Steve Urbauer's Grateful Dead Podcast

Hiya Folks! It's been a little bit - since May of 2017! (Whoa.) This episode is happening largely because of a conversation I had with my friend David Gracie last night. David is a painter, and a mighty-fine one at that! Check his work out here: http://www.dgracie.com/ I didn't know that he'd seen the Dead, but he saw them October 1, 1994 at the Boston Garden - which just happens to be one of my favorite shows from the '90's. We were talking about that with another friend that brought up this Podcast - and I felt like it was time to do another one, so here we are! Given that 1994-1995 are pretty tough ones to love, this show is really enjoyable. Garcia is obviously frail, but he is present and engaged here - and the band sounds great overall! This is a high-energy show, a for-real Grateful Dead concert - warts, and all. As usual I've edited this down for brevity's sake: From Set 1: Help on the Way -> Slipknot -> Franklin's Tower, Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues, Promised Land From Set 2: Scarlet Begonias -> Fire on the Mountain, Long Way to Go Home, St. of Circumstance, Terrapin Station... ...The Last Time -> Stella Blue -> One More Saturday Night! It's hard to believe that almost 25 years have passed since this went down, lots of water under the bridge for sure. If you would have told me back then how amazing it would be to be a DeadHead in the year 2019 I *might* have believed you. We're so lucky to have all of the amazing people that have continued what these guys started - 2019 is shaping up to be an amazing year for Grateful Dead music! As always feel free to drop a line @ negdpodcast@gmail.com, 'Like' NEGDPodcast on Facebook and follow @NEGDPodcast on Twitter! Take care of yourselves, see you sometime! Stephen Urbauer

Hiya Folks! I'm getting 'pre-show' fever for seeing Dead and Co at Folsom Field in Boulder soon, so I looked around for other shows from there - and stumbled across these "15 Year Anniversary" shows! They're both great (and Warren Zevon opened both) - I'm going to play the 1st Set from the second night, June 8. It's a monster, and essentially a '2nd Set' - see for yourself: Uncle John's Band->Playin' In The Band->Uncle John's Reprise, Me & My Uncle->Mexicali Blues, Tennessee Jed, Samson & Delilah, Easy To Love You->Althea->Looks Like Rain->Deal This is a fine AUD recording, taped by Rob Eaton of Dark Star Orchestra. (No SBD recordings are known to exist of this show.) I'm watching Nugs.tv broadcast of Dead and Co @ Hollywood Bowl as I type this, Summer Tour '17 is off to a fine start! As always feel free to drop a line @ negdpodcast@gmail.com, 'Like' NEGDPodcast on Facebook and follow @NEGDPodcast on Twitter! Take care of yourselves, see you sometime! Stephen Urbauer

Hiya Folks! Glad to be putting up another podcast! Finally getting around to doing 3/24/70 from Pirate’s World in Dania, FL that Joel and I were talking about on the last ‘cast. This is a unique show – the band is a long ways from home with time on their hands, and according to lore this is where “Truckin’” was written. Check this awesome blog post out for more info on that: https://lostlivedead.blogspot.com/2015/04/march-24-1970-pirates-world-dania-fl.html I found this video of what looks like home movies of Pirate’s World to give you an idea of where they were playing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwRg3vl5XzM This is a short show, certainly by 1970 standards. That doesn’t mean that it’s ‘less than’ however. They manage to pack a whole lot of music into the set, and are clearly on fire. The Show: 3/24/70 Pirate’s World in Dania, FL Don’t Ease Me In, Cold Rain & Snow, High Time, Dark Star->The Other One->St. Stephen->Drums->Not Fade Away->Turn On Your Lovelight->Me & My Uncle As always feel free to reach me at negdpodcast@gmail.com, on Twitter at @NEGDPodcast and on Facebook NE GD Podcast. Thanks for stopping by, see you sometime! Stephen Urbauer

