The Deadpod

With the passing of Phil Lesh I decided to bring you a complete Phil & Friends show from the last time I was lucky enough to see him - March 12, 2023 in Chicago. I really enjoyed the show and hope you dig it. Words can't express what the man meant to the Dead or the scene. We were lucky to have been able to be in his presence from time to time. I know this makes a longer Deadpod than usual, hope it doesn't mess anything up for you. Phil Lesh And Friends The Salt Shed Chicago, Illinois 3/12/2023 1st Set Jam > Sunshine Of Your Love > Deep Elem Blues Bertha He's Gone > Pride Of Cucamunga Cassidy Sugaree 2nd Set Jam > Low Spark Of High-Heeled Boys > Scarlet Begonias > Mountains Of The Moon Uncle John's Band Eyes Of The World The Wheel Shakedown Street Encore: Phil Banter Band Introductions Rock Steady Phil Lesh - Bass And Vocals Warren Haynes - Guitar And Vocals Grahame Lesh - Guitar And Vocals Jason Crosby - Keyboards And Vocals Natalie Cressman - Trombone And Vocals Jennifer Hartswick - Trumpet And Vocals James Casey - Saxophone And Vocals John Molo - Drums You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod110124.mp3

This week's Deadpod features the second set from the band's performance at the Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, NC on October 10, 1989. A good example, I think, of why this was a high water mark in the band's performance history, this second set showcases their ability to improvise both in spots intended and unintended. The latter I think, is shown in the opening 'Blow Away', which despite some forgotten lyrics and miscues turns into a fine opening number. The jamming in the 'Help>Slip>Frank', especially out of Franklins' and into a fine drums, is an example of some more expected, but nevertheless, successful creativity. Lastly I have to point out how good 'Not Fade Away is here.. far from being mailed in... Grateful Dead Charlotte Coliseum Charlotte, NC 10/22/1989 - Sunday Two Blow Away [10:00] Samson And Delilah [6:20] Help On The Way [3:44] > Slipknot! [6:33] > Franklin's Tower [9:40] > Jam [7:#17] > Drums [5:55] > Space [8:43] > I Need A Miracle [4:04] > Stella Blue [8:36] > Throwing Stones [9:11] > Not Fade Away [7:51#] Encore Black Muddy River [5:53] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod102524.mp3 Again, thanks for your well wishes and patience with my (typing) brevity!

This week the Deadpod travels to January of 1980 for an unusual benefit show that the Dead appeared at for Cambodian refugees in Oakland, along with Jefferson Starship, the Beach Boys and Carlos Santana and John Cippolina. This is a tight and well played set throughout. The opening 'Jack Straw' into 'Franklin's Tower' is crisp and edgy. 'Minglewood' is a standout as well. I really enjoy all of these, but the 'Playin' is probably the highlight, although the Santana solo in 'Not Fade Away' is a treat as well; its interesting to hear these three great guitarists playing together.. Grateful Dead Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena Oakland, CA 1/13/1980 - Sunday One Jack Straw [5:42] > Franklin's Tower [11:44] New Minglewood Blues [6:56] Tennessee Jed [8:21] > Looks Like Rain [7:12] > Don't Ease Me In [7:16] Playing In The Band [10:41] > Drums [7:15] > Not Fade Away (1) [14:27] > Sugar Magnolia (1) [7:30] Encore U.S. Blues [#4:18] Comments Cambodian Refugee Benefit. (1) with Carlos Santana and John Cippolina. It is with some sadness that I have to announce that this will be the last Deadpod for some time... I'm scheduled for open heart surgery next week and I'm not sure when I'll be able to be back here sharing these great songs with you. Don't give up on me as I don't plan to give up.. I'll be back as soon as I am able but in the meantime I'd encourage you to listen to some of the old Deadpods - the entire run is still available.. Keep your light on and thanks my friends for all of your support and for listening..

