Show Notes
On this sweltering Fourth of July weekend, I've decided to travel back to another sweltering Fourth—July 4, 1990 at Sandstone Amphitheatre in Bonner Springs, Kansas. With temperatures well over 100 at showtime and no roof over the seating area, this was probably the hottest showtime I'd ever experienced. For me, it was a deeply memorable night: not only the last time I'd see Brent before his tragic passing, but also a show with some killer versions of classic songs.
The first set, which we'll hear this week, is a bit short—the boys were getting scorched with the sun shining directly on them, Jerry in shorts and all—but there are some great highlights, starting with the ironically appropriate opener, "Cold Rain & Snow." Other standouts include a fine "Half‑Step," a rare "Loose Lucy," and a strong "Loser." And for the setlist nerds among us, it's worth noting that all of Bob's tunes in this first set are covers, from Son House to Dylan to Chuck Berry.
Even with the band and crowd baking in that relentless Kansas sun, there's an energy and focus in this first set that still comes through on the tape. You can hear the band leaning into the songs rather than stretching out, but that only seems to sharpen the edges on "Cold Rain & Snow" and "Half‑Step," and give "Loose Lucy" and "Loser" a little extra punch. I hope you enjoy revisiting this hot, short, and very sweet first set with me this week—and that you'll be back next time when we pick things up after dark for the second set, where "Victim," "Foolish Heart," and a big "Scarlet → Fire" really show what Summer '90 could do.
Grateful Dead Sandstone Amphitheatre Bonner Springs, KS 7/4/1990 - Wednesday
One
Cold Rain & Snow > Walkin' Blues Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodleloo Queen Jane Approximately Loose Lucy It's All Over Now Loser The Promised Land You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod070326.mp3 I hope you have a safe and happy 4th of July! stay hydrated!
More from The Deadpod
This week we travel back to the fall of 1989 for the first set of the Grateful Dead's October 20 show at the Spectrum in Philadelphia—a performance that's been called their longest of the year. This was one of the band's high-water periods, in my opinion, and you can hear the energy and enthusiasm from the first notes of "Touch of Grey." Brent's contributions are a big part of what makes this show so enjoyable, not only on his own "Just a Little Light," but on "Tennessee Jed" as well. Played just three days after the Loma Prieta earthquake, the show also featured the Dead's first performance of Rodney Crowell's "California Earthquake," which closes the first set. Grateful Dead The Spectrum Philadelphia, PA 10/20/1989 - Friday Set One Touch Of Grey [6:19] Greatest Story Ever Told [4:10] Candyman [6:44] Picasso Moon [7:26] Just A Little Light [4:44] Tennessee Jed [8:39] Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again [8:56] Stagger Lee [5:39] The Promised Land [4:27] California Earthquake (Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On) [5:50] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod101626.mp3
This week on the Deadpod we go back 54 years, to October 9, 1972, for the second set of the "benefit for the roadies" at Winterland in San Francisco, CA. It opens with a somewhat amusing, clearly well-lubricated rap from Grace Slick, who was eventually led off the stage by Bill Graham, before the band eases into "He's Gone." The set features some really fine vocals from Garcia and great versions of "Mississippi Half-Step" and "Brokedown Palace." There's also some unique improvisation in "Truckin'" and "The Other One" that I'm sure you'll enjoy. Unfortunately, the set-closing "Casey Jones" is cut off, and the reported "Johnny B. Goode" encore isn't on the tape. Nevertheless, this one earns its place in the pantheon of fine shows from the fall of 1972. Grateful Dead Winterland Arena San Francisco, CA 10/9/1972 - Monday Two Banter (God Is Gonna Understand) [3:13] > He's Gone [11:46] Big River [4:38] Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo [9:32] Greatest Story Ever Told [4:47] Brokedown Palace [5:53] Truckin' [11:36] > The Other One [13:33] Wharf Rat [11:16] Sugar Magnolia [8:33] Casey Jones [1:20] (incomplete, fades out) You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod100926.mp3
This week on the Deadpod we go back to the fall of 1972 for a show at Winterland that was billed as a benefit for the band's road crew. The night is remembered for two things: a brief, unplanned cameo by Grace Slick at the start of the second set, and the first electric performance of the much-loved "Box of Rain," which the band hadn't played since its acoustic debut in September 1970. This episode covers the first set, which is where "Box of Rain" turns up. The fall of '72 was a very busy touring stretch for the band, and one of the high points of a great year. This show features some excellent vocals from Jerry and Bob. Phil, I guess, was warming up for "Box" when he tried to add his own contribution to "Tennessee Jed." I'm glad it didn't scare him off from bringing out "Box of Rain" later in the set. One of several highlights here is the set-closing "Playing In The Band," which, despite being cut at the end, has some wonderful exploration. Grateful Dead Winterland Arena San Francisco, CA 10/9/1972 - Monday One
Here's a fine second set to close out September on the Deadpod. The setlist may look short, but there's plenty of tasteful jamming and exploration to round out a strong selection of classic Dead tunes. Bruce Hornsby is a great addition to a rousing "Samson and Delilah," and "Eyes of the World" gets stretched out nicely for this period in the band's history. After "Saint of Circumstance" there's an interesting little exploration that some have labeled a "Dark Star" jam. I'd take exception to that, but it's still fun to listen to. "Drums" is also quite good, with a lot of MIDI textures, and there's plenty of Phil after drums. For the encore they break out "Attics of My Life," its first appearance since March 1990, a gap of 112 shows. Grateful Dead Madison Square Garden New York, NY 9/8/1991 - Sunday Two Samson and Delilah Eyes of the World Saint of Circumstance > Drums > Space > The Other One > Wharf Rat > Good Lovin' Encore Attics of My Life You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod092526.mp3 'I'll get up and fly away... '
This week on the Deadpod, I'm heading back to one of my favorite September stops: Madison Square Garden in New York City, for the opening night of the band's nine-show run in September 1991. By this point, the post-Brent lineup has had time to settle in, and Bruce Hornsby adds plenty of color to the proceedings. Phil makes his presence felt right from the opening "Touch of Grey," providing a strong melodic foundation throughout the set. While Garcia's vocals sound a little rough at times, his playing is right on the money. Give "Loser" a listen for a good example of both. I really dig the "Big River" > "Maggie's Farm" pairing, too. It's always a treat to hear them trade verses on that Dylan number. "Row Jimmy" and "Let It Grow" round out this week's selection. I hope you enjoy this opening visit to the Garden. Grateful Dead Madison Square Garden New York, NY September 8, 1991 (Sunday) Set One Touch of Grey > Greatest Story Ever Told Loser New Minglewood Blues Candyman Big River > Maggie's Farm Row Jimmy Let It Grow You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod091826.mp3 My thanks for your kind support of the Deadpod