For this Memorial Day weekend edition of the Deadpod, we're traveling to Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, for the Grateful Dead's spring tour stop on May 8, 1981. This is early‑'80s Brent Mydland era, and the band sounds sharp and energized: Jerry's in good voice, Brent's keys add color and bounce, and the rhythm section keeps everything moving with plenty of drive and nuance. In this first installment we feature the opening set, a compact but very satisfying run that opens with "Jack Straw" and "Peggy‑O," moves through "Me and My Uncle," "Big River," "Loser," and "Althea," and builds to a strong "Let It Grow" before closing with "Don't Ease Me In." Next week we'll return to Nassau for the second set, highlighted by a big "Shakedown Street" opener, a deep "Terrapin Station" into "Playin' in the Band" sequence, and a powerful closing stretch that feels just right for the start of summer. I hope you enjoy this slice of May 1981 from Nassau.

Grateful Dead

Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Uniondale, NY 5/8/1981 - Friday One Jack Straw [5:38] ; Peggy-O [6:47] ; Me And My Uncle [2:59] > Big River [5:39] ; Loser [8:05] ; C C Rider [7:49] ; Althea [8:43] > Let It Grow[10:27] > Don't Ease Me In [3:12]

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:

https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod052226.mp3

Have a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend.....

This week on the Deadpod, we travel to Nassau Coliseum on May 14th, 1980, for a second set that finds the Grateful Dead settling confidently into the early Brent Mydland era. The band sounds relaxed yet focused, blending that familiar late‑70s drive with a more expansive, textural approach.

The set opens with the cool, pulsing groove of "Feel Like a Stranger" and flows into a beautifully unhurried "Sugaree," then turns inward with the reflective pairing of "Lost Sailor" and "Saint of Circumstance." From there, the music loosens into space, only to coalesce again around a heartfelt "Comes a Time" and a powerful "Other One" that still crackles with unpredictability.

Things land on more earthbound ground with a tender "Black Peter" and a burst of rock and roll energy to close. It's a spring 1980 Nassau journey that moves like a tide—easy, searching, and full of subtle turns, a fine snapshot of where the band was heading at the dawn of a new decade.

Grateful Dead Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Uniondale, NY 5/14/1980 - Wednesday Two Feel Like A Stranger [8:03] > Sugaree [11:15] > Lost Sailor [6:18] > Saint Of Circumstance [6:01] > Space [2:50] > Comes A Time [8:24] > The Other One [7:37] > Drums [8:45] > Space [3:11] > Black Peter [9:17] > Around And Around [3:57] > Johnny B. Goode [4:09]

Encore

Don't Ease Me In (audience version)

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:

https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod051526.mp3

My thanks for your kind support

The Dead have a long history of great Spring performances, and 1980 was no exception. This week we go to Nassau for the May 14, 1980 show at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. This was the first night of a three‑show run, with the last two nights later compiled on the 2002 "Go To Nassau" release, leaving this opening show as the odd one out from the official catalog. This show comes shortly after the "Go To Heaven" release, so they open with "Alabama Getaway." Jerry gives us a fine reading of "Candyman," and the arrangements on Weir's "country" tunes—"Mexicali Blues" and "El Paso"—are rockin'. "Tennessee Jed" follows, with Brent providing a lovely counterpoint to Garcia's leads. "Let It Grow" then leads into a still‑new "Althea." Another "Go To Heaven" tune follows, Brent's "Easy to Love You," which leads into a rocking, set‑closing "Music Never Stopped." Let's settle in at Nassau Coliseum, May 14, 1980, on this week's Deadpod.

Grateful Dead Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Uniondale, NY 5/14/1980 - Wednesday One Alabama Getaway [4:10] > The Promised Land [4:08] ; Candyman [7:32] ; Mexicali Blues [4:33] > El Paso [4:22] ; Tennessee Jed [9:25] ; Let It Grow [9:00] > Althea [8:15] ; Easy To Love You [3:49] > The Music Never Stopped [7:38]

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:

https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod050826.mp3

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This week's Deadpod takes us back to Pasadena, California, and the Rose Palace on May 10, 1969. This is a fierce, high-energy slice of early Dead, complete with a few rough edges from the road. "Hard To Handle" and "Morning Dew" both run into technical trouble, with the band's frustration coming through loud and clear, but the real centerpiece here is the long psychedelic run from "Dark Star" into "Saint Stephen," "The Eleven," and a nearly half-hour "Turn On Your Love Light." It's primal Dead, unpredictable and powerful, with all the danger and electricity of 1969 still crackling through the tape.

