Dead Show/podcast for 5/8/26
The Deadpod
The Dead have a long history of great Spring performances, and 1980 was no exception. This week we go to Nassau for the May 14, 1980 show at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. This was the first night of a three‑show run, with the last two nights later compiled on the 2002 “Go To Nassau” release, leaving this opening show as the odd one out from the official catalog. This show comes shortly after the “Go To Heaven” release, so they open with “Alabama Getaway.” Jerry gives us a fine reading of “Candyman,” and the arrangements on Weir’s “country”...
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Dead Show/podcast for 5/1/26
The Deadpod
This week’s Deadpod takes us back to Pasadena, California, and the Rose Palace on May 10, 1969. This is a fierce, high-energy slice of early Dead, complete with a few rough edges from the road. “Hard To Handle” and “Morning Dew” both run into technical trouble, with the band’s frustration coming through loud and clear, but the real centerpiece here is the long psychedelic run from “Dark Star” into “Saint Stephen,” “The Eleven,” and a nearly half-hour “Turn On Your Love Light.” It’s primal Dead, unpredictable and powerful, with all the danger and electricity of...
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Dead Show/podcast for 4/24/26
The Deadpod
Saturday night in Chi-town brings us a second set that opens with the soon‑to‑be‑released “Touch of Grey,” delivered in a tight, confident reading. A funky “Man Smart (Woman Smarter)” follows, with Jerry and Brent locking into some lively interplay that keeps the energy high. “Terrapin Station” then unfolds and the band shows their trademark virtuosity, taking us on a vibrant, narrative‑driven ride. From there they drop into a deep, heavy Drums and Space segment—one of the real highlights of the set—before slamming into a powerful “Truckin’.” That sets up the...
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Dead Show/podcast for 4/17/26
The Deadpod
This week's Deadpod takes us to the first Midwestern stop since Garcia's coma, and it seems clear that Jerry is determined to show the fans that he is back and kicking! Following the 'Hell In A Bucket' opener, Jerry delivers a resounding 'Sugaree' with plenty of sparks and flourishes. Bobby's 'New Minglewood Blues is nicely paced - especially brimming with Brent's B3 contributions. The 'Loser' that follows however could well be the highlight of the set - the crowd is really into it and Jerry delivers a masterful reading. Brent's 'Tons of Steel' follows - Brent gives this track a real emotional...
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Dead Show/podcast for 4/10/26
The Deadpod
They open with a bouncy "Man Smart (Woman Smarter)" before Jerry brings out one of his more poignant ballads, "To Lay Me Down." The introspective mood continues as Bobby rolls into "Lost Sailor," but things pick up speed as he moves into "Saint of Circumstance." Drums and Space follows, slowly building momentum until Phil drops a huge bass bomb leading into "The Other One" — the jamming, psychedelic rendition here is the highlight of the set. They then drift into the haunting "Stella Blue" before "Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad" carries us toward the close, punctuated by a high-energy...
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Dead Show/podcast for 4/3/26
The Deadpod
We roll into the Spring Tour of 1982 on this week’s Deadpod, visiting Rochester, New York, where the boys always seemed to play a great show—and this one is no exception. They open with a jumping “Alabama Getaway” that slides into a tight “Greatest Story Ever Told.” From there the feel shifts from an easy‑rolling “Dire Wolf” into a bluesy “C C Rider.” The band takes flight on a soaring “Bird Song” that stretches out just enough to let you really sink into the jam. They move back into the barroom with “It’s All Over Now” and a bruised “Loser.” Following a...
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Dead Show/podcast for 3/27/26
The Deadpod
Nassau Coliseum, March 12, 1992 — and the second set is where the real action is. Bobby charges out of the gate with a muscular 'Saint of Circumstance' that rolls straight into a gorgeous 'Ship of Fools', with Vince's backing vocals elevating the whole thing. Then comes 'Corrina' — percolating along until Phil takes the wheel and steers them into a reprise of 'Playin' in the Band' from the night before, a rare thread connecting two consecutive shows. Drums and Space are worth the listen on their own tonight, before Phil drops the bass bombs that detonate into 'The Other One'. Jerry answers...
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Dead Show/podcast for 3/20/26
The Deadpod
This week's Deadpod drops us into the Spring 1992 tour, catching the band at the Nassau Coliseum for a rockin' first set that showcases both Phil Lesh and Bruce Hornsby — in what would turn out to be Bruce's final tour with the band. The set runs a bit short, but that was pretty typical for the latter-day Dead. No matter — the band is in fine form. Phil kicks things off leading the charge on 'Greatest Story Ever Told,' followed by a rousing 'Bertha.' 'Stagger Lee' is another Lesh showcase, though the whole band locks in beautifully by the end. 'Beat It On Down The Line' opens with a full...
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Dead Show/podcast for 3/13/26
The Deadpod
This week on the Deadpod, we’ve got the second set from the Grateful Dead’s Mardi Gras show on March 3rd, 1987. After the parade winds through, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band joins the boys for a loose and funky “Iko Iko.” It takes a minute for everyone to sync up, but it’s all part of the fun — you can feel how much they’re enjoying themselves. The set really kicks into gear with “Saint of Circumstance,” followed by a gorgeous “Terrapin Station.” Out of “Drums” and “Space,” the band fires up “Gimme Some Lovin’,” then slides into a sweet “Wharf Rat,”...
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Dead Show/podcast for 3/6/26
The Deadpod
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...
info_outlineWe continue with the second set from the Uptown Theatre in Chicago on November 18, 1978.
This one starts with a fine Scarlet>Fire, perhaps a bit shorter than some, but with some nice Garcia intensity leading into Fire. Miracle follows leading into an excellent 'He's Gone' - there's an interesting jam here unlike most you'll hear in this song. The recording really brings this one home. Instead of going right into Drums, we get Bobby and Phil leading the band into a fine 'Other One'. Once they do go into Drums, they go into a unique Ollin Arageed space.. 'Wharf Rat' then 'Sugar Magnolia ' end the set, but surprise, they do a 'One More Saturday Night' encore...
Grateful Dead
Uptown Theatre
Chicago, IL 11/18/1978 - Saturday
Two
Scarlet Begonias [11:35] >
Fire On The Mountain [7:05] ;
I Need A Miracle [7:52] >
He's Gone [11:09] >
The Other One [13:29] >
Drums [6:34] >
Space [2:34] >
Wharf Rat [9:10] >
Sugar Magnolia [8:44]
Encore
One More Saturday Night [4:45]
You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:
http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod111425.mp3
My thanks for your very kind support of the Deadpod