A fine second set awaits you on this week's Deadpod as we explore the second set from the band's performance at the Cumberland Coutny civic Center in Portland Maine on September 17, 1982. This is a matrix recording - but the first two songs are a mix of several audience sources as the soundboard for those doesn't seem to exist.. 'Touch of Grey' and 'Man Smart, Woman Smarter' are played uptempo and crisply..Their followed by a beautiful rendition of 'High Time'; Jerry's emotive vocals just hint at how expressive this set will be. 'Estimated' follows, then a delicate 'Eyes of the World'. Following drums and space Weir teases a Spanish Jam but they eventual let Phil take the helm and lead them into the powerful 'Other One' intro.. the crowd loves it and when they finish and go into 'Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad' there is a fair amount of sing along.. The highlight of the set in my opinion is the tremendous version of 'Morning Dew' that follows.. Jerry is at his most expressive here.. words won't do it justice. A fine 'Sugar Magnolia' closes the set and a 'US Blues' encore caps the evening... Grateful Dead Cumberland County Civic Center Portland, ME 9/17/1982 - Friday Two Touch Of Grey [6:33] > Man Smart (Woman Smarter) [5:46] ; High Time [7:16] ; Estimated Prophet [12:27] > Eyes Of The World [8:53] > Drums > Space [3:58] > The Other One [10:56] > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad [5:37] > Morning Dew [8:52] > Sugar Magnolia [8:43] Encore U.S. Blues [4:58] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod091324.mp3 May the music lift you up .. thanks for your kind support.

Hey Now! This week the Deadpod takes us to Portland Maine, for a show that took place at the Cumberland County Civic Center on September 17, 1982. This 12 song first set is a concise reading of many of their standards. Brent and Phil are upfront in the mix and overall I find these quite enjoyable. There is a false start in 'Me & My Uncle' which is quite unusual, and we have 'Dupree's' 2 weeks in a row- I'm sure that's a Deadpod record ;) Grateful Dead Cumberland County Civic Center Portland, ME 9/17/1982 - Friday One Bertha [6:25] > The Promised Land [4:02] Candyman [6:31] > C C Rider [8:16] Althea [7:47] Me And My Uncle [3:15] > Big River [5:36] Dupree's Diamond Blues [5:48] It's All Over Now [7:04] West L.A. Fadeaway [7:35] Throwing Stones [5:40] > Deal [5:43] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod090624.mp3 Many thanks for your kind support!

Holy Smokes! It's Labor Day weekend! Hopefully this second set from the second Field Trip at the Oregon Country Fairgrounds can help you get in the mood for some fun and frolic as we celebrate the passing of another summer... This one starts with the debut of 'Keep Your Day Job' -- and not in the encore slot! Another debut - 'West LA Fadeaway' is also on the menu here. The pre-drums 'Playin In the Band' lifts things up while the post drums 'Wheel'>'Other One' is probably the highlight of this set.. Jerry pulls out a very unusual 'Dupree's Diamond Blues' as the encore here which I'm sure delighted the faithful.. Grateful Dead Oregon Country Fairgrounds Veneta, OR 8/28/1982 - Saturday Two Keep Your Day Job [5:06]* > Man Smart (Woman Smarter) [6:42] West L.A. Fadeaway [7:03]* Far From Me [3:34] > Playing In The Band [11:03] > Drums > Space [5:56] > The Wheel [5:50] > The Other One [8:04] > Truckin' [6:11] > Black Peter [8:23] > Playing In The Band [3:18] > One More Saturday Night [4:33] Encore Dupree's Diamond Blues [5:48] *First time played You can listen to this week's Deadpod here; http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod083024.mp3 On a very sad note, this one is dedicated to the memory of Steve Silberman who just passed .. sleep in the stars brother....

This week's Deadpod features the second 'Field Trip' at the Oregon Country Fairgrounds in Veneta Oregon on August 28,1982. While not as famous, or as monumental, as the first Field Trip immortalized in the 'Sunshine Daydream' movie, this show has plenty of stellar moments and is certainly worthy of a listen. While the first set is not as packed with jaw-dropping moments as parts of set 2, there are plenty of interesting moments here. Brent and Jerry are both in fine form throughout. You can certainly tell when the boys get it all together here at the end of the set, with a wonderful 'China>Rider'.Just as in the first field trip, this combo gets everyone shakin' their bones and the band seems to hit the X factor here. Grateful Dead Oregon Country Fairgrounds Veneta, OR 8/28/1982 - Saturday One Bertha > New Minglewood Blues Tennessee Jed Me And My Uncle > Big River Althea It's All Over Now China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod082324.mp3 be well and look out for each other.... my thanks for your kind support..

This week's second set from the August 6, 1971 at the Hollywood Paladium is a classic. It opens with 'St. Stephan' - they'd only play this one five more times before 1976.. a nice 'Truckin' goes into drums, then they roar into 'The Other One' and segue flawlessly into 'Me & My Uncle' - the first time they tried this and it worked perfectly.. they then go back into the 'Other One' but if you listen you can hear a WRS prelude tease before they do... Things mellow a bit with 'Deal' but the rest of the set is just as intense with 'Sugar Magnolia' then a great 'Morning Dew' and Pigpen lets it loose with a 23 minute plus 'Lovelight'.. Grateful Dead Hollywood Palladium Hollywood, CA 8/6/1971 - Friday Two Saint Stephen [6:16] Truckin' [6:50] > Drums [3:56] > The Other One [7:29] > Me And My Uncle [3:08] > The Other One [5:41] Deal [5:05] Sugar Magnolia [6:18] Morning Dew [10:42] Turn On Your Love Light [23:38] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod081624.mp3 Thank you for your kind support of the Deadpod!

