Dead Show/podcast for 4/30/21

This week on the Deadpod we feature a Kentucky Derby Day performance by the band back in 1991. This was at Cal Expo, in Sacramento California on May 4, 1991. 

The band starts out hard and tight with a roaring 'Hell In a Bucket'. They are without Hornsby here, and in some ways sound tighter and more together (although I'm well aware that opinions differ on how Vince sounds here). The 'Sugaree' that follows is very good, with Garcia really ramping it up in the solo. 

I think that the version of 'The Race Is On' here is a real winner. 'Row Jimmy' is always fun to hear and they also feature 'New Speedway Boogie' which they broke out during the Spring tour that year.

Grateful Dead
Cal Expo Amphitheater
Sacramento, CA  5/4/91 - Saturday
One    

Hell In A Bucket ;
Sugaree ;
New Minglewood Blues ;
Loser ;
The Race Is On ;
Row Jimmy ;
When I Paint My Masterpiece ;
New Speedway Boogie ;
The Music Never Stopped 

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod043021.mp3 

Hoping you have a fine Derby weekend, and a fine May to follow! 

thanks for your support

 

Dead Show/podcast for 4/23/21

This week the Deadpod goes back to the Spring of 1969 for a set the Dead played in Chicago at a place either called 'The Electric Theater' or the 'Kinetic Playground' depending on where you look :) 

While this is a short set, the story goes that the Velvet Underground was on the same bill, and played before the Dead. Apparently they played a very long set and the Dead were left with only enough time for a short set. The story goes that the Dead returned the favor the next night... 

Their set opens with a rather sloppy 'Hard To Handle' - apparently Jerry was experimenting with using the pedal steel on this one, and it doesn't come off so well. 'Doin' That Rag' follows and has a nice jam in it, but they really get going with the 'Good Morning Little Schoolgirl' that follows  - some classic Pigpen here and throughout. An early 'Morning Dew' follows, then, unfortunately, Bobby's Yellow Dog story. 

The set closes with two excellent pieces, 'Sitting on Top of the World' and and a great 'Lovelight'. 

 

Grateful Dead
Electric Theater
Chicago, IL 4/25/69 - Friday

One -

Hard to Handle [4:25] %
Doin' That Rag [7:32] %
Good Morning Little Schoolgirl [11:28] %
Morning Dew [7:32] %
Yellow dog story [1:58] %
Sitting on Top of the World [3:46] %
Turn On Your Love Light [23:30] 

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod042321.mp3  

Have a great week! and thanks for your support! 

 

Dead Show/podcast for 4/16/21

We have a very fine second set this week from the Grateful Dead's performance at the Hartford Civic Center on April 18, 1982. While the show is known for the famous 'Earthquake Space' that Phil creates following drums, the interplay throughout is wonderful from all the members of the band and this fine recording captures that fun and joy completely. I would draw your attention in particular to the wonderful 'Samson and Delilah' here. Bob and Jerry really spice this one up wonderfully. It's a fine set list in its entirety including a nice 'Playin' In the Band' and 'Eyes of the World', the later a bit faster than its 70s versions but still having the capacity to make our spirts soar. 

The post-drums setlist is no snoozer either, with 'The Other One' leading into a fine 'Black Peter'. 'Sugar Mag' leads into a nice 'Playin' reprise, and they end with a spirited 'Sugar Magnolia'. After all this I think they can be excused for the 'Don't Ease' encore ;) 

 

Grateful Dead
Hartford Civic Center
Hartford, CT
4/18/82 - Sunday
 
Two    

Cold Rain And Snow >
Samson And Delilah ;
Ship Of Fools ;
Playing In The Band >
Eyes Of The World >
Drums >
Space (1) >
The Other One >
Black Peter >
Sugar Magnolia >
Playing In The Band >
Sunshine Daydream

Encore    

Don't Ease Me In

Comments     (1) Earthquake Space 

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod041621.mp3 

I hope this finds everyone doing well and feeling the warmth of Spring. 

thank you for your kind support! 

Dead Show/podcast for 4/9/21

 

 This week we have the first set of a legendary show from April 18, 1982 in Hartford CT. 

Those of you familiar with either the history of the Grateful Dead or of San Francisco know that April 18, 1906 was the date of the great San Francisco Earthquake, and this show is famous for its legendary 'Earthquake Space'. Since I prefer presenting complete shows, and since this first set is quite good on its own merits, we'll hear it this week, and the second set, complete with the 'earthquake space' next. 

This one starts with a rocking 'Bertha' into 'Promised Land'. A pretty 'Friend of the Devil' leads into a rather mellow 'CC Rider'. 'Ramble on Rose' is notable for how great Jerry's voice sounds. After the cowboy polka, 'Althea' is a favorite of mine. 'Big Railroad Blues' has Brent really hitting the mark, I think you'll enjoy it, and the 'Let It Grow' is probably the highlight of this set. 

 

Grateful Dead
Hartford Civic Center
Hartford, CT
4/18/82 - Sunday
 
One    

Bertha >
The Promised Land ;
Friend Of The Devil >
C C Rider ;
Ramble On Rose ;
Me And My Uncle >
Mexicali Blues ;
Althea >
Looks Like Rain ;
Big Railroad Blues ;
Let It Grow  

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod040921.mp3

Dead Show/podcast for 4/2/21

This week we are fortunate enough to hear the second set of the band's fine performance from March 20, 1977 at the Winterland in San Francisco. A Sunday show, this set starts out appropriately enough with a great 'Samson and Delilah'. A beautiful 'Row Jimmy' follows with very soulful Garcia vocals. 

The heart of this set comes with the St. Stephen>Other One> Stella Blue combo. Following the excellent St. Stephen, Phil drops into 'The Other One' on a dime. This one contains some great jamming, and in particular the ending where Garcia develops a unique and beautiful transition to the wonderful 'Stella Blue'.

They rock it out after that but close with a nice double encore, including the fifth time they play 'Terrapin'..

 

Grateful Dead
Winterland Arena
San Francisco, CA 3/20/77 - Sunday    

Two    

Samson And Delilah [8:17] ;
Row Jimmy [10:00] ;
The Promised Land [4:05] ;
Saint Stephen [9:49] >
The Other One [14:48] >
Stella Blue [8:57] ;
Around And Around [7:58]
Encore    
U.S. Blues [5:57] ;
Terrapin Station [10:47]  

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod040221.mp3 

 My thanks for your kind support.