Help on the Way

Knobfull - 5/11/79

The good old hockey game is the best game you can name, and the best game you can name is the good old hockey game. But a show by the Grateful Dead in a hockey arena has got to be a close second. Welcome back to the Help on the Way podcast. All three of our hosts are back, and this week Game, Fig and Knob are heading to the Billerica Forum in Billerica, MA for the Grateful Dead's May 11th, 1979 show. An audience tape of... mixed quality, much discussion abounds about the difference between Audience and Soundboard tapes. And the randomizer finally performs fan service by giving Dan the smoking Bertha he's been hoping for. Stay tuned for set 2 of this early Brent show. Mississippi Half Step > Franklin's TowerMama Tried >Mexicali BluesPeggy-OIt's All Over NowBrown Eyed WomenLazy Lightning > Supplication Shakedown StreetPassengerShip of FoolsEstimated Prophet > Eyes Of The World > Drums > Black Peter > I Need A Miracle > Bertha > Good Lovin'

Knobless - 5/9/81

Welcome back to the Help on the Way podcast. This week, our hosts Game and Fig find themselves in one hell of a town. It’s May 9th, 1981 and the Grateful Dead are playing at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY. Much discussions of the contributions of women in the music of the Grateful Dead, teases from Brent and Jerry, and the gorgeous gorgeous Brokedown Palace. And enjoy a nice preview of the second set.
 
Mississippi Half Step
Franklin's Tower->
Feel Like A Stranger
Bird Song->
Little Red Rooster
Candyman
Mama Tried->
Mexicali Blues
Looks Like Rain->
China Cat Sunflower->
I Know You Rider
 
Lost Sailor->
Saint Of Circumstance->
Ship of Fools
Estimated Prophet->
Eyes Of The World->
Drums->
Space->
Truckin'->
Black Peter->
Around & Around->
One More Saturday Night
 
E: Brokedown Palace
 
 

The Band Plays the HELL Out of the Midi - 6/6/91

Welcome back to the Help on the Way podcast! It's just after 10pm, which means you can drink if you want, and we can say whatever the 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘭 we want. And this week, our hosts Game, Fig and Knob have a lot to say about The Grateful Dead's June 6th, 1991 show at the Deer Creek Music Center in Noblesville, Indiana. Discussions of MIDI instruments, the size of the band, and really listening to each other. 
 
Jack Straw
They Love Each Other
Wang Dang Doodle
Row Jimmy
Black Throated Wind
Big Railroad Blues
Cassidy
Might As Well
 
China Cat Sunflower->
I Know You Rider
Estimated Prophet->
Uncle John's Band->
Drums->
Space->
The Wheel->
All Along The Watchtower->
Stella Blue->
Turn On Your Love Light
 
Box Of Rain

Jorma’s Stash - 5/18/68 and 3/1/75

This week on the Help on the Way podcast, the randomizer has decided our hosts Game, Fig and Knob tackle a double header- a short audience tape from 1968 taped by none other than Jorma Kaukonen, and some March 1975 demos from the Blues for Allah sessions. Discussion abounds about precision vs. energy, the history of Mountain Jam, and Primal Dead tape quality.
 
Alligator > 
Drums > 
Alligator
Caution > 
Feedback
 
Help on the Way > 
Slipknot > 
Franklin's Tower
Lazy Lightning
The Music Never Stopped
Jam
Franklin's Tower
Crazy Fingers

Every Blue Light Cheap Hotel - 8/30/81

Welcome back to the Help on the Way podcast. This week, our hosts Game, Fig and Knob are visiting a five-letter word for an Arizona College Town. It's August 30th, 1981, and the Grateful Dead are playing at the Compton Terrace Amphitheatre in Tempe, AZ. Our hosts are feeling a lot better about this week's show than last week's, especially with its second set full of Jerry ballads, strong playing, and slam-dancing.
 
Mississippi Half-Step >
Franklin's Tower
New Minglewood Blues
Tennessee Jed
Mama Tried >
Mexicali Blues
It Must Have Been the Roses
Beat it on Down the Line
Cumberland Blues
Looks Like Rain >
Might As Well
 
Samson and Delilah
Ship of Fools
Estimated Prophet >
He's Gone >
Drums >
Space >
The Other One >
Stella Blue >
Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad >
Good Lovin'
 
Don't Ease Me In

Don’t Tell Me This Town Ain’t Got No Heart - 4/30/81

Welcome back to the Help on the Way podcast. This week, Game, Fig and Knob shed their winter blues by heading down to Greensboro, North Carolina (metaphorically) for the Grateful Dead's April 30th, 1981 show. While it's far from anyone's favorite show, there are interesting discussions to be had about the transitions, lyrics, and ultimately what makes a good Grateful Dead show.
 
Jack Straw
Peggy-O->
CC Rider
Alabama Getaway->
Greatest Story Ever Told
Loser->
Looks Like Rain
China Cat Sunflower->
I Know You Rider
 
Shakedown Street->
Samson & Delilah
It Must Have Been The Roses
Estimated Prophet->
Eyes Of The World->
Drums->
Truckin'->
Black Peter->
Around & Around->
Johnny B. Goode
 
Casey Jones

She’s Got Everything Delightful - 5/11/72

Welcome back to Episode 3 of the Help on the Way podcast! This episode, our humble co-host Fig is away on vacation, so Game and Knob are left to play. And by play, we of course mean discussing the 5/11/72 Grateful Dead show from the Rotterdam Civic Hall. As part of the famous Europe 72 tour, they discuss the energetic first set and the jammier second set, anchored by (possibly) the longest Dark Star. Following the discussion, enjoy a preview of Set 2!
 
Playin' In The Band
Sugaree
Mr. Charlie
Black Throated Wind
Deal
Chinatown Shuffle
Mexicali Blues
China Cat Sunflower->
I Know You Rider
It Hurts Me Too
Beat It On Down The Line
Brown Eyed Women
Jack Straw
Big Railroad Blues
Good Lovin'
Casey Jones
 
Morning Dew
Me & My Uncle
Two Souls In Communion
El Paso
Tennessee Jed
Next Time You See Me
Dark Star->
Drums->
Dark Star->
Sugar Magnolia->
Caution (Do Not Stop on Tracks)->
Who Do You Love->
Truckin'->
Uncle John's Band
 
One More Saturday Night

Mother McCree’s Uptown Jug Champions - 9/20/70

In the second episode of the Help on the Way podcast, we are joined by three of our co-hosts, Fig, Game, and Knob. This week, the trio listened to the Grateful Dead's 9/20/70 show from the Fillmore East in New York City, Discussions of the tight acoustic set and the unique jams of the electric set, and how this show compares to late acoustic/electric Grateful Dead shows. 
 
Uncle John's Band
Deep Elem Blues
Friend Of The Devil
Big Railroad Blues
Dark Hollow
Ripple
To Lay Me Down
Truckin'
Rosalie McFall
Cumberland Blues
New Speedway Boogie
Brokedown Palace
 
Casey Jones
China Cat Sunflower->
I Know You Rider
Candyman
Sitting On Top Of The World
Good Lovin'->
Drums->
Good Lovin'
Big Boy Pete
Me & My Uncle
Easy Wind
Sugar Magnolia
Attics Of My Life
Mama Tried
Not Fade Away->
Caution (Do Not Stop on Tracks)->
And We Bid You Good Night

The Bus Came By and I Got On - 4/23/69

It's the premiere episode of the Help on the Way Podcast! The music may never stop, but it sure does start. This week, two out of our three co-hosts, Fig and Knob, discuss the Grateful Dead's 4/23/69 show(s) from The Ark in Boston, MA. Discussions of the oddball jams from the early show and the total party that is the late show. Enjoy a nice preview of the late show as well! 
 
He Was A Friend Of MineDark Star ->St. Stephen ->It's A Sin ->St. Stephen ->Cryptical Envelopment ->Drums ->The Other One ->Cryptical Envelopment ->Sittin' On Top Of The World ->Turn On Your Love LightMorning DewHard To HandleDoin' That RagAlligator ->Drums ->Jam ->The Eleven ->Caution (Do Not Stop On Tracks) ->Feedback ->And We Bid You Good Night