Dave’s Picks Volume 35: Philadelphia Civic Center, Philadelphia, PA 4/20/84

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July 16, 2020 - 9:34am

1,829 replies

clayv

Joined:
March 14, 2018

Sweet liberty! We're venturing into the depths of 80s Dead with the complete show from 4/20/84 at the Philadelphia Civic Center and we're placing bets you'll think this one is more than fine. A strong contender for our mega 30 TRIPS AROUND THE SUN boxed set, 4/20/84 missed the cut by virtue of its setlist being a wee bit too similar to the years before and after. As DAVE'S PICKS VOLUME 35, it's found its time to shine. The first set delivers yin yang harmony between Jerry and Bobby songs, yielding driven and powerful takes on tracks like "Feel Like A Stranger," "Cold Rain And Snow," and "Brown-Eyed Women." The second set begs the question - will we ever stop peaking? - with a monumental "Scarlet>Fire," a ripping "Samson and Delilah," a "Space" that pulls shapes that know no names, and that "Morning Dew" - get.in.to.it! And because this one might have ended just a little too soon, we've packed disc 2 and 3 with knock-your-socks-off bonus material from most of the second set from the previous night, 4/19/84. Grab ahold while you can!

Limited to 22,000 numbered copies, DAVE’S PICKS VOL.35: PHILADELPHIA CIVIC CENTER, PHILADELPHIA 4/20/84 has been mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman and is guaranteed to sell out.

*Limited to 2 per order. Very limited quantity available.

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October 2, 2020 - 7:57am

#341

JimInMD

Joined:
June 27, 2011

Agree w/ Daverock (and others)

... but it always seemed obvious to me, I am not surprised. I am ok with this pick. My wow factor is between 68 through 74. ..but I enjoy hot shows from all years and eras. I am familiar with these shows, I love their mid to late 80's take on Desolation Row for example, it's got a Dew, a Cumberland. We can't be surprised to see these shows get released.

What I do find surprising is where it is in the rotation and on the biggest subscription year so far. The marketing part of my mind thinks this will affect their ability to so gracefully hit the 22k mark next year, time will tell. I would go so far to say they probably could have done a better job mixing things up the last 9 years and could have done a better job mixing it up this year too. As unpredictability affects the stock market, it might just affect their subscription market. Finally, I really hope (wish) that if they are going to release more of these cassette masters that they do a little better job remastering them. #35 sounded 'pretty good' but I have to believe the more qualified (and considerate) posters here that warned it was not quite pitch corrected. I wonder out loud if there are issues with other aspects of the cleanup and restoration efforts in these years (dolby vs not etc).

Not a rant.. I am ok with this release just curious to the timing, etc. Did someone mention 12/18/1973? (hehe)
October 2, 2020 - 7:48am

#342

80sfan

Joined:
April 17, 2015

last release of the year

I might be reading this wrong, but i don't think it's fair to suggest Dave chooses potentially undesirable shows once people have paid their money. In fact he released some pretty amazing shows for the 3rd and 4th picks of the year:

#32 - March 1973
#31 - Dec 1979
#28 - June 1976
#27 - Sept 1983
#24 - Aug 1972
#23 - Jan 1978
#20 - Dec 1981
#19 - Jan 1970
#16 - March 1973
#15 - April 1978
#12 - Nov 1977
#11 - Nov 1972
#8 - Nov 1980
#7 - Apr 1978
#4 - Sept 76
#3 - Oct 1971

Again, i might be missing the point, but while this year is different in that there are back to back 80s releases, historically the 3rd and 4th picks of the year include some pretty amazing shows spanning the dead's history.
October 2, 2020 - 7:34am

#343

Jack_O_Roses 0420

Joined:
February 16, 2017

DaP's 36

If a 1987 show is to be the release for this episode of Dave's Picks, why didn't he choose the two nights BEFORE this, from Hampton? Great Googly-Moogly, the 03/24/1987 show has the most off-the-hook Terrapin EVER! If there was going to be a 1987 show released by this series, I was really hoping it would be this Hampton Show. I was there, that Terrapin had the entire crowd pushed to the back of the Coliseum like those old Maxell ads showing the music blowing the guy in the chair back.
October 2, 2020 - 7:32am

#344

icecrmcnkd

Joined:
October 20, 2015

Manipulative?