As we come to the end of the Days Between, and reflect on what Jerry gave us I thought it appropriate to present a classic show from when the band was young and ferocious. This comes to us from August 6, 1971 at the Hollywood Palladium. Long considered a classic, I'm sure you'll agree if you haven't yet been fortunate enough to hear this performance. This first set contains no clunkers.. I think each of these songs is a top-notch rendition, but for sure I have to point out 'Mr. Charlie' and 'Cumberland Blues'.. but the highlight here is clearly the great version of 'Hard to Handle'.. Pigpen is at his finest ... Grateful Dead Hollywood Palladium Hollywood, CA 8/6/1971 - Friday One Bertha [5:52] Playing In The Band [4:34] Loser [6:29] Mr. Charlie [3:27] El Paso [7:07] Cumberland Blues [5:03] Brokedown Palace [4:57] Me And Bobby McGee [5:47] Hard To Handle [7:16] Casey Jones [4:55] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod080924.mp3 Our love is real, not fade away....

This week we conclude the band's performance on July 26, 1972 at the Paramount Theater in Portland, Oregon. Clearly the 'Dark Star' we open with is the highlight of this set, if not the show. It traverses the heavens for over half and hour and features some excellent improvisational displays (see the Dark Star map below). It leads into a lovely and soulful 'Comes A Time'. 'Sugar Mag' follows to get things rockin' again, and that leads into a 'Brown Eyed Women' which is unfortunately cut on the tape. Another Jerry ballad - 'Stella Blue' follows and then the band revs it up for a fine 'Not Fade Away>Going Down the Road>Not Fade Away' conclusion to this epic set. 'One More Saturday Night' is the encore, although this one was played on Wednesday :) Grateful Dead Paramount Theatre Portland, OR 7/26/1972 - Wednesday Two (con't): Dark Star [31:13] (5) > Comes A Time [7:03] Sugar Magnolia [7:56] Brown Eyed Women [3#:38] Beat It On Down The Line [3:06] Stella Blue [8:06] Not Fade Away [5:15] > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad [8:20] > Not Fade Away [3:22] Encore One More Saturday Night [5:32] (5) Dark Star Map: Dark Star theme/Jam [9:22] > theme/Verse one [1:49] > Spacy Jam [1:08] > Bass and Drums [1:05] > Bass, Drums and Piano [1:10] > All but Jerry Jam [0:30] > Jam [3:45] > Spacier [1:15] > Space [4:05] > tiger [1:00] > Uptempo Spacy Jam [2:50] > theme/Verse 2 [2:53] > Comes a time. You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod080224.mp3 hard to believe it's time for another 'Days Between'.... hope you are well and thanks for your kind support.

This week we continue with a show from 52 years ago today - 7/26/72. We will pick up with the ending of set 1 then work into the second set.. We start with a sweet 'Playin' In the Band' - Donna is introduced before hand and its a fine start to this week's Deadpod. They close set one with ' Casey Jones'. Set 2 begins with a strong 'Promised Land' then goes into 'He's Gone' which had debuted only a few months before. 'Uncle' follows then 'You Win Again' which would only be played 2 more times before it was retired in September. A high energy 'Greatest Story' follows and we close this edition of the Deadpod with some fine Garcia work on 'Ramble on Rose'.. Grateful Dead Paramount Theater Portland, OR 7/26/1972 - Wednesday One (continued) Playing In The Band [12:27] Casey Jones [4:48] Two The Promised Land [2:58] He's Gone [8:46] Me And My Uncle [3:05] You Win Again [4:02] Greatest Story Ever Told [4:57] Ramble On Rose [6:09] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod072624.mp3 Stay tuned for the climax of this show on next week's Deadpod! thank you for your kind support!

