Happy Cinco de Mayo! As we roll into the first weekend in May, I wanted to bring out the customary tribute to the Kentucky Derby with a fine 'The Race Is On'. This show does that as well as pays homage to the new, fat, 'Here Comes Sunshine' release from Grateful Dead Productions (Here Comes Sunshine from Dead.net). This show does both, although it takes place in early spring of 1973, rather than in May.

This is a huge show - the first set alone has 17 songs that take over one hour and forty minutes of prime Dead. There are too many highlights to mention. As most of you know I love the sound of the band during this period. I invite you to pay attention to Bill's work here - it really sparkles!

Of course there is 'The Race Is On', and a nice 'Here Comes Sunshine'. But I enjoy Donna on 'You Ain't Woman Enough', and just when you think that they must need a break after a fine 'China>Rider' they roll into a 15 minute 'Playin' In The Band' to close the set..

Grateful Dead Utica Memorial Auditorium Utica, NY 3/21/1973 - Wednesday One [1:39:37] Bertha [5:32] Me And My Uncle [2:57] Wave That Flag [5:30] Looks Like Rain [7:35] Tennessee Jed [7:34] Box Of Rain [4:46] You Ain't Woman Enough [2:59] Jack Straw [4:37] Row Jimmy [7:38] Beat It On Down The Line [2:58] Here Comes Sunshine [8:05] The Race Is On [2:44] Loser [6:33] El Paso [4:09] China Cat Sunflower [7:18] > I Know You Rider [4:31] Playing In The Band [15:11]

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:

http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod050523.mp3

We'll enjoy set 2 next week...

"

"Well hop in the hack turn on the key Pop in the clutch let the wheels roll free Come on honey, let me sing them away Come on honey, let me sing them away Oh, honey, let me sing your blues away"