The Deadpod J.Henrikson

This week we go to the wonderful Greek Theater in Berkeley California for the band's performance on May 21, 1982. I think this was one of the better years in terms of the band's history and this is not only a fine recording but a well-played set that I'm sure you'll enjoy. 
The first set starts with a 'Bertha>Greatest Story' combo, one that was fairly new at the time. Jerry slows it down with a 'Friend of the Devil' but the 'Uncle'>'Big River' that follows benefits greatly from his nimble guitar. A nice 'Bird Song' flows into Bobby's 'CC Rider', then we have an excellent 'Althea', not only is Jerry in fine voice, but his delivery is just exactly perfect. Bob delivers a nice 'Looks like Rain' and they close with a boppin' 'Might as Well'. 
 
 
Grateful Dead
Greek Theatre - University of California
Berkeley, CA 5/21/1982 - Friday

One    

Bertha [6:35] >
Greatest Story Ever Told [3:50]
Friend Of The Devil [8:44]
Me And My Uncle [2:55] >
Big River [5:09]
Bird Song [10:45] >
C C Rider [7:27]
Althea [7:47]
Looks Like Rain [7:35]
Might As Well [4:01]  
You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:
http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod051024.mp3
Thank you friends for listening and for your kind support. 

This week's Deadpod takes us back to Irvine California for the second set of the show from April 23, 1988.
This second set is well-executed, tight yet containing several delightful spacey interludes. The opening 'Playin In the Band', while short, is quite interesting and gives way to an excellent 'Crazy Fingers'. That leads into 'Uncle John's Band', afterwards the band goes into a rather extended Drums and Space, whcih are quite high powered and interesting. 
Post-Drums highlights include a powerful 'Going Down the Road' and an  excellent 'Dear Mr. Fantasy> Hey Jude reprise'. Jerry's ballad slot gives us a sweet 'Stella Blue' and they close the set with a nice 'Lovelight'. A 'Knockin' On Heaven's Door' encore ends the festivities. 
 
Grateful Dead
Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre
Irvine , CA
4/23/1988 - Saturday

Two    
Playing In The Band [7:38] >
Crazy Fingers [8:04] >
Uncle John's Band [8:39] >
Drums [10:05] >
Space [13:09] >
Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad [6:02] >
I Need A Miracle [3:32] >
Dear Mr. Fantasy [5:14] >
Hey Jude Reprise [1:27] >
Stella Blue [8:07] >
Turn On Your Love Light [5:32]
Encore    
Knockin' On Heaven's Door  
You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 
http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod050324.mp3



 
Sorry - no 'The Race is On' this year, but nevertheless I hope you have a wonderful Derby weekend .. May is a month worth celebrating and enjoying...

This week's Deadpod takes us to sunny California where we will get to hear a nice show from the spring of 1988. This one comes from April 23 at Irvine Meadows. 
The boys open with a fine 'Hell In a Bucket' with Weir in full voice. 'Cold Rain and Snow' follows, then we get the first of several fun little interlude before a great version of 'Hey Pockey Way' with Brent doing a fine version. 
Since they are in Cali, Jerry breaks out a 'West L.A. Fadeaway'. 'Me & My Uncle>Big River' follows, then an excellent 'To Lay Me Down'. 'Cassidy' into 'Don't Ease' closes set 1. 
I have chosen to feature a fine audience recording of this set which really captures the energy of the day.. I hope you agree! 
 
 
Grateful Dead
Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre
Irvine , CA
4/23/1988 - Saturday

One    

Hell In A Bucket
Cold Rain & Snow
Hey Pocky Away  
West L.A. Fadeaway
Funiculi Funicula Tuning
Beer Barrel Polka Tuning
Me And My Uncle
Big River
To Lay Me Down
Cassidy
Don't Ease Me In 
You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 
http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod042624.mp3
"Feel good music in your soul
Makes your body wanna rock 'n' roll"

 
This week we will hear the second set of the band's performance on April 4, 1993 at the Nassau Coliseum. 
A short but tight 'Eyes of the World' opens up the second set, going into 'Samson and Delilah'. One of the highlights of this set follows, a fine version of Phil singing 'Broken Arrow'. Phil does an excellent job with this Robbie Robertson tune here. A nice 'Estimated Prophet leads into a fine Drums and Space, helped by the guest appearance of Boba Olatunji. 
A nice but short 'Other One' follows out of Space, leading into a rare 'Attics of My Life' before the boys go into the familiar 'Throwing Stones>Not Fade Away' to end the set. 
Jerry does a most excellent version of 'Liberty' as the encore to finish what was quite a good show.

 
Grateful Dead
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Uniondale, NY 4/4/1993 - Sunday

Two    

Eyes Of The World >
Samson And Delilah
Broken Arrow
Estimated Prophet >
Drums (1) >
Space (1) >
The Other One >
Attics Of My Life >
Throwing Stones >
Not Fade Away

Encore    
Liberty
Comments     (1) with Boba Olatunji 
You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:
http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod041924.mp3
Thank you so much for your kind support. 

This week on the Deadpod we have a very nice latter day show from Spring 1993. This comes to us from the Nassau Coliseum on April 4, 1993, and it is a Sunday night show. 
Some of the highlights of the first set include a very nice Sugaree (Jerry's voice is a bit frail at times but he carries it off the entire show). 'When I Paint My Masterpiece' is always welcome in my book. Jerry does an excellent version of 'So Many Roads' and the 'Bird Song' after 'Eternity' is a sweet way to wind up the first set. 
 
Grateful Dead
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Uniondale, NY 4/4/1993 - Sunday

One    

In The Midnight Hour  
Sugaree >
Walkin' Blues  
Dire Wolf  
When I Paint My Masterpiece  
So Many Roads  
Eternity >
Bird Song 
You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 
http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod041224.mp3
"So many roads, I tell you
New York to San Francisco
So many roads I know
All I want is one to take me home"
 

We roll into April, and the prelude to the big Solar Eclipse, we get to hear a wonderful second set from the Grateful Dead's performance on Sunday, March 30, 1980 in Passaic New Jersey. 
While the setlist might look anything but innovative, the playing on these great classic tunes is anything but pedestrian. The entire pre-drums is full of some wonderful ensemble moments punctuated with some great Garcia solos. In particular, I'm fond of this 'Fire on the Mountain' and 'Eyes of the World' bu Weir's vocals on 'Estimated' are something else as well. 
Post-drums, the 'Black Peter' is quite soulful and the encore, 'U.S. Blues' was highlighted by an appearance on stage of John Belushi sticking a cartwheel on stage and grabbing a mic for a 'wave that flag' with the band... fun! 
 
 
Grateful Dead
Capitol Theatre
Passaic, NJ 3/30/1980 - Sunday    

Two    

Scarlet Begonias [8:28] >
Fire On The Mountain [9:00]
Estimated Prophet [11:04] >
Eyes Of The World [10:50] >
Space [4:24] >
Drums [6:#00] >
Black Peter [10:34] >
Sugar Magnolia [7:54]

Encore    
U.S. Blues [5:38]  
You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 
http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod040524.mp3
Of course, if you're looking up here in the Midwest Monday afternoon, be sure and wear those special shades ;)