This week's Deadpod features a massive show from the summer of 1972. This show is so big that I'm splitting it into three Deadpods - this week we will hear most of set 1.. This features some fine renditions of some of their standards - highlights include a great Sugaree, a mid--set China>Rider and a raucous Tennesee Jed. This one goes out to Steve - happy Birthday! Grateful Dead Paramount Theater Portland, OR 7/26/1972 - Wednesday One Cold Rain And Snow [527] Black Throated Wind [5:59] Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo [6:59] Mexicali Blues [3:29] Sugaree [7:14] (1) El Paso [4:20] China Cat Sunflower [6:44] > I Know You Rider [4:51] (2) Jack Straw [4:54] Tennessee Jed [7:35] (1) Lesh: Who What When Who When Where Who What Oh sorry. Could you repeat that please? (2) China Cat Sunflower [3:22] > Jam [3:22] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod071924.mp3 Hope you are having a fabulous summer! thanks so much for your kind support

This week we have the second set from the band's performance at Alpine Valley on July 7, 1984. This is a strong set throughout, with the band really coming together I think to deliver some great versions of these songs. 'Samson and Delilah' opens with the drummers providing the familiar beat.. Jerry follows with 'Cold Rain and Snow' - always appropriate for a July show. They then seg into 'Playin' In the Band', while not overly long, this version does feature some interesting Brent effects and seqs interestingly into 'China Doll'. Jerry hits this one just right and then they move into a very good Drums segment. They come out of drums surprisingly into 'Terrapin Station' as you think you hear some 'Other One' notes being played.. but the Terrapin is told well and goes into Bobby doing 'Throwing Stones' with a few different lyrics. 'Not Fade Away' follows, but is short, as Phil insists they move into 'Lovelight'! the first since NYE 82.. Bobby does a fine version here, and they close with a return to 'Not Fade Away'. A 'Brokedown Palace' encore prepares the faithful for that long trek up the hill... Grateful Dead 1984-07-07 Saturday Alpine Valley Music Theatre - East Troy, WI Two Samson And Delilah Cold Rain And Snow Playing In The Band > China Doll > Space > Drums > Space > Terrapin Station > Throwing Stones > Not Fade Away > Turn On Your Love Light > Not Fade Away Encore Brokedown Palace You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod071224.mp3 Enjoy and be kind :)

This week we travel to one of the beloved summer venues - Alpine Valley - for a show that took place back on July 7, 1984, a Saturday night. The first set starts with 'Hell In A Bucket', then moves into a fine 'Dire Wolf' Jerry really belts it out here, and its fun to listen to. 'New New Minglewood Blues' follows with Bobby telling us its 'T for Alpine Valley' .. 'Dupree's Diamond Blues follows - a bit slower, but still one that brings a smile. 'My Brother Esau' shares Bobby's anti-war message. 'Brown Eyed Women' may be the highlight of the set with some strong work by Jerry here. 'Looks like Rain' goes into 'Might as Well' to close the set, and Jerry sounds like his voice needs a break.. Grateful Dead 1984-07-07 Saturday Alpine Valley Music Theatre - East Troy, WI Set 1: Hell In A Bucket Dire Wolf New New Minglewood Blues Dupree's Diamond Blues My Brother Esau Brown-Eyed Women Looks Like Rain > Might As Well You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod070524.mp3 Have a safe and fun holiday weekend! thanks for your kind support of the Deadpod!

This week's conclusion of the band's performance down at Eugene on June 24,1990 displays several sides of the band which highlight their agility and craft at putting together a setlist. From the opening sequence which I'd describe as light and bouncy - 'Foolish Heart' into 'Man Smart, Woman Smarter' they move into 'Standing on the Moon' and 'Box of Rain'. They follow with a typically animated Bob Weir on 'Estimated' into 'He's Gone' - all before Drums and Space. He's Gone doesn't end with the mellow a cappella fade out they often employed, instead they move into drums and space and build into a great post-drums 'Other One'>Wharf Rat>Sugar Magnolia conclusion to a great show. The 'Brokedown Palace' encore caps off a fine Sunday show... Grateful Dead Autzen Stadium - University of Oregon Eugene, OR 6/24/1990 - Sunday Two Foolish Heart > Man Smart, Woman Smarter > Standing On The Moon ; Box Of Rain ; Estimated Prophet > He's Gone > Drums > Space > The Other One > Wharf Rat > Sugar Magnolia Encore Brokedown Palace You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod062824.mp3 Have a safe and FUN July 4th!! and thanks for your kind support.

It sure feels like summertime here, and one of my favorite summer time tours was back in 1990.. this week we go back to Eugene for a fine show that took place on June 24, 1990 at Autzen Stadium at the University of Oregon. The first set starts with a fine Help>Slip>Frank - Jerry has some great leads here.. Masterpiece follows and Bob does the vocals just right. Loose Lucy made its reappearance in the Spring of 90, and Jerry breaks it out here for the sixth time since 1974. Brent shines 'Just A Little Light'.. a personal favorite of mine. Picasso Moon and Candyman follow and the set closes with an excellent 'Let It Grow'... Grateful Dead Autzen Stadium - University of Oregon Eugene, OR 6/24/1990 - Sunday One Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Franklin's Tower When I Paint My Masterpiece Loose Lucy Just A Little Light Picasso Moon Candyman Let It Grow You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod062124.mp3 I'll be bopping at the Sphere tonight.. hope you have a wonderful week!