Daverock, do you feel that you have been taken advantage of?

I agree with your suggestion, Dave should pick a 1991 show for DaP 37 and announce it when early bird subscriptions start, and not announce what DaP 38 and the bonus disc are until April when it is ready to go on sale.
October 2, 2020 - 6:32am

#345

daverock

Joined:
September 1, 2014

Proof and pudding

It's always open to debate when you judge someone's motives on the basis on their actions. In this case, the honourable thing for Dave Lemieux to do would be to release two shows from the 1979-1995 timespan to open the season on Dave's Picks 2021. That would be an open demonstration that he genuinely believes shows from this era are as valid as the ones preceding it. If he goes back to 1969-1974, then...
Announcing all four shows to be released would be a bonus-but again, I think the reason this isn't done is because they are fearful that subscription numbers would drop if people knew what they would be shelling out for.
As I have said before-the 1960s are shockingly underrepresented in this series. Many unreleased great shows there, I would have thought.
October 2, 2020 - 6:11am

#346

Angry Jack Straw

Joined:
October 2, 2012

Dave and Heartbreak

Count me in as skeptical. This release seems like Dave’s gift to himself. I saw six shows of this tour, including the first night of Hartford. None of them were overly memorable. More like a few highlights here and there. Have not listened to any of that tour since seeing the shows. If I recall, 3/26 had a cool Midnight Hour/Cold Rain opener, a nice Birdsong and a high energy China/Rider.

Dave has done a superb job, but the supply of quality shows is certainly dwindling. I will give the subscription one more year and then likely revert to a la carte.

Seattle Kraken - not a huge fan of the name, but the jersey design is tremendous. They really look nice. By the way, congrats to the Lightning. Way to go Jon. You are a first class guy.
October 2, 2020 - 6:10am

#347

80sfan

Joined:
April 17, 2015

87?

Weird, i usually get the emails but apparently missed this one (better check that i'm still on their list).

If the next Dave's is indeed from 1987 i think that's cool. The boys were really energized in 87 and a quick glance at those set lists makes me pretty excited to hear it (must admit i'm unfamiliar with those shows).

Dave has always advertised that this series will represent every era of the band. It just took some time to ramp up the Brent era picks. There is some risk subscribing to a series where you only know 50% of the releases in advance. Some people hope and pray for no 80s shows, while others would like some variety from the usual 70s shows (no matter how great they are). After 36 picks i think it's safe to say there is something for everyone.

They are certainly making enough of these now where you can choose not to subscribe and still have a great shot at getting the releases you want (as long as you don't care about the annual bonus disc).
October 2, 2020 - 5:50am

#348

DeadVikes

Joined:
October 26, 2016

The Comeback

Jerry's comeback after the coma was one of the best stories of the 30 year run of the Dead. I feel for the people that don't like their music past (pick your year). Bob Weir considers the late eighties through Brent's passing some of the best playing they ever had, but what does he know??
#32 was from the Spectrum 3/24/1973. Oh and a great show.
October 2, 2020 - 5:18am

#349

simonrob

Joined:
June 7, 2007

Manipulative?

Daverock, I hope you are wrong about this. I think it is too early to tell, however, to support your theory, one of the last two releases from last year was from December '79 and all '80s releases have come in the second half of the year which suggests that indeed the potentially problematic releases are being released in the second half of the year, when nobody knows in advance what those releases will be. By problematic, I mean releases that were recorded on cassette tapes where the sound quality is barely acceptable or where Jerry's voice is so shot that it makes one cringe. We know that most of the top notch shows have already been released and it seems reasonable to assume that the great shows that are still to be released will come out in the first half of the year. It also seems reasonable to assume that this is due to the marketing policy of the Rhino bean counters. The bottom line is that Rhino are just another commercial enterprise and as such, making as much money as possible is the reason for their existence. Call me cynical if you like, but my cynicism comes from age and experience. Grumpy old men rule!
October 2, 2020 - 4:19am

