Don’s Pick: Back to the Polo Field – A Golden Gate ’69 Gem on Dead Set Live!

This week on Don’s Pick, Dead Set Live is taking you on another exhilarating trip back in time, directly to the heart of the Grateful Dead’s early mastery. As we continue our celebration of the band’s remarkable 60th anniversary, we’re zeroing in on a pivotal moment from the very same iconic location that Dead & Company are set to electrify this weekend!

Prepare to immerse yourself in the vibrant sounds of May 7, 1969, as the Grateful Dead graced the Polo Field in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA. This is more than just a concert; it’s a piece of living history, a sonic snapshot from a time when the band was truly hitting its stride, exploring new dimensions of improvisation and cementing their legendary live reputation.

This particular performance from the Polo Field is a treasure trove of early Dead energy, capturing the raw power and boundless creativity that defined their nascent years. It’s a testament to the spontaneous magic that could unfold when these musicians plugged in and let the music guide them.

Get ready for an unedited, authentic dive into a classic, as only Dead Set Live can deliver!

Set 1: An Explosive Journey Through Early Jams

• Turn On Your Love Light: Kicking things off with a high-octane blast, this track immediately sets a joyous, electrifying tone, showcasing Pigpen’s commanding presence and the band’s collective fire.
• Good Lovin’: The energy continues to build with this rhythmic powerhouse, a testament to their ability to transform R&B classics into extended, improvisational playgrounds.
• Dancin’ In The Streets: An early staple that invites movement and revelry, this rendition likely features the band’s signature blend of tight grooves and expansive instrumental exploration.
• Cryptical Envelopment: A journey into the mystical, this piece begins a multi-part adventure, hinting at the intricate narratives the Dead would weave through their sets.
• Drums: The rhythmic core takes center stage, an unchained moment of percussive exploration that was already a hallmark of their live sound.
• The Other One: Emerging from the percussive depths, this iconic jam vehicle promises a wild, unpredictable ride through psychedelic landscapes, showcasing the band’s telepathic interplay.
• Cryptical Envelopment (Reprise): Returning to the theme, the band circles back, completing the narrative arc with fresh improvisational twists.
• Dark Star: The cosmic heart of the Dead’s improvisational universe, even in ’69, “Dark Star” was a sprawling, ever-evolving beast, guiding listeners through vast, uncharted sonic territories.
• Me And My Uncle: A lively, country-tinged interlude that offers a moment of joyous Americana amidst the deep jams, proving their versatility.
• Hi Heeled Sneakers: A bluesy, foot-stomping number that allows the band to stretch out with gritty solos and a loose, infectious groove.
• The Eleven: Following “Dark Star,” this complex, propulsive instrumental ignites the energy, a dazzling display of their rhythmic prowess and collective improvisation.
• Smokestack Lightning: A fitting, blues-soaked finale that showcases the band’s roots and their ability to bring down the house with raw, unadulterated passion.

Don’s Pick this week is an essential listen for any Deadhead, offering a rare glimpse into the formative years of a band that would become a global phenomenon. Tune in to Dead Set Live and experience the raw, unadulterated energy of the Grateful Dead, live from the Polo Field, May 7, 1969!