Grateful Dead Rose Palace Pasadena, CA 5/10/1969 - Saturday One Hard To Handle [5:33];[1:05] Me And My Uncle [3:31];[0:57] Morning Dew [8:06] Yellow Dog Story [1:51];[0:23] Doin' That Rag [6:32];[0:31] Dark Star [20:59] > Saint Stephen [6:08] > The Eleven [15:56] > Turn On Your Love Light [29:31]

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:

https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod050126.mp3

This was originally recorded by Bear on an Ampex C90 cassette on a Concord F-400 Cassette Deck

Saturday night in Chi-town brings us a second set that opens with the soon‑to‑be‑released "Touch of Grey," delivered in a tight, confident reading. A funky "Man Smart (Woman Smarter)" follows, with Jerry and Brent locking into some lively interplay that keeps the energy high. "Terrapin Station" then unfolds and the band shows their trademark virtuosity, taking us on a vibrant, narrative‑driven ride. From there they drop into a deep, heavy Drums and Space segment—one of the real highlights of the set—before slamming into a powerful "Truckin'." That sets up the ballad slot, and Jerry turns in an outstanding "Wharf Rat," rich with emotion and dynamic nuance. Bobby then leads the band into "Throwing Stones," complete with some fiery Garcia solos, and "Not Fade Away" closes the set in classic call‑and‑response fashion. The crowd, clearly feeling that extra X‑factor in this post‑drums stretch, keeps the "NFA" chant going until the band returns for a heartfelt and moving "Black Muddy River" encore

Grateful Dead UIC Pavilion - University of Illinois Chicago, IL 4/11/1987 - Saturday Two Touch Of Grey [6:00] > Man Smart (Woman Smarter) [7:39] > Terrapin Station [11:29] > Drums [7:47] > Space [6:48#] > Truckin' [7:14] > Wharf Rat [8:40] > Throwing Stones [8:48] > Not Fade Away [6:18] Encore Not Fade Away [ 0:52] > Black Muddy River [6:16]

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:

https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod042426.mp3

"hold onto the memories, they will hold onto you"

This week's Deadpod takes us to the first Midwestern stop since Garcia's coma, and it seems clear that Jerry is determined to show the fans that he is back and kicking! Following the 'Hell In A Bucket' opener, Jerry delivers a resounding 'Sugaree' with plenty of sparks and flourishes. Bobby's 'New Minglewood Blues is nicely paced - especially brimming with Brent's B3 contributions. The 'Loser' that follows however could well be the highlight of the set - the crowd is really into it and Jerry delivers a masterful reading. Brent's 'Tons of Steel' follows - Brent gives this track a real emotional reading. Bobby next takes us to 'Desolation Row' - somehow remembering all those verses. Jerry ramps it up again with a strong 'Big Railroad Blues' and the ensemble delivers a resounding 'Music Never Stopped' to close this first set.

Grateful Dead UIC Pavilion - University of Illinois Chicago, IL 4/11/1987 - Saturday One Hell In A Bucket [5:55] > Sugaree [9:27] New Minglewood Blues (1) [6:54] Loser [7:02] Tons Of Steel [5:08] Desolation Row [10:25] Big Railroad Blues [4:29] The Music Never Stopped [7:18]

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:

https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod041726.mp3

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They open with a bouncy "Man Smart (Woman Smarter)" before Jerry brings out one of his more poignant ballads, "To Lay Me Down." The introspective mood continues as Bobby rolls into "Lost Sailor," but things pick up speed as he moves into "Saint of Circumstance." Drums and Space follows, slowly building momentum until Phil drops a huge bass bomb leading into "The Other One" — the jamming, psychedelic rendition here is the highlight of the set. They then drift into the haunting "Stella Blue" before "Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad" carries us toward the close, punctuated by a high-energy "Satisfaction" led by Bobby and Brent Mydland. The "Brokedown Palace" encore is always a favorite sendoff.

Grateful Dead Community War Memorial Auditorium Rochester, NY 4/9/1982 - Friday Two Man Smart (Woman Smarter) [6:54] ; To Lay Me Down [9:00] ; Lost Sailor [6:21] > Saint Of Circumstance [7:19] > Drums [2:34#] > Space [7:28] > The Other One [7:08] > Stella Blue [7:32] > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad [6:11] > (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction [6:37] Encore Brokedown Palace [5:14]

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:

https://deadshow.blogspot.com/2026/04/dead-showpodcast-for-41026.html

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We roll into the Spring Tour of 1982 on this week's Deadpod, visiting Rochester, New York, where the boys always seemed to play a great show—and this one is no exception. They open with a jumping "Alabama Getaway" that slides into a tight "Greatest Story Ever Told." From there the feel shifts from an easy‑rolling "Dire Wolf" into a bluesy "C C Rider." The band takes flight on a soaring "Bird Song" that stretches out just enough to let you really sink into the jam. They move back into the barroom with "It's All Over Now" and a bruised "Loser." Following a raucous "New Minglewood Blues," the familiar refrain of "China Cat" kicks off a joyous ride into "I Know You Rider," closing out a smartly constructed, highly satisfying first set.