Hiya Folks! This podcast deviates from my normal format to share with you an interview I did with my friend Joel Egger! Apart from being a good friend he is an actor/artist/theater professor with an MFA from CalArts, and he has an interesting perspective on the Grateful Dead experience that I thought would be interesting to share with you! A little history - Joel is the reason this podcast exists! (If you've listened to back 'casts you've probably heard me mention his name.) A couple years ago Joel started a longer commute for his teaching work, and he was wishing I could ride with him just to talk GD - and that's where the idea to make this podcast came from. I started doing it just so he would have something to listen to in the car - and lo and behold other people started listening too! That's been really cool to see, and to be a part of - so thanks for listnening! So - if you're a regular listener or are just finding this podcast I hope you'll take the time to listen to this conversation, we both had a blast doing it! Joel's Twitter handle is @joelegger if you want to say Hey. As an extention of our conversation I added the 'Mountains of the Moon' Furthur did on 2/23/13 in Broomfield, CO. As always - feel free to reach me via email @ negdpodcast@gmail.com, on Twitter @NEGDPodcast and also Facebook NEGDPodcast. Next up will be the music we had started talking actually playing here - 3/24/70 from Dania, FL, I'll get that up soon! Thanks - and see you sometime! Stephen Urbauer

Hiya Everyone! OK - First Thing: I realized as I was making this podcast that the file sizes on my last few ones were Huge! Much larger than needed to be, so my apologies for that! This one's file size is much more reasonable, with no discernable loss in fidelity. (As always - for best fidelity see bt.etree.org, archive.org or any other site for your .flac files!) So - with that done, on with the show! I'm not necesarily feeling better about 'things', but am deciding to handle them a little differently! Let's get on with some music, shall we? The Show: 1988-03-28 Hampton Colesium in Hampton, VA Feel Like A Stranger->Franklin's Tower, "We Want Phil"/Box of Rain, Touch of Grey->Man Smart, Woman Smarter, Ship of Fools, Truckin'->The Other One->Stella Blue>Throwin' Stones->Not Fade Away, The Mighty Quinn This is a rousing good time from a year that I admittedly have never really paid much attention to. I'd like to thank YouTuber Voodoonola for upping a really great video of the 2nd set of this show: https://youtu.be/mzEzujbH_Fg I watched most of it and had a great time. The band is clearly enjoying themselves, and it shows! As always feel free to reach me at negdpodcast@gmail.com, on Twitter at @NEGDPodcast and on Facebook NE GD Podcast. Thanks for stopping by, see you sometime! Stephen Urbauer

Hiya Folks! How's everyone doing? You Good? Man - what a month for America! Still trying to wrap my mind around what's going on, so I thought I'd focus on something good - Summer 1991 Grateful Dead! This is a barnburner of a show, lots of energy - and some of my favorite readings of songs. Jack Straw and The Music Never Stopped in particular are rippin'! (Play Loud.) Setlist: Grateful Dead 6/25/1991 Sandstone Amphitheater Bonner Springs, KS Jack Straw->Sugaree, Walkin' Blues, Tennesee Jed->The Music Never Stopped, Truckin'->Smokestack Lightnin'->He's Gone->Comes A Time->Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad->Good Lovin' Thanks for stopping by! Feel free to reach out at negdpodcast@gmail.com, Twitter @NEGDPodcast and also on Facebook! See you sometime! Stephen Urbauer

Hiya Folks! "Well Hello There - my, it's been a long long time..." Good to be back after a long absence! 2017 is off to an inauspicious start here in the good ol' USofA - so what better way to get going than with some Good Ol' Grateful Dead! This is a unique performace in that it was a multi-act bill put together by Joan Baez to benefit refugees from Cambodia fleeing from the Khmer Rouge/Vietnamese violence happening there. The band plays a truncated show, which is played here in its entirety, plus 'Amazing Grace' led by Joan Baez and with members of the other groups on the bill to close things out. The Show: 1/13/80 Oakland Coliseum Arena - Oakland, CA Jack Straw->Franklin's Tower, Minglewood Blues, Tennessee Jed->Looks Like Rain->Don't Ease Me In, Playin' in the Band->Drums->Not Fade Away->Sugar Magnolia, U.S. Blues, Amazing Grace Jack Straw starts off a little rough technically and otherwise - but they pull it together soon enough! Thanks to all for listening - time to get back Truckin' on! Peace. Stephen Urbauer