Here is the second set from the band's performance at the Boston Music Hall on June 10, 1976. Samson always seemed like a favorite to break out in Boston, and revs things up for a fine 'Help>Slip>Frank' here. Nice harmonies here, and the Slipknot features some upfront work by Keith. Bobby does a fine 'Let It Grow', then we have a mid-set 'Friend of the Devil' - a bit more spacey than usual, but that leads into the highlight of the set, a 'Playin' In The Band' which leads into an excellent 'Space jam'. That eventually goes into 'Dancin' In The Streets' and the band closes out the set with a rocking 'U.S. Blues'. Grateful Dead Boston Music Hall Boston, MA 6/10/1976 - Thursday Two Samson & Delilah Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower Let It Grow Friend Of The Devil Playing In The Band > Dancin' In The Streets > U.S. Blues You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod061424.mp3 This space is geting Hot!

A fine show from the comeback year of 1976 graces this week's Deadpod. This is from June 10, 1976 at the Boston Music Hall in Boston. The thirteen song first set should provide plenty of chances to reflect on how fortunate we hare to have this music after all these years.. In general this set, as most from this time period, shows the band concentrating on tight arrangements with powerful singing, perhaps at the expense of more free-flowing jamming. Some of the highlights here include a great 'Music Never Stopped', a short but sweet 'Sugaree', and of course a lovely 'Mission In the Rain', a song that did not last long in the Dead's rotation, but of course did more so in Jerry's solo work. I'd be remiss to not point out the lovely harmony on 'Looks Like Rain' with Bobby and Donna, as well as Keith's up front piano throughout. The closing 'Might As Well' is notable for Phil's unique bass.. Grateful Dead Boston Music Hall Boston, MA 6/10/1976 - Thursday One The Promised Land Sugaree Cassidy They Love Each Other The Music Never Stopped Brown-Eyed Women Lazy Lightning > Supplication Row Jimmy Big River Mission In The Rain Looks Like Rain Might As Well You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod060724.mp3 I hope you enjoy the music, and thank you for your kind support!

This week the Deadpod returns to Milwaukee for the second set of the band's performance from May 30, 1980. A fine Scarlet>Fire opens this set, including some excellent jamming in the transition (by the way check out this week's Deadcast for an excellent discussion of 'Scarlet Begonias' here: https://www.dead.net/deadcast) A seemingly short 'Playing In the Band' follows, but there is some excellent improvisation going on in the transition to a sweet drum segment that follows. 'Not Fade Away' flows into the 'Black Peter' and then into an excellent 'Goin' Down the Road Feeling Bad'. Bobby ends the set with a nice 'Good Lovin' but the boys really get worked up on the 'Alabama Getaway' encore.. not to be missed.. Grateful Dead Milwaukee Auditorium Milwaukee, WI 5/30/1980 - Friday Two Scarlet Begonias [9:18] > Fire On The Mountain [10:17] Playing In The Band [13:49] > Drums [7:39] > Space [2:20] > Not Fade Away [5:32] > Black Peter [8:50] > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad [7:21] > Good Lovin' [7:01] Encore Alabama Getaway [4:25] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod053124.mp3 Have a fabulous week! thanks for picking us up!

I think we have a good one to send you off on your Memorial Day weekend - this comes to us from May 30, 1980 at the Milwaukee Auditorium in Milwaukee Wisconsin. The first set starts with a fine 'Jack Straw' - the first minute forty is supplied by an audience tape but hold on because the rest is a fine soundboard. The transition jams from Jack Straw to Franklin's Tower are off the chart.. Jerry is in fine form here.. as evidenced by the hot Uncle and Big River that follow... They include a 'Passenger' here, without Donna of course, but still smokin'... then Brent does an early 'Easy to Love You'. They bring down the house with a set closing 'Music Never Stopped'. Grateful Dead Milwaukee Auditorium Milwaukee, WI 5/30/1980 - Friday One Jack Straw [5:29] > Franklin's Tower [11:15] Me And My Uncle [3:06] > Big River [6:11] Friend Of The Devil [8:36] Passenger [5:10] Easy To Love You [3:29] Althea [8:31] The Music Never Stopped [7:45] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod052424.mp3 I hope you have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day.. take a moment to pause and remember what the holiday is for..