Grateful Dead Community War Memorial Auditorium Rochester, NY 4/9/1982 - Friday One Alabama Getaway [4:41] > Greatest Story Ever Told [3:58] Dire Wolf [3:12] > C C Rider [7:45] Bird Song [8:15] It's All Over Now [7:47] Loser [6:43] New Minglewood Blues [6:58] China Cat Sunflower [5:02] > I Know You Rider [5:23]

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:

https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod040326.mp3

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Nassau Coliseum, March 12, 1992 — and the second set is where the real action is. Bobby charges out of the gate with a muscular 'Saint of Circumstance' that rolls straight into a gorgeous 'Ship of Fools', with Vince's backing vocals elevating the whole thing. Then comes 'Corrina' — percolating along until Phil takes the wheel and steers them into a reprise of 'Playin' in the Band' from the night before, a rare thread connecting two consecutive shows. Drums and Space are worth the listen on their own tonight, before Phil drops the bass bombs that detonate into 'The Other One'. Jerry answers with an emotionally raw 'Stella Blue', and the set closes on a rocking 'Sugar Magnolia'. They come back for one more — a lovely 'It's All Over Now, Baby Blue', with Bruce Hornsby lending his accordion to the farewell.

Grateful Dead Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Uniondale, NY 3/12/1992 - Thursday Two Saint Of Circumstance ; Ship Of Fools > Corrina > Playing Reprise > Drums > Space > The Other One > Stella Blue > Sugar Magnolia Encore It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:

https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod032726.mp3

"Well, I sure don't know what I going for But I'm gonna go for it for sure (that's for sure)"

This week's Deadpod drops us into the Spring 1992 tour, catching the band at the Nassau Coliseum for a rockin' first set that showcases both Phil Lesh and Bruce Hornsby — in what would turn out to be Bruce's final tour with the band. The set runs a bit short, but that was pretty typical for the latter-day Dead. No matter — the band is in fine form. Phil kicks things off leading the charge on 'Greatest Story Ever Told,' followed by a rousing 'Bertha.' 'Stagger Lee' is another Lesh showcase, though the whole band locks in beautifully by the end. 'Beat It On Down The Line' opens with a full nine-beat intro before Phil delivers a genuine surprise — a standout vocal on 'Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues,' one of my personal favorite Dead covers. Bruce then steps forward on a heavy, honky-tonk-tinged 'Tennessee Jed.' The boys close out the set on a high note with a spirited 'Promised Land,' Bruce adding a nice solo to send everyone home happy.

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:

Grateful Dead Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Uniondale, NY 3/12/1992 - Thursday One Greatest Story Ever Told Bertha Walkin' Blues Stagger Lee Beat It On Down The Line Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues Tennessee Jed The Promised Land

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod032026.mp3

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This week on the Deadpod, we've got the second set from the Grateful Dead's Mardi Gras show on March 3rd, 1987. After the parade winds through, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band joins the boys for a loose and funky "Iko Iko." It takes a minute for everyone to sync up, but it's all part of the fun — you can feel how much they're enjoying themselves. The set really kicks into gear with "Saint of Circumstance," followed by a gorgeous "Terrapin Station." Out of "Drums" and "Space," the band fires up "Gimme Some Lovin'," then slides into a sweet "Wharf Rat," "Throwin' Stones," and a big "Touch of Grey" to close things out. Jerry trips up on a line during the "Brokedown Palace" encore, but the crowd — and the band — help him along. It's one of those perfectly human Dead moments that make this show fun to hear.

Grateful Dead Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center Oakland, CA 3/3/1987 - Tuesday Two Iko Iko [9:20] ; Saint Of Circumstance [6:53] ; Terrapin Station [12:32] > Drums [7:33] > Space [6:40] > Gimme Some Lovin' [5:05] > Wharf Rat [9:08] > Throwing Stones [8:42] > Touch Of Grey [5:34] Encore Brokedown Palace [5:26]

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod031326.mp3

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