Well Hello There - my it's been long, long time... About 5 months by my count, nice to be back! Podcast 24 features music from 2/27/77 - the day after the Swing Auditorium show w/ the first Terrapin and first Estimated Prophet. (For more on that, see Podcast #6!) This is a really fine AUD recording, and a 'reel' good time! The Show: Intro->Comments->Mississippi 1/2 Step, Scarlet Begonias, St. Stephen->Not Fade Away->Drums->Terrapin Station->Morning Dew->Sugar Magnolia->Closing Comments->Outro Please feel free to leave comments/criticisms/concerns etc at negdpodcast@gmail.com, 'Like' on Facebook (NE GD Podcast) and Follow on Twitter (@NEGDPodcast). Thanks for stopping in, see you sometime! Stephen Urbauer

Hiya Folks - thanks for stopping by! Podcast 23 features Vince Welnick's first show solo after Bruce Hornsby's departure from the band. This is a surprisingly solid outing from a band that is - once again - trying to figure out how to do whatever it is they do again. I realize that Vince is probably the least-popular of all of the GD keyboard players, but don't pass this by. The 'Black Peter' alone is worth checking out - it's one for the ages. The Show: Intro->Comments, Cold Rain and Snow, Queen Jane Approximately, China Cat Sunflower->I Know You Rider->Looks Like Rain...,...Black Peter->Sugar Magnolia, Baba O'Reilly->Tomorrow Never Knows, Comments->Outro Please feel free to say "hi" or comment via email at negdpodcast@gmail.com, 'Like' on Facebook (NE GD Podcast) and Follow on Twitter (@NEGDPodcast). Thanks for stopping by, see you sometime! Stephen Urbauer

Hiya Folks! This is the first podcast after coming back from Chicago - never had such a good time! The Music: Grateful Dead September 4, 1991 Richfield Coliseum - Richfield, OH This show is from a three-night run that kicked off the Fall 1991 East Coast Tour - and it finds The Boys in fine shape, and in good spirits! I've made this a 'rock and roll' episode - the highlight is the Scarlet->Fire pulled from the 2nd set. It is energetic and long, with lots of innovative playing from all. Intro/Comments, Let The Good Times Roll, Jack Straw, Friend of the Devil, Black-Throated Wind, Scarlet Begonias->Fire on the Mountain, Cold Rain & Snow->Promised Land This is some really great '91 Dead! As always - feel free to comment/say Hi via email at negdpodcast@gmail.com, 'Like' on Facebook at NEGDPodcast and follow on Twitter @NEGDPodcast. Thanks for stopping by, see you sometime! Stephen Urbauer

Hiya Folks! Sorry I've been offline - glad to be back!! This episode features the last part of 1/22/78 from McArthur Court in Eugene, OR. It's a blistering performance, featuring a shout-out/nod from Garcia at the end of 'The Other One' to the recently released movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind". He's obviously a fan. That aside, I hope you can turn this one up really (REALLY!) loud! This Show: Intro/Comments, The Other One->'Close Encounters'->St. Stephen->Not Fade Away->Around and Around, Comments/Outro UPDATE: This show formally released as a Dave's Picks - #23 on 8/1/17 - check it out! Please email at negdpodcast@gmail.com, follow on Twitter @NEGDPodcast and 'Like' on Facebook - NE GD Podcast. Thanks for stopping by - see you sometime! Stephen Urbauer

Hiya Folks! This episode of the podcast is all about a two song opener - the beloved one-two punch of Bertha and Jack Straw. Phil is playing with a level of focus and aggressiveness that while not unheard of - is certainly coming from a place that is anything other than apathetic. I've you've heard this before you know what I'm talking about, if not - get ready to get pummeled, and then have a good laugh! The show: Intro/Comments->Bertha, Jack Straw, "I'd like to tell you something", Dire Wolf, Wang Dang Doodle, Row Jimmy, Picasso Moon, Tennessee Jed, Promised Land, Comments/Outro As always - feel free to email me at negdpodcast@gmail.com, 'Like' on Facebook (NE GD Podcast) and follow on Twitter (@NEGDPodcast). Thanks for listening, and see you sometime! Stephen Urbauer