#350

daverock

Joined:
September 1, 2014

Mr Heartbreaker- spot on

Your last post sums up how I feel about this release pretty well. 1987 after 1984 is taking the proverbial. The fact that Dave's Picks 37-and 38, for that matter-will quite likely be from stellar years underlines to me how manipulative this series has become. I feel like stopping subscribing - but then it wouldn't surprise me if 37 and 38 are from 1972 or 1969-with a bonus disc chucked with one of them. This will clearly be an attempt to keep people like me subscribing, and buying shows that they otherwise wouldn't buy. A la carte seems the way to go. I gave up smoking, so surely I can give up subscribing.

John Perry Barlow

John Perry Barlow

Forums

Dead Store Products

Sweet liberty! We're venturing into the depths of 80s Dead with the complete show from 4/20/84 at the Philadelphia Civic Center and we're placing bets you'll think this one is more than fine. A strong contender for our mega 30 TRIPS AROUND THE SUN boxed set, 4/20/84 missed the cut by virtue of its setlist being a wee bit too similar to the years before and after. As DAVE'S PICKS VOLUME 35, it's found its time to shine. The first set delivers yin yang harmony between Jerry and Bobby songs, yielding driven and powerful takes on tracks like "Feel Like A Stranger," "Cold Rain And Snow," and "Brown-Eyed Women." The second set begs the question - will we ever stop peaking? - with a monumental "Scarlet>Fire," a ripping "Samson and Delilah," a "Space" that pulls shapes that know no names, and that "Morning Dew" - get.in.to.it! And because this one might have ended just a little too soon, we've packed disc 2 and 3 with knock-your-socks-off bonus material from most of the second set from the previous night, 4/19/84. Grab ahold while you can!

Limited to 22,000 numbered copies, DAVE’S PICKS VOL.35: PHILADELPHIA CIVIC CENTER, PHILADELPHIA 4/20/84 has been mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman and is guaranteed to sell out.

*Limited to 2 per order. Very limited quantity available.

Oroborous - right on

Absolutely. Being critical is positive, not negative.

Minor Point

I can't speak for anyone else, but I'm getting Dave's Picks subscriptions to get complete shows regardless of the length of the show and I'm pretty sure this is the root of some of the disagreement here. If you are getting this to get as many minutes of music as possible, you're going to have a different view than if you are getting these just to get a complete show with each release. Personally, I haven't picked up several of the compilation Road Trips just because the compilation model doesn't really interest me at this point. I can't explain why this particular eccentricity afflicts me, but I guess you just dig what you dig, no need to overthink it and nothing against those who enjoy the compilation model. When I listen to the Dead it is almost always either a studio album or an entire show and any filler is typically just a distraction for me. Again, if you like the filler, don't take it personally that I do not. If this is an occasional thing with Dave's Picks it will be a minor inconvenience for me, and if it is a regular thing then it will diminish my enjoyment and interest in the series. That will mean more copies for those of you that do dig that format, so no harm done either way. You can chalk up my lack of interest in burning copies or programming the CD player every time that I listen to something to my Luddite tendencies.

As far as the fact this is an '84 show, that doesn't bother me a bit, I'm looking forward to having another show from '84 and as always, when I listen I'll know how much I like it. I'll take a full show from whatever year Dave Picks, that is not at all an issue for me. I don't know what makes someone a seasoned deadhead or not, and my guess is that 20 different deadheads will give you 20 different answers (isn't that cool?), so I'm not sure how enthusiasm for this release or the manner in which the filler was added correlates to someones internalized deadhead hierarchy, but if it helps anyone, feel free to think of me as a bad, bad deadhead for my criticism of the filler choices on this release.

