With the passing of Phil Lesh I decided to bring you a complete Phil & Friends show from the last time I was lucky enough to see him - March 12, 2023 in Chicago. I really enjoyed the show and hope you dig it.

Words can't express what the man meant to the Dead or the scene. We were lucky to have been able to be in his presence from time to time.

I know this makes a longer Deadpod than usual, hope it doesn't mess anything up for you.

Phil Lesh And Friends
The Salt Shed
Chicago, Illinois
3/12/2023

1st Set

Jam >
Sunshine Of Your Love >
Deep Elem Blues
Bertha
He's Gone >
Pride Of Cucamunga
Cassidy
Sugaree

2nd Set

Jam >
Low Spark Of High-Heeled Boys >
Scarlet Begonias >
Mountains Of The Moon
Uncle John's Band
Eyes Of The World
The Wheel
Shakedown Street

Encore:

Phil Banter
Band Introductions
Rock Steady

Phil Lesh - Bass And Vocals
Warren Haynes - Guitar And Vocals
Grahame Lesh - Guitar And Vocals
Jason Crosby - Keyboards And Vocals
Natalie Cressman - Trombone And Vocals
Jennifer Hartswick - Trumpet And Vocals
James Casey - Saxophone And Vocals
John Molo - Drums

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod110124.mp3

This week's Deadpod features the second set from the band's performance at the Charlotte Coliseum in
Charlotte, NC on October 10, 1989.

A good example, I think, of why this was a high water mark in the band's performance history, this second set showcases their ability to improvise both in spots intended and unintended.

The latter I think, is shown in the opening 'Blow Away', which despite some forgotten lyrics and miscues turns into a fine opening number. The jamming in the 'Help>Slip>Frank', especially out of Franklins' and into a fine drums, is an example of some more expected, but nevertheless, successful creativity.

Lastly I have to point out how good 'Not Fade Away is here.. far from being mailed in...

Grateful Dead
Charlotte Coliseum
Charlotte, NC
10/22/1989 - Sunday

Two
Blow Away [10:00]
Samson And Delilah [6:20]
Help On The Way [3:44] >
Slipknot! [6:33] >
Franklin's Tower [9:40] >
Jam [7:#17] >
Drums [5:55] >
Space [8:43] >
I Need A Miracle [4:04] >
Stella Blue [8:36] >
Throwing Stones [9:11] >
Not Fade Away [7:51#]

Encore
Black Muddy River [5:53]

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod102524.mp3

Again, thanks for your well wishes and patience with my (typing) brevity!

Howdy! I figured it was about time to get back in the saddle and get another Deadpod out to my wonderful audience..

First off thanks for your kind get well wishes! They all have meant so much..forgive me for not answering each of them, but I'm having some serious trouble typing with alot of numbness in my right hand since my operation..

This week I thought it appropriate to listen to a fine show from the great state of North Carolina, I could only wish that I could help the folks there who have been ravaged by the terrible storms..

This is a well played show from the fall of '89.. a nice Foolish Heart starts things, and frankly I enjoyed every song in this first set. The highlight might be 'Bird Song' where Jerry uses a number of ineresting MIDI effects...

The Johnny B Goode encore is also a nice touch..

Grateful Dead
Charlotte Coliseum
Charlotte, NC
10/22/1989 - Sunday

One

Foolish Heart [8:03]
New Minglewood Blues [7:28]
Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo [5:56]
Queen Jane Approximately [6:00]
Ramble On Rose [6:47]
Beat It On Down The Line [3:13]
Bird Song [14:12]
Johnny B. Goode [3:55]

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod101824.mp3

Again thank you for your patience and your kindness..

This week the Deadpod travels to January of 1980 for an unusual benefit show that the Dead appeared at for Cambodian refugees in Oakland, along with Jefferson Starship, the Beach Boys and Carlos Santana and John Cippolina.

This is a tight and well played set throughout. The opening 'Jack Straw' into 'Franklin's Tower' is crisp and edgy. 'Minglewood' is a standout as well. I really enjoy all of these, but the 'Playin' is probably the highlight, although the Santana solo in 'Not Fade Away' is a treat as well; its interesting to hear these three great guitarists playing together..

Grateful Dead
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
Oakland, CA 1/13/1980 - Sunday

One

Jack Straw [5:42] >
Franklin's Tower [11:44]
New Minglewood Blues [6:56]
Tennessee Jed [8:21] >
Looks Like Rain [7:12] >
Don't Ease Me In [7:16]
Playing In The Band [10:41] >
Drums [7:15] >
Not Fade Away (1) [14:27] >
Sugar Magnolia (1) [7:30]

Encore
U.S. Blues [#4:18]
Comments Cambodian Refugee Benefit.
(1) with Carlos Santana and John Cippolina.

It is with some sadness that I have to announce that this will be the last Deadpod for some time... I'm scheduled for open heart surgery next week and I'm not sure when I'll be able to be back here sharing these great songs with you. Don't give up on me as I don't plan to give up.. I'll be back as soon as I am able but in the meantime I'd encourage you to listen to some of the old Deadpods - the entire run is still available..