Hiya Folks! Thanks for stopping by. This episode features music from 3/23/72 at the Academy of Music in New York City, New York. This is the 2nd night of a 6 night run at the venue, a little warm-up for / preview of the upcoming tour of Europe that would start shortly after. The band is rarin' to go, and it shows here! The music: Intro/Comments, China Cat Sunflower->I Know You Rider, Chinatown Shuffle, Brown-Eyed Women, Beat It On Down The Line, Next Time You See Me, Dark Star, Big Boss Man, Not Fade Away->Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad->Not Fade Away Reprise, Comments/Outro The 'stand-alone' Dark Star is really something, stick around for it. As always - feel free to contact me via email at negdpodcast@gmail.com, on Facebook (NE GD Podcast) and Twitter (#NEGDPodcast). Thanks for listening, see you sometime! Stephen Urbauer

Hiya Folks! Thanks for stopping in! This episode features music from January, 1969 from the Avalon Ballroom in San Fransisco, CA. Specifically the 25th and 26th. The 26th had some music that ended up on Live/Dead (The Eleven->Lovelight) - so you know these were smokin' shows! Much has been written and said about the Dead in '69, there are those who believe that they really weren't worth a damn after this year. I don't agree entirely, but they have a point. Here's the show: Intro/Comments->That's It For the Other One (1/26/69)->Cosmic Charlie->Alligator->Drums->Alligator->Caution (Do Not Stop on the Tracks)->Feedback->We Bid You Goodnight (1/25/69), Comments/Outro As always - feel free to contact me via email at negdpodcast@gmail.com, on Facebook (NE GD Podcast) and Twitter (#NEGDPodcast). Thanks for listening, see you sometime! Stephen Urbauer

Hiya Folks! This edition of the NE GD Podcast features 11/29/80 from Gainesville, FL. This is an excellent Audience recording, and a rockin' good time of a show! The Music: (Intro/Comments), Alabama Getaway->Promised Land, Candyman, Lost Sailor->St. of Circumstance, He's Gone->Truckin'->Stella Blue->Good Lovin', Casey Jones (Comments/Outro) As always - please feel free to contact me at negdpodcast@gmail.com, follow on Facebook (NE GD Podcast) and Twitter (#NEGDPodcast). Thanks for listening, see you sometime! Stephen Urbauer

Hiya Folks! This episode features the 2nd set of 10/9/76 from the Oakland Coliseum Stadium in Oakland, CA. It's not an 'intentional' thing that I'm presenting another show from that stadium, or that it takes place during/for one of Bill Graham's "Day on the Green" shows - it's just the way it worked out! This is a beast of a show! In a year known for laid-back performances - they boys bring the muscle on this one. My theory is that it's due to the fact that they're sharing the bill with The Who and don't like to be outdone. I particularly enjoy the 'Not Fade Away' this time around - it makes for an interesting contrast with, say, 5/8/77. Whereas that show/tour is pretty 'polished' and tight - the drummers are basically unhinged here, and it's fantastic! The Music: (Intro/Comments) St. Stephen->Not Fade Away->St. Stephen->Help on the Way->Slipknot!->Drums->Samson & Delilah->Slipknot->Franklin's Tower->One More Saturday Night (Comments/Outro) As always feel free to 'stop in and say Hi' via email at negdpodcast@gmail.com, follow on Facebook (NE GD Podcast) and Twitter (#NEGDPodcast)! Thanks for stopping in, see you sometime! Stephen Urbauer

Hiya Folks! Thanks for stopping in. This podcast features 12/4/71 from the Felt Forum in New York City. The Felt Forum is actually a smaller theater inside Madison Square Garden, so this run starts the band's long-running relationship with that venue. This is Keith's 2nd major tour with the band, prior to Donna joining. Pigpen also returns to the road, after taking the late summer/fall off. The show: (Intro/Comments), Mr. Charlie, Tennessee Jed, Run Rudolph Run, ...Cumberland Blues (fades in, cut on tape), Me & My Uncle->The Other One->Mexicali Blues->The Other One->Wharf Rat, Johnny B. Goode (comments/Outro) This is a fine-sounding soundboard straight from the master reel, thanks again (and as always) to Charlie Miller! Please follow/Like on Facebook (NE GD Podcast), follow on Twitter (#NEGDPodcast) or email at negdpodcast@gmail.com. Thanks again, see you next time! Stephen Urbauer

