The Deadpod
This week the Deadpod goes back to a crazy show that happened back on June 21, 1971, which was only the band's second performance in Europe. Apparently they were invited to a outdoor festival in France by a rich fashion designer, who paid for the their transport, equipment and entourage to travel to Europe to play at this free festival. Well they were put in up some kind of nice Chateau, and the festival was rained out with a huge downpour. They sat around for a day or two and decided to break out the instruments and play at the grounds of the Chateau for the locals and those who traveled with...
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This week we present the second set from the band's performance at the Greek Theater in Berkeley California on May 22, 1982. A fine recording that starts off with a tight 'China>Rider', to lead off a nice pre-drums set. 'Man Smart, Woman Smarter' always got the crowd fired up and we also have a Brent number, and a great 'He's Gone' into Drums.. post Drums highlights include a nice 'Not Fade Away' and a rockin' 'Good Lovin' to close the set. While it is a Saturday show, we get a 'U.S. Blues' encore ! Grateful Dead Greek Theatre - University of California Berkeley, CA 5/22/1982 -...
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This week we venture back to a favorite venue, the Greek Theater at the University of California at Berkeley for the middle show of a three night run in the spring of 1982. Astute listeners will remember that I played the first night of this run just about a year ago, and this show is at least equally worth hearing.. The band treats us to a 'Jack Straw' opener, which then goes into a nice long 'Sugaree' with plenty of fireworks from Garcia. 'Cassidy' follows, then a funky 'Tennessee Jed' into a 'New New Minglewood Blues'. As always, the 'Cumberland Blues' that follows is a rocker, but...
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This week's Deadpod takes us to Hanover New Hampshire, where the band put on a fine show back on May 5, 1978. On a fine recording we get a nice rendition of the first set, with some excellent versions of 'Candyman', 'They Love Each Other' and 'Dire Wolf'. The band revs it up as always for 'Passenger', and the closing 'Lazy Lightning>Supplication' duo is outstanding as well. We'll hear set 2 next week.. Grateful Dead Thompson Arena - Dartmouth College Hanover, NH 5/5/1978 - Friday One The Promised Land [4:22] Dire Wolf [4:01] Cassidy [4:41]...
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This week we return to Hartford Connecticut for the second set of the band's performance on April 17, 1982. This set starts out with a smokin' 'Shakedown Street' featuring some exuberant Brent runs and interplay with Garcia. They then go into a top version of 'Sailor>Saint' which culminates in a bit of a Spanish Jam before leading into Drums and Space. 'Uncle John's Band' comes out of Space, not a usual occurance, and leads too into a hot 'Not Fade Away'. 'Wharf Rat' takes the ballad spot, and they rock out with 'Around and Around'; into a killer 'One More Saturday Night'. You might...
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This week on the Deadpod a fine show from the spring of 1982, one often overlooked due to the notoriety of the next night's performance. This show, from April 17, 1982 in Hartford Connecticut features quite a nice first set, with fine versions of Bird Song and Jack-A-Roe (which was still relatively new at the time). I also would call your attention to the arrangement of El Paso, which is played at a much slower tempo than the usual polka arrangement, and benefits from that difference, I think. Also an interesting set closer here with 'Man Smart, Woman Smarter'. The first two songs in...
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What a classic set list we have on this week's Deadpod. While this show took place back in 1991, none of the songs debuted earlier than 1972. Better yet, they are all played with joy and authority reminiscent of earlier periods in the band's history. The tight opening China>Rider portends a great second set, and we are not disappointed for following this we have a fine 'Looks Like Rain' highlighted by some Healy echo on Bobby's vocals, then Garcia leads the ensemble into a long and dreamy 'Dark Star. The Star goes seamlessly into an interesting drums and space but then returns...
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An outstanding performance awaits on this week's Deadpod as we usher in the month of April with a memorable set from April Fools' Day, 1991 at Greensboro, North Carolina. The band roars into a fantastic version of 'Jack Straw' and I for one, love the presence of Hornsby here and throughout the set. They dovetail into a nice version of 'Peggy-O' and Jerry is in fine form here. Bobby takes over for a rockin' version of 'It's All Over Now'; again Hornsby's contributions on the keyboard adds great effect. Jerry follows with a soulful 'Candyman' and Phil brings out 'Just LIke Tom Thumb's Blues' for...
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This week we're happy to present the second set from the band's performance back on March 22, 1973 at Utica New York. The set starts with a rockin' 'Big River' and then the early 'Wave That Flag' and 'Me & My Uncle' before getting down to business with a nice 'Here Comes Sunshine'. The heart of the set follows with long jazzy versions of 'Truckin', 'The Other One' and 'Eyes of the World'. 'China Doll' always offers a sweet soulful splashdown as they end the set with the 'Sugar Magnolia' There were apparently 2 encores, but we only have one on tape, 'One More Saturday Night',...
info_outlineThis week we have one of the finest shows from the Fall tour of 1985. This comes to us from Rochester New York on November 7, 1985.
The opening 'Dancing In the Street' is strong and cohesive - we can tell we are in for a special night. The 'Dire Wolf' presents Jerry in fine voice. While Bobby is a bit cheesy on 'CC Rider' the 'Loser' that follows is excellent. The country 'Mama Tried'>'Mexicalli Blues' is a great lead in to a rockin' 'Cumberland Blues'. While 'Beat it On Down the Line' is also tight and well-played, the set closing 'Deal' is a tad fast, but still always a nice set closer..
Grateful Dead
Community War Memorial Auditorium
Rochester, NY 11/7/1985 - Thursday
One
Dancing In The Street
Dire Wolf
C C Rider
Loser
Mama Tried >
Mexicali Blues
Cumberland Blues
Beat It On Down The Line
Deal
You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:
http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod110824.mp3
My sincere thanks for your kind support and well wishes!!