Stormy Mondays: A Patient Grateful Dead Show

For a midsummer treat, this week we have a full Grateful Dead concert from April 19, 1984. While “patient” is a buzz word for great Phish jams, where the band takes the time to let the music develop on its own, it actually is a pretty good descriptor for this GD show. The Dead were in the midst of a huge tour that essentially stretched into the summer months and they were hitting everything just right. But rather than consolidating and heading right for the quickest path, they spread out while staying energetic, and came out with a super interesting and enjoyable gig.

The Bird Song in the middle of the first set is the best example of this approach — beautiful, meandering with intent, an absolute favorite version. The second set opens with a classic China > Rider, and a monster pairing of Estimated > Terrapin. The jam out of Estimated is simply brilliant, a totally engaging, shining piece of playing. Because this is a whole show, this week’s download is in three parts, the first set, the first half of the second and the end of the show. And don’t skip out on the Baby Blue; a tune that eventually became a dull encore, here in its youngest years is great. As always, enjoy!

• Grateful Dead – April 19, 1984: Pt. 1, Pt. 2 and Pt. 3

Part 1: Bertha, Greatest Story, Loser, C.C. Rider, Bird Song, Hell In A Bucket, Big Railroad Blues, The Music Never Stopped, Don’t Ease Me In

Part 2: China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider > Estimated Prophet > Terrapin Station > Drums

Part 3: Space > The Wheel > Wharf Rat > Sugar Magnolia, Encore: It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue