Podcast Episodes

Workingman's Dead 50, Episode 8: Casey Jones

Episode 8

DESCRIPTION: In our packed season finale, we explore how “Casey Jones” combined folk traditions and became an underground hit too risque for pop radio, hear a break down of the multi-track, discuss t…

Published on 5 years ago

Workingman's Dead 50, Episode 7: Easy Wind

Episode 7

DESCRIPTION: We explore how “Easy Wind” was the only song on Workingman’s Dead sung by Pigpen and the first Dead tune solely written by lyricist Robert Hunter, featuring rarely heard radio promo spot…

Published on 5 years ago

Workingman’s Dead 50, Episode 6: Black Peter

Episode 6

DESCRIPTION: With special guests Graham Nash and Rhoney Stanley, our dive into the Grateful Dead’s Workingman’s Dead examines how a mishap with an estimated $50,000 worth of LSD led to both the writi…

Published on 5 years ago

BONUS! Jerry Garcia: American Folkie

DESCRIPTION: A very Jerry bonus episode explores Jerry Garcia’s early ‘60s years in the Palo Alto folk scene and his progression from guitar strummer to banjo picker during a prodigious half-decade b…

Published on 5 years, 1 month ago

Workingman's Dead 50, Episode 5: Cumberland Blues

Episode 5

DESCRIPTION: We flip sides on the Grateful Dead’s Workingman’s Dead and explore why “Cumberland Blues” is a much stranger song than it might seem, chart the transformation into the so-called Bakersfi…

Published on 5 years, 1 month ago

Workingman’s Dead 50, Episode 4: New Speedway Boogie

Episode 4

We explore “New Speedway Boogie,” the last song on Side 1 of the Grateful Dead’s Workingman’s Dead, examining how the song grew from the disastrous 1969 free festival at Altamont headlined by the Rol…

Published on 5 years, 1 month ago

Workingman’s Dead 50, Episode 3: Dire Wolf

Episode 3

Our close listen to the Grateful Dead’s remastered Workingman’s Dead 50th anniversary edition continues with “Dire Wolf.” Album co-producer Bob Matthews reveals recording tricks. With David Nelson of…

Published on 5 years, 1 month ago

Workingman's Dead 50, Episode 2: High Time

Episode 2

The Grateful Dead’s masterpiece Workingman’s Dead song by song. For “High Time,” we look behind the purple door of Pacific High Recording with co-producer Bob Matthews and tour manager Sam Cutler, ex…

Published on 5 years, 1 month ago

BONUS! Bear Drops, Episode 1: What’s With the Bear(s)?

Episode 1

The first of our ongoing surprise BEAR DROPS, exploring the life and legacy of Owsley Stanley, the pioneer underground LSD chemist as well as trailblazing sound engineer for the Grateful Dead. With B…

Published on 5 years, 1 month ago

Workingman’s Dead 50, Episode 1: Uncle John’s Band

Episode 1

Join us for deep dig into the rich history of WORKINGMAN’S DEAD with album co-producer Bob Matthews and others, beginning with a close listen to “Uncle John’s Band,” including its surprising roots in…

Published on 5 years, 2 months ago