Spring has sprung a bit earlier than usual here in the north, and it's a perfect time to break out the sweet, silky sounds of the Grateful Dead from 1977.. Here's a beauty from March 20, 1977 at the Winterland in San Francisco.

As usual its marked by the extremely smooth and intricate ensemble playing that characterize the year. The band is clearly paying attention to and responding to each other. I'd argue that every song in this first set has its moments - there's even a fun little Jerry run in El Paso. Deal builds and builds to a rousing climax. Cassidy shows off a beautiful arrangement highlighting every member's contribution to the whole. Peggy-O is slow and sweet, love Keith's piano here and Jerry has some runs I've not heard before.

It seems unfair not to single out each of these songs for their beauty..this is a remarkably nice recording as well, but I just want to also point to the stand-alone Scarlet Begonias that ends this first set.

Never miss a Sunday show )

Grateful Dead Winterland Arena San Francisco, CA 3/20/77 - Sunday One New Minglewood Blues [4:46] ; Ramble On Rose [7:35] ; El Paso [4:12] ; Deal [5:32] ; Cassidy [4:29] ; Peggy-O [7:15] ; Beat It On Down The Line [3:41] ; Brown Eyed Women [5:18] ; Estimated Prophet [8:01] ; Scarlet Begonias [12:45]

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod032621.mp3

Thank you for your kind support of the Deadpod!

"Like an angel, standing in a shaft of light Rising up to paradise, I know I'm gonna shine"