Charlie3 and others

First I must state I was making a general statement after opening up this board for the first time and reading all 10 pages from stem to stern, for good or for ill. I’m sure I was reacting to a general vibe I felt (so that basically meaningless “I” ) I in no way meant any individual and especially not you! Your a long time favorite and often a voice of reason here.
In fact, I agreed with everything you said except the part about your not dead enough? I especially enjoyed the 20 DH’s will give you 20 different answers. That’s the shit I love and miss!

So to all I should clarify:
the “issues” seems to be
1- complete shows verses chop jobs
2- too much “dead” space
3- sequencing of said complete shows

Like most things there is not going to be a perfect fit, so the topic becomes how to achieve all of the above, or if not possible?...what then?
My clarification is complete shows (wouldn’t mind having to miss say one song if it’s a extra great show), but if there’s extra disc space, perhaps reasonably add extra material, especially in example, 9/2/80, which Dick said was all there was, and why he used it as filler...as far as sequencing, we’ll that’s probably more the issue, and it’s probably really contingent on how your listening. And that I’m not touching with a ten foot pole as how you dig something should be whatever is best for you, imho...

Happy Birthday Keith!!....

Oro

No worries Oro, I didn't see anything objectionable at all about your earlier post, just made me think there was probably a fundamental split in what people hope to get out of these releases, and I like posts that make me think, so thanks. The back and forth on these threads sometimes leads to exposure to different insights and sometimes some pretty funny shit. Which begs the question, where are the jokes lately? I'm talking to you Vguy72 (but in a totally nice, hey dig your jokes kind of way, not in any way to make anyone go all Travis Bickle on the situation). And don't be afraid to provide an explainer along with the jokes, took me a day to get the Thermos Tat joke. But I really enjoyed it all the more when I got it. Been on a serious time crunch lately, so my listening time has been pretty limited, but I am looking forward to the 2/21/71 show. But yeah, the mood around here lately makes it seem like we're in the middle of some sort of global pandemic or something...which would seem like the perfect time for some humor to me.

Edit: And thanks for the kind words Oro.

VGUY

Yeah, what’s up with the jokes dude?

I recently bought my pet duck a mask...

....to protect it from coronavirus.
Its nothing flashy, but it fits the bill.
Sorry. Thats all I've got for now.

Great 84 show

These 3 nights are great but the magic shows from that spring Tour in 84 were the second in Hampton and the Niagara Falls show. Those shows are amazing! The whole Spring tour was an amazing! People say that Jerry was off . I have to say that the Heads danced their butts off kicking down the floor seats and singing their lungs out! This was my favorite tour. Lots of love for the band and each other.

Well said Charlie3

I couldn’t have said it better, but I feel the exact same way.

Computer issues

Does anyone else have any issues seeing the description, track listing, & comments on a pc computer? I can obviously see this info on my iPhone, as I’m posting this now, but I can’t see any info for any of the products on Dead.net on my laptop.

Mustin321 Weirdness on Macs Too

I can't get to 'Comments' via the main 'Product' pages either (I tried unsuccessfully on Dave's 34 & 35 and WMD). It didn't matter if I was using Chrome, Firefox or Safari on my MacBook Pro – the links on the main 'Product' pages don't work – all that loads is the product image, Listening Party, Dave's Backyard Chat and dead* links to 'Description', 'Product Details', 'Track Listing', and 'Comments'. Weird. . . guess they'll get the links fired back up at some point. Onward.

* That's 'dead', not 'Dead' ;-)

the product listing

rolls over into a discussion thread. This is normal. And you can get back to the product listing with the link at the top left.

1984

So glad to see a show from a new year in this series! I had to play Augusta ME 10/12/84 to get the vibe going. Thanks again Dave!

is the Comments button on the product page

not working for some folks?

Has the site been hacked?

That's right Mayre, the pages on the instore items, description, product details, tracklisting, and comments have all been removed. It has been like it for a couple of days now.

VGUY72 This COVID-19

is driving people quackers........

Marye

I’ve had a few days where posts don’t show up right away, and one night I could post on one board, but not another, but couldn’t edit....and when I can go to the store and go to say Dave’s Picks for example, I can see comments, track listing, product details etc, but when you click on any of these nothing happens...

