The Deadpod

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

This week's Deadpod features the second show the band played in 1980, this from the Capitol Theater in Passaic New Jersey on March 30, 1980.  Brent is fairly new to the band, and finding his way on some of these tunes.. they open with a relatively new 'Alabama Getaway' which goes into 'Promised Land' for a rockin' start to the evening. 'Cassidy' which follows 'Peggy-O' is a bit rushed, but the 'Loser' that follows is quite good. Brent debuts his 'Far From Me' which still needs some work but shows

This week's Deadpod features set 2 from the St. Patrick's Day show on March 17, 1988 at the Henry Kaiser Convention Center in Oakland CA.  I think you'll find this is a fine, high energy set, with some wonderful highlights, which include a roaring 'Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad' out of Space, and a particularly well done 'Dear Mr. Fantasy>Hey Jude' set closer.  The 'Black Muddy River' encore is very soulful as well.  Enjoy     Grateful Dead Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center Oakland, CA 3/17/1988 -

In honor of the upcoming St. Patrick's Day I decided to bring you a St. Patrick's day Dead concert - this one is from March 17, 1988 at Oakland California.  The first set, which we will hear this week, features a nice opening 'Hell In A Bucket'  into a fine 'Sugaree'. Another highlight is the first 'Memphis Blues' without Bob Dylan. 'Row Jimmy' and a nice 'Let It Grow' finishes the first set. I'll bring you the second set next week..

Here is the second set from the band's performance on March 3, 1981 at the beautiful Music Hall in Cleveland Ohio.  They open with 'China Cat', while Garcia flubs the first verse, he makes up for it with a fine transition into Rider. A rockin 'Samson and Delilah' follows and then a long 'He's Gone'. The Drums section is particularly potent here, leading not into a long Space but instead into a 'Sailor>Saint' combo. The 'Black Peter' that follows is very soulful indeed. They close the set with 'Good

I think this week's Deadpod brings March in both as a lion and a lamb = this first set from Cleveland on March 3, 1981 has some great rockin' tunes and some sweet ballads to please the most discerning Deadhead.  Don't be put off by the start of 'Feel Like a Stranger' - the audience patch only lasts for a short bit - the rest of this tape is a fine sounding soundboard in which you can hear the interplay between the members most clearly.  A sweet 'Peggy O' follows then a fine 'Me & My Uncle' into