Keep your light on and thanks my friends for all of your support and for listening..

A fine second set awaits you on this week's Deadpod as we explore the second set from the band's performance at the Cumberland Coutny civic Center in Portland Maine on September 17, 1982.

This is a matrix recording - but the first two songs are a mix of several audience sources as the soundboard for those doesn't seem to exist.. 'Touch of Grey' and 'Man Smart, Woman Smarter' are played uptempo and crisply..Their followed by a beautiful rendition of 'High Time'; Jerry's emotive vocals just hint at how expressive this set will be.

'Estimated' follows, then a delicate 'Eyes of the World'. Following drums and space Weir teases a Spanish Jam but they eventual let Phil take the helm and lead them into the powerful 'Other One' intro.. the crowd loves it and when they finish and go into 'Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad' there is a fair amount of sing along..

The highlight of the set in my opinion is the tremendous version of 'Morning Dew' that follows.. Jerry is at his most expressive here.. words won't do it justice.

A fine 'Sugar Magnolia' closes the set and a 'US Blues' encore caps the evening...

Grateful Dead
Cumberland County Civic Center
Portland, ME 9/17/1982 - Friday

Two

Touch Of Grey [6:33] >
Man Smart (Woman Smarter) [5:46] ;
High Time [7:16] ;
Estimated Prophet [12:27] >
Eyes Of The World [8:53] >
Drums >
Space [3:58] >
The Other One [10:56] >
Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad [5:37] >
Morning Dew [8:52] >
Sugar Magnolia [8:43]

Encore
U.S. Blues [4:58]

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod091324.mp3

May the music lift you up .. thanks for your kind support.

Hey Now! This week the Deadpod takes us to Portland Maine, for a show that took place at the Cumberland County Civic Center on September 17, 1982.

This 12 song first set is a concise reading of many of their standards. Brent and Phil are upfront in the mix and overall I find these quite enjoyable. There is a false start in 'Me & My Uncle' which is quite unusual, and we have 'Dupree's' 2 weeks in a row- I'm sure that's a Deadpod record ;)

Grateful Dead
Cumberland County Civic Center
Portland, ME 9/17/1982 - Friday

One
Bertha [6:25] >
The Promised Land [4:02]
Candyman [6:31] >
C C Rider [8:16]
Althea [7:47]
Me And My Uncle [3:15] >
Big River [5:36]
Dupree's Diamond Blues [5:48]
It's All Over Now [7:04]
West L.A. Fadeaway [7:35]
Throwing Stones [5:40] >
Deal [5:43]

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod090624.mp3

Many thanks for your kind support!

Holy Smokes! It's Labor Day weekend!

Hopefully this second set from the second Field Trip at the Oregon Country Fairgrounds can help you get in the mood for some fun and frolic as we celebrate the passing of another summer...

This one starts with the debut of 'Keep Your Day Job' -- and not in the encore slot! Another debut - 'West LA Fadeaway' is also on the menu here. The pre-drums 'Playin In the Band' lifts things up while the post drums 'Wheel'>'Other One' is probably the highlight of this set..

Jerry pulls out a very unusual 'Dupree's Diamond Blues' as the encore here which I'm sure delighted the faithful..

Grateful Dead
Oregon Country Fairgrounds
Veneta, OR 8/28/1982 - Saturday

Two

Keep Your Day Job [5:06]* >
Man Smart (Woman Smarter) [6:42]
West L.A. Fadeaway [7:03]*
Far From Me [3:34] >
Playing In The Band [11:03] >
Drums >
Space [5:56] >
The Wheel [5:50] >
The Other One [8:04] >
Truckin' [6:11] >
Black Peter [8:23] >
Playing In The Band [3:18] >
One More Saturday Night [4:33]

Encore
Dupree's Diamond Blues [5:48]
*First time played

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here;

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod083024.mp3

On a very sad note, this one is dedicated to the memory of Steve Silberman who just passed .. sleep in the stars brother....

This week's Deadpod features the second 'Field Trip' at the Oregon Country Fairgrounds in Veneta Oregon on August 28,1982.

While not as famous, or as monumental, as the first Field Trip immortalized in the 'Sunshine Daydream' movie, this show has plenty of stellar moments and is certainly worthy of a listen.

While the first set is not as packed with jaw-dropping moments as parts of set 2, there are plenty of interesting moments here. Brent and Jerry are both in fine form throughout. You can certainly tell when the boys get it all together here at the end of the set, with a wonderful 'China>Rider'.Just as in the first field trip, this combo gets everyone shakin' their bones and the band seems to hit the X factor here.

Grateful Dead
Oregon Country Fairgrounds
Veneta, OR 8/28/1982 - Saturday

One
Bertha >
New Minglewood Blues
Tennessee Jed
Me And My Uncle >
Big River
Althea
It's All Over Now
China Cat Sunflower >
I Know You Rider

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod082324.mp3

be well and look out for each other....

my thanks for your kind support..