I have (obviously) been able to access this board by going to dead.net, not into the store, and community>>products>>Dave’s 35 etc...oh, I’m using an iPad if that helps/matters?

Thanks for your help as always!

Sydney

NICE!, look out senator, there’s a new hired gun in town....he’s a real clucker!
I know, weak sauce! Lol

Truckin79

Tell us more...
We were at 4/16 & 17 in the front row, but due to extreme Vegetable protein don’t recall much....think Niagara’s Falls was hot but don’t remember much of Rochester and haven’t really checked these out yet....
Where you there and if so what do you recall?

@ Mustin, MaryE and others RE: Computer Issues with Deadnet

I just came here to post the same thing. None of the products tabs (description, track list, comments, etc.) seem to be working on my laptop, but they do seem to on my phone.

Peace

Store Items problem

I tried to access the track listings for WD Deluxe the other day from the Store pages and it was not loading. Tried again just now and still not working. Here's a link to the faulty page where the Comments and other tabs don't work (PC laptop Windows 10 here): https://store.dead.net/special-edition-shops/workingman-s-dead-collecti…

Ditto

I had the same experience, the tabs for track listing, product details are there but nothing shows up under the tabs when I clicked on them, checked on my phone and everything worked. Hadn't checked back since it happened a day or two ago, but I just checked again now and had the same issue. I thought it was just me.

Mary

That's right. If i click on the Dave's Picks icon and get to the product page I see the 'Description', 'Product Details', 'Track Listing' and 'Comments' tabs, but if I click on any of them nothing happens.

The way I can get to the chat is to click on the thread directly from the homepage, under the 'Grateful Dead Community' section.

Nineteen-Eighty-Fourrrrrrrrrrr

"Someday they won't let you, now you must agree
The times they are a-telling, and the changing isn't free
You've read it in the tea leaves, and the tracks are on TV
Beware the Savage Jaw...of 1984"

But I digress....

Cued up 7/3/84--Starlight Theater to catch this 84 wave, and when Scarlet Begonias appeared I was like "alright, alright, alright...little Scar-Fire to add some boogie to my dull day"...but wait....,was it??..... it was....The Boys squeezed "Touch of Grey" in between for an unusual Scar>Touch>Fire. Sneaky good shit, I must admit.....

https://archive.org/details/gd84-07-03.aud.willy.14909.sbeok.shnf

Preceded by..

..We are The Dead

DAVEROCK

Diamond Dogs...first 8-Track I ever bought...weather in a packed car full of friends and smoke, or at keg parties hidden deep in the woods, we wore that mother out! Good times.....

84 Spring Tour

Yes Rochester was amazing right out of gate with Shakedown and like you the whole tour was dosed! I have listened to Niagara and still to this day one of my favorites. The Morning Dew from the second night at Hampton is killer. All the shows from Philly where excellent. Jerry looked bad but he played incredibly. I loved this spring tour.

1984 philly

I was there at that show!!! about 15 people back from the stage!!! still truckin!! lol

I for one...

...am ecstatic for this release. This is why I subscribe. Been waiting for This era to get tapped since Dick's Picks and From The Vault. Jerry's health issues aside his guitar playing was often transcending during this period.

On a side note was listening to the bonus disc from this years Jai Alai release. That PITB has everything in the jam. Goes from melodic, to minor key jamming then a brief subtle moment that suddenly becomes a crazy jam based on the chord progression similar to a heavy Slipknot type vibe into some melancholy wah wah back into the Playin theme. I think I fell in love with this version.

Robbz

Good times indeed ! Coincidentally, a few weeks ago I bought the red vinyl copy that came out on RSD last year, and it sounds amazing in that format - better than the recently remastered cd.

Sweet Liberty In Philly.

Thanks Mary! Website's workin' real good once more – existential free fall averted. . . Onward.