Hiya Folks! This episode features some really fine 5-piece Grateful Dead, stripped down - lean and mean! April 17, 1971 - Princeton University in Princeton, NJ. This is a band that is going through some pretty heavy changes. Mickey Hart left the band in February, and they were still crawling out from under some pretty serious financial strain. Their touring schedule had been relentless in '69 and '70 - around 140 shows each year, in '71 they played 82 concerts. The fall of '71 would bring Keith Godchaux on board to play piano and that would begin a completely new era of GD, but for now the band is: Jerry Garcia - Guitar/Vocals Bob Weir - Guitar/Vocals Billy Kreutzmann - Drums Phil Lesh - Bass/Vocals Ron 'Pigpen' McKernan - Organ/Vocals/Harmonica I think it's important to listen to some of the music from this time period. They are clearly 'coming back down to Earth' a bit and re-grouping, which is great! This is a very 'stripped down' band on a lot of levels. They're not playing avant garde/psychedelia. No 11/7 time signatures. There are no harpsichords on stage. (Or gongs.) This is rootin' tootin' shoot 'em up gunslingin' bar fightin' Grateful Goddamn Dead! The Music: (Intro/comments) Truckin', Big Railroad Blues, Mama Tried, Casey Jones, Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad->Turn On Your Lovelight (comments/outro) Please feel free to contact me at negdpodcast@gmail.com, Facebook (NE GD Podcast) and Twitter (#NEGDPodcast) Thanks for tuning in, see you sometime! Stephen Urbauer

Hiya Folks! So, it's rock and roll time here at the podcast! Spring tour '90 was one of the greats - this two-night stand in Hartford has always seemed a little 'under the radar', but it's a rockin' good time! Hartford must loves them some Dead, because the Boys come out with both barrels blazin'! I'm playing the 2nd set from 3/19, here are the tunes: Box of Rain->Foolish Heart->Playin' in the Band->Eyes of the World...Space->China Doll->Gimme Some Lovin'->Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad->Around and Around, E) Brokedown Palace This is a fine AUD recording. There are good SBD's and MTX's on the Archive, be sure to check them out - I 'grew up' on a FM SBD of this show, this AUD is clear/punchy and really captures the ambiance well. If you like Phil Lesh - this is Your Show! His playing is fantastic, be sure to check out the first jam/solo during Foolish Heart - some of the finest Phil I've ever heard. This 2nd set is pretty straight-ahead, even the Playin' jam is right to the point. There's lots of MIDI stuff happening here, the boys are clearly having a good time with that - and in general. Please stop in and say Hi at negdpodcast@gmail.com, Facebook (NE GD Podcast) and Twitter (@NEGDPodcast). See you sometime, thanks for listening! Stephen Urbauer

Hiya Folks! This installment features portions of 10/16/81 from the Melk Weg ('Milky Way') Club in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The band was on tour in Europe at the time - on the 11th Bob and Jerry played an acoustic show here, then went and played a few GD shows in Germany, then the band came back to the Melk Weg on 10/15 and 10/16. The 16th was Bob Weir's 34th birthday party, and it certainly seems like it was an occasion! They're playing mostly on borrowed/rented gear, the only member that had their usual instrument was Phil, who brought his regular axe with him. This night they also played an acoustic set, which was not a regular part of their shows at all at this time. Setlist for the podcast: Acoustic Set: Monkey and the Engineer->Bird Song Comments Electric Set: Gloria->Turn On Your Lovelight->Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad->Playin' Reprise->Black Peter->Sugar Magnolia This was the first Bob Weir/Post-Pigpen "Lovelight". There is fine video of this show up on YouTube, check it out when you can! Thanks to Hunter Seamons for putting the Matrix together, and to Charlie Miller for the source tapes. As always please feel free to comment/say Hi via email (negdpodcast@gmail.com), Facebook (NE GD Podcast) and Twitter (@negdpodcast). Thanks for listening, catch you next time! Stephen Urbauer