space, the emotional arc deepens — I Need a Miracle's urgency gives way to one of Jerry's most tender Stella Blues of the era, before Bobby unleashes a joyful, rollicking Lovelight that brings everyone home. The Baby Blue encore provides the perfect denouement to a magical night.

This Mardi Gras run always promised good times, and the band delivered in spades.

Grateful Dead
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
Oakland, CA | February 26, 1990 (Monday)

Set 2
Scarlet Begonias [13:02] >
Fire On The Mountain [15:42]
Playing In The Band [9:58] >
Terrapin Station [12:54] >
Drums > Space >
I Need A Miracle [4:59] >
Stella Blue [8:53] >
Turn On Your Love Light [5:58]

Encore
It's All Over Now, Baby Blue [7:13]

Listen to this week's Deadpod here: 

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod021326.mp3

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

 

Dead Show/podcast for 2/6/26

As we roll into February this week's Deadpod comes from the second night of the Mardi Gras run of 1990. I think the boys are in good spirits here and we have some nice treats here in set one, with more to follow in next week's second set.

 Bobby opens with 'Hell In A Bucket' and you can tell how much he enjoys delivering it. Following a nice 'Peggy-O' we get another spirited Bobby number with a really good 'Walkin' Blues'. 'Ramble On Rose' always picks things up, then we get some encouragement for Phil to sing, and he obliges with a great 'Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues'. 

The somewhat short set concludes with 'Music Never Stopped' into 'Don't Ease Me In'.

Grateful Dead
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
Oakland, CA 2/26/1990 - Monday
One - [0:50:16]

Hell In A Bucket [6:54] 
Peggy-O [6:36] 
Walkin' Blues [6:14] 
Ramble On Rose [7:52] 
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues [5:59] 
The Music Never Stopped [7:04]
Don't Ease Me In [3:42]  

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod020626.mp3  

'Winter gray and falling rain, we'll see summer come again'

 thanks for your kind support  

Dead Show/podcast for 1/30/26

This week I decided to go back and pick up this second set from the band's performance back on January 16, 1970 at Springer's Inn in Portland Oregon. 

 This recording has some issues - especially during the first two numbers - the Cumberland Blues is cut both at the start and the end, and Me & My Uncle is cut at the start. I've included both out of a love of completeness and because they still sound great. Some highlights here include a wonderful 'Dire Wolf' - with an admonition from Jerry to sing along, a fine 'Uncle John's Band' and Pigpen's 'Easy Wind'. I think you'll enjoy the rest of this set as well, especiall if you are a fan of 'Anthem of the Sun'.. 

 

 Grateful Dead
January 16, 1970
Springer's Inn 
Portland, OR 

Set 2

//Cumberland Blues//
//Me & My Uncle->
Dire Wolf
Uncle John's Band
Easy Wind
Cryptical Envelopment ->
Drums ->
The Other One ->
Cryptical Envelopment ->
Cosmic Charlie

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod013026.mp3 

"Such a long, long time to be gone
And a short time to be there"