84

Been enjoying this show on the archive since this release was announced. All this talk about spring 84 has sent me on a mission to dive into more shows from this era, which reminds of the old days when listening to one show would send me down a rabbit hole of discovery. Would be really cool if one release per year was dedicated to the early-mid 80s.

Test, check

Put on your rocket shoes

People are strange; I just don't get this sort of thing.

Admittedly I am just a little disgruntled that they broke our website today! Get off my lawn you ....uh..... shoe... people types!

For this kind of money, the rockets better actually work:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nike-SB-Dunk-Low-Grateful-Dead-Green-PREORDER-…

Put on your rocket shoes

Ok I take it all back; I see now that these were designed with a zippered stash pocket in the tongue. Ingenious - that would have come in handy in the frisk line back in the daze.

Garcia #14

Is on the way! Yeah!!

Wadeocu

Dont forget the kangaroos high-top of the 80's with the hidden zippered stash pocket on the side kangaroo logo.

7 21 84

https://archive.org/details/gd1984-07-21.112806.beyer-senn.daweez.d5sco…

Shakedown Street
Little Red Rooster
Althea
Me and My Uncle
Mexicali Blues
China Cat Sunflower
I Know You Rider
Looks Like Rain
Might As Well

Cold Rain and Snow
Far From Me
Truckin'
Eyes of the World
drums
The Other One
Stella Blue
Around and Around
One More Saturday Night

Touch of Grey

4/20

Unless you're listening to this show on these bad boys, you're doing it wrong

https://gradolabs.com/headphones/limited-editions/item/124-hemp

(PS I have a pair of these now and they're awesome)

Shoes

Agreed, whats the deal with the hairy shoes? What if we had to enter a sweepstakes to be eligible to buy Dave's picks, or the next box set? I know that the shoe culture is huge in this country and people pay insane prices for limited edition shoes all the time, but surprised that dead culture has abutted that. C'est la vie.

Imelda Marcos

Now there is someone who knows a bit about shoes.

Lovely to look upon, Heaven to touch;

It's a real shame that they cost so much:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nike-SB-Dunk-Low-Grateful-Dead-With-Box-Orange…

Just wow ........

Imelda

I heard she got presale versions of all three through her connections....

Lovely To Look Upon, Heaven To Touch;

It's a real joke that they cost so much.

Just a pair of shoes. How does anyone have the nerve to ask prices like that. The evil face of greed and capitalism.

Think how bad you would feel if you stepped in dog shit whilst wearing them.

$3000

for the hairy shoes?! I feel like such an idiot. Here I've been collecting limited edition shows and box sets, but the money was in the shoes the whole time. It's like when Indy has to find the holy grail in the last crusade and you think its going to be the gilded one with all the jewels, but no, its the crappy plain cup over on the side behind all the cobwebs.

Nike 3rd party pricing....

.....I've seen some of their shoes go for a lot more that that on ebay. In the end, they're just shoes. The only shoes i would ever purchase that are over a hundred bucks are Birkenstocks.

If the shoe doesn't fit?

Last 5 favorite shoe songs:

Walk a Mile in My shoes Joe South
Travellin' Shoes Little Richard
Blue Suede Shoes Sid King & 5 Strings
These Boots are Made for Walking Nancy Sinatra/Megadeth
High Heel Sneakers GD

shoes

I don't know about you guys, but thanks to Covid and my work from home situation, I haven't actually worn shoes since march. Strictly flip-flops.

Re:

Right. Remind me what shoes are again.. it's been a while.

As for pricing, ski boots can get a little pricy.. but I am guessing in Vegas you might not know what I am talking about. You can sub birks for flip flops in 80's post for me too. And river booties I guess..

Walking to New Orleans/ Fats Domino

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=H1z45jVlM34. One of my favorite songs, I have never seen Fats Domino, Jim I believe you saw him. I was told he couldn't come to Calif. for some legal reason, don't know if that's true. My brother played this song on his radio show for a friend who passed to early back in 1981, that's what I relate this song to.

product sku

081227909321

Product Magento URL

https://store.dead.net/music/dave-s-picks/dave-s-picks-vol-35.html