Dead Show/podcast for 2/27/26

This week on the Deadpod we continue with the second set from the Grateful Dead's October 20, 1989 show at the Spectrum in Philadelphia. As you listen to this expansive set, you'll quickly hear how Brent was at the top of his game during this period. His keyboards and MIDI work really bring these songs to life. The highlight, in my opinion, is the "Other One Jam" out of "Truckin'." It's nearly 15 minutes of Brent and Jerry stretching out on "The Other One" theme, and DeadBase lists it as the band's first "Other One Jam" since 1975. From there the music flows into "Drums" and "Space," then into Brent's ballad "I Will Take You Home," before the band comes back to "The Other One" with a vengeance. This is the Grateful Dead at their most adventurous. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Grateful Dead The Spectrum Philadelphia, PA 10/20/1989 - Friday Two Hey Pocky Way [6:48] Scarlet Begonias [10:03] > Fire On The Mountain [13:44] Truckin' [7:07] > The Other One Jam [14:33] > Drums [10:35] > Space [10:48] > I Will Take You Home [5:06] > The Other One [11:11] > Wharf Rat [10:26] Sugar Magnolia [5:52] Encore Brokedown Palace [5:46] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod102326.mp3 Be well and thanks for your kind support. Join the Deadpod community on Facebook — share your thoughts, favorite shows